Holiday shopping is in full swing, and unfortunately, so are holiday scams. This season, protect yourself and your loved ones by following smart online safety practices. Here are some essential tips to keep your holiday shopping secure and joyful:

Allan Sevier, Mid-Rivers Trustee, has announced his retirement from the Mid-Rivers Telephone Cooperative, Inc. Board at the end of 2025.

Imagine waking up to a digital nightmare: your identity stolen, your accounts drained, and your privacy invaded by unseen forces. The aftermath of a security breach can be as terrifying as a haunted house – months, even years, spent cleaning up the gory mess left behind by online tricksters.

In today’s connected world, protecting your digital presence is more important than ever. From online shopping to social networking, every action leaves a digital footprint that could be exploited by cybercriminals. These simple habits can reduce your risk and boost your online safety.

Mid-Rivers customers are invited to submit up to five (5) entries each in the Mid-Rivers 2025 Photo Contest. The winner will be featured on the front cover of the Mid-Rivers 2026 Montana/Dakota Regional Telephone Directory. The top five submissions will receive a Mid-Rivers Swag Bag and the top submission will receive a one-time $100 bill credit! 

Mid-Rivers Telephone Cooperative, Inc. is excited to announce it recently released capital credit retirements to patrons totaling $2,090,583.26 for 2025, reflecting portions of the 1996, 1997 and 2024 patronage allocations. Retirement and payment of capital credits is made only if the financial condition of the cooperative permits, as determined by the Board of Trustees. This year’s larger than normal payout is a testament to the strong position of the cooperative.

Dangers are lurking everywhere in your email inbox. The steps you take to navigate that minefield are your last line of defense against the theft of your personal data, your money, and your identity. Before opening that inbox, remember these critical tips:

If you are online, at least one of your account passwords is likely already in the hands of a hacker.  If you’ve been guilty of using the same password for every account for years, you are an easy mark for bad guys. Secure your world from the hassle of hacked accounts – and the threat of big financial losses – by upping your password security game now with these simple tips!

Phishing emails and texts are everywhere, and their impacts are very real. Customers in our area have recently been victims of phishing scams that allowed the scammers to take money from the customers’ bank accounts. This starts with a customer clicking a fake link or opening a fake attachment in a message that appears to be from Mid-Rivers or other utilities, from your bank or credit union, or from another reputable business with whom you may have a real business relationship.

Last week in Lewistown, Mid-Rivers Communications had the great pleasure of awarding $19,000 in additional scholarships to 19 unique, respectful, and engaged young people at our 2025 Annual Meeting.

Awarding scholarships is always our favorite time of year. Our Chief Brand Officer Staci Knuths hit the road this year to personally congratulate over 100 of the 120 competitive scholarship recipients who received $195,000 in scholarships.