Protecting Your Data Privacy
With everything shifting to digital, it is more important now than ever to protect your financial assets. It is our goal to help safeguard your personal information and keep your digital financial information secure. We have put together the following tips as a guide to help protect you as digital transactions continue to rise.
- Create a strong password. Avoid common passwords like “123456” or “password”. Consider using a phrase, a combination of uppercase and lowercase letters, numbers and special characters and the length should be at least 8-12 characters.
- Watch out for phishing scams. A phishing scam is a fraudulent attempt where a hacker sends an email or text message that appears to be from a legitimate source. This is used to trick a person into revealing sensitive information in an attempt to steal money or to gain online account access.
a. Always verify email addresses and URLs for authenticity.
b. Never click on links or attachments from unknown sources.
c. We will never ask for personal information through text or email. - Monitor your accounts frequently. This will ensure that any unauthorized activity will be caught right away.
- Sign up for CardValet. This will give you the ability to receive alerts when your debit card is used, approved and exceeds transaction amounts that you control. Find out more here.
- Report suspicious activity immediately. If you notice any failed password attempts or irregular activity, call us right away. The sooner we can address the fraudulent activity, the better.
- Use Secure Wi-Fi. Before accessing online banking be sure you are on a secure Wi-Fi network. Using public Wi-Fi can expose your personal data to hackers.
- Keep your devices updated. Enable automatic updates to ensure that your devices stay secure.
- Don’t overshare on social media. By providing information like pet names, your address and birthday, you potentially give hackers more information to guess passwords or answer security questions.
- Make sure your Mobile Banking app is secure. Be sure to download the app using the links on our website. For added security, set up fingerprint or facial recognition and be sure to log out after each session.
- Stay up to date on the latest scams. Take advantage of the many different free resources available that will inform you of the latest tactics used by fraudsters.
a. https://www.sans.org/newsletters/ouch/
b. https://www.cisa.gov/
Education and awareness are vital in protecting your online finances. By following the tips above, you can reduce the risk of cyberattacks. And as always, if you have any questions or suspect any type of fraud, please contact us directly.
