Tips for Safe Online Banking
To access Internet Banking you must use the User ID and password that you established when you signed up for and established your internet banking account. It is your responsibility to safeguard the ID and password. Anyone to whom you give access to, will have full access to your accounts. Anyone with access to your account can make transfers between qualifying accounts, obtain information that is available for those accounts and obtain other services that are available.
To Reduce Risks on Internet Banking:
- Block cookies on your Web Browser: When you surf the web, hundreds of data points are being collected by the sites you visit. They get mashed together in you “digital profile” which is then sold without your consent to companies around the world. By blocking cookies, you’ll prevent some of the data collection about you and stop some pop-ups. It’s just a smarter way to surf the web.
- Don’t put your full birthdate on you social networking profiles: Identity thieves use birth dates as part of their craft, just put month and day, leave off the year.
- Don’t download apps from outside the US. An app maker in the US if probably safer and leaves your with more recourse.
- Use multiple usernames and passwords. Keep the ones for your banking separate from the social networks and shopping sites.
Tips for a Safe, Secure Online Shopping Experience
- Make sure your computer and browser are secure. Set you firewall, anti-virus and anti-spyware software to automatically update and scan your computer.
- Don’t create passwords that include easily accessible personal information, such as mother’s maiden name or date of birth. Instead, use something unique that only you know.
- Don’t give personal information over the phone, through the mail or on the Internet, unless you know whom you are dealing with and preferably only if you’ve initiated the contact. Never give out your Social Security or driver’s license numbers. If you must share personal information, confirm that you are dealing with a legitimate organization.
- If you receive an email asking for personal information, do not hit the reply button or click on any link in the email.
- Shop only on secure sites with an “s” in the URL (https://) and a closed padlock icon on the Web page.
- Always double check the URL to be sure you are shopping with the company you intended to shop with, a simple typo can help identify fraudsters.
Being a Savvy customer
DO…..
- Be on guard for phishing scams
- Shred all personal and financial information, such as bills, bank statements, ATM and credit card receipts and credit card offers
- Keep your personal documentation (birth certificate, Social Security card, Passport) and all your banking and credit card records in a secure place.
- Call the post office immediately if you are not receiving your mail. A thief can forge your signature and have your mail forwarded to him.
- Be aware of your surroundings when entering your PIN at an ATM
- Limit the number of credit cards and other personal information that you carry in your wallet or purse. Keep a copy, front and back of everything you carry, in case it is lost or stolen, you have the phone numbers to call and report the loss.
- Cancel all inactive credit card accounts. If you request a replacement card and you do not receive it, call the bank or the credit card company to cancel it.
- Review your credit reports annually.
- Match your credit card receipts and debit card receipts against monthly statements and report unauthorized charges immediately.
DON’T…
- Volunteer any personal information when you use your credit card or bank account
- Give your Social Security number, credit card number or bank account number over the phone, unless you have initiated the call and know who you are doing business with.
- Leave receipts at ATMs, bank counters or gas pumps
- Leave envelopes containing you payments or checks in your home mailbox for pickup. Drop these at the post office
- Keep a record of passwords and PIN numbers in your purse or wallet
- Disclose bank account or credit card numbers, or other personal financial date on any web site or online location unless you receive a secure authentication from the site.