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Most of us know the basics like avoiding suspicious links or using strong passwords—but scammers are always evolving. Today’s fraud attempts are smarter, sneakier, and more convincing than ever. Staying a step ahead is the key to keeping your money and personal information safe.
Keep the following security tips in mind to help you guard your information, money, and give you peace of mind:
1. Watch Out for “Smishing” (Text Message Scams)
Phishing emails have been around for a while, but scammers are now texting too, and this is called smishing. You’ve probably received texts pretending to be from your bank, a delivery service, or even the IRS. These texts often pretend to be from your bank, a delivery service, or even the IRS. If you get a text that feels urgent (“Your account is locked!” or “Package delivery failed, click here”), pause before reacting. Legitimate companies won’t pressure you to click a link or share personal details via text. If you're unsure, call the company directly using the official number on their website. Not the number from the text.
2. Don’t Share Verification Codes
Multi-factor authentication (MFA) is one of the best protections against fraud, but scammers are getting sneakier. Some fraudsters call pretending to be from a financial institution or another legitimate business and ask you to “read back the verification code,” just sent to your phone. These verification codes are actually for hackers trying to log into your account. Keep your verification codes private.
3. Review Your Apps and Permissions
We install apps and often forget about them, but many continue to run in the background, gathering data or offering potential entry points for hackers. Outdated apps or apps with excessive permissions (like access to your contacts or location) can pose risks. Once a month, scroll through your apps and delete the ones you don't use. Check permissions for the rest, and if it doesn't make sense, turn it off.
We install apps and often forget about them, but many continue to run in the background, gathering data or offering potential entry points for hackers. Outdated apps or apps with excessive permissions (like access to your contacts or location) can pose risks. Once a month, scroll through your apps and delete the ones you don't use. Check permissions for the rest, and if it doesn't make sense, turn it off.
4. Be Wary of QR Codes in Public Places
QR codes are everywhere nowadays, from restaurant menus to flyers. It’s an easy way to view a webpage, but this is where scammers try to take advantage. They slap a fake QR code sticker over a real one, sending you to a malicious site instead. Only scan QR codes from trusted sources. If you're in doubt, manually type in the website instead of scanning. It might take a little longer, but it could save you a lot in the end.
QR codes are everywhere nowadays, from restaurant menus to flyers. It’s an easy way to view a webpage, but this is where scammers try to take advantage. They slap a fake QR code sticker over a real one, sending you to a malicious site instead. Only scan QR codes from trusted sources. If you're in doubt, manually type in the website instead of scanning. It might take a little longer, but it could save you a lot in the end.
5. Slow Down Before You Click “Urgent” Emails
Scammers know that urgency can cloud our judgment. Messages like “Act now!” or “Your account will be closed today!” are designed to panic you into clicking. Hover over links before clicking to see where they really lead. If it doesn't look right, don't click. When in doubt, contact the company directly from their official website.
Scammers know that urgency can cloud our judgment. Messages like “Act now!” or “Your account will be closed today!” are designed to panic you into clicking. Hover over links before clicking to see where they really lead. If it doesn't look right, don't click. When in doubt, contact the company directly from their official website.
6. Protect Your Wi-Fi (Yes, Even at Home)
Hackers love unsecured networks. Your home Wi-Fi is your gateway to everything from banking, work, streaming, and even smart home devices. If your Wi-Fi password is still “password123” or the one on the back of the router, it’s time to change it. Use a strong password with a mix of letters, numbers, and symbols. Even better, set up a separate guest network for visitors.
Hackers love unsecured networks. Your home Wi-Fi is your gateway to everything from banking, work, streaming, and even smart home devices. If your Wi-Fi password is still “password123” or the one on the back of the router, it’s time to change it. Use a strong password with a mix of letters, numbers, and symbols. Even better, set up a separate guest network for visitors.
7. Think Before You Share Online
It’s fun to celebrate life’s big moments on social media, but oversharing can give scammers clues to your security questions or financial accounts. For example, posting “Can’t believe my first car was a red Civic 10 years ago today!” could give away the answer to a common password recovery question. Enjoy posting, but be mindful of what information you might be giving away.
It’s fun to celebrate life’s big moments on social media, but oversharing can give scammers clues to your security questions or financial accounts. For example, posting “Can’t believe my first car was a red Civic 10 years ago today!” could give away the answer to a common password recovery question. Enjoy posting, but be mindful of what information you might be giving away.
8. Keep an Eye on Your Accounts
Small fraud attempts can be sneaky. Here’s how to spot them before they grow. Fraud doesn’t always come as one big, obvious charge. Scammers often start small, like a $1 or $2 transaction, to test if your account is active. If you don’t notice, bigger charges may follow. Check your accounts regularly through our Online or Mobile Banking. Report anything unusual right away.
Small fraud attempts can be sneaky. Here’s how to spot them before they grow. Fraud doesn’t always come as one big, obvious charge. Scammers often start small, like a $1 or $2 transaction, to test if your account is active. If you don’t notice, bigger charges may follow. Check your accounts regularly through our Online or Mobile Banking. Report anything unusual right away.
9. Update Your Devices Regularly
We all hit “Remind me later” when software updates pop up, but those updates often contain critical security fixes. Outdated phones, tablets, or computers are easier targets for hackers. Enable automatic updates so your devices always have the latest protections running quietly in the background.
We all hit “Remind me later” when software updates pop up, but those updates often contain critical security fixes. Outdated phones, tablets, or computers are easier targets for hackers. Enable automatic updates so your devices always have the latest protections running quietly in the background.
10. Be Cautious with Public Wi-Fi
Free Wi-Fi at coffee shops or airports is convenient, but it can also be risky. Hackers can intercept your activity on unsecured networks. Avoid logging into financial accounts or making purchases over public Wi-Fi. If you must, use a VPN (Virtual Private Network). A VPN creates a secure "tunnel" for your data, making it much harder for anyone nearby to see what you're doing online. Many VPN apps are easy to download and turn on with a single tap.
Cybersecurity doesn’t have to be complicated; it’s about making smart choices each day. Think of it like putting on your seatbelt: you hope you never need it, but you’re glad it’s there. Stay alert, trust your instincts, and remember, while you’re taking steps to protect yourself, we’re always working behind the scenes to keep your accounts secure.
Free Wi-Fi at coffee shops or airports is convenient, but it can also be risky. Hackers can intercept your activity on unsecured networks. Avoid logging into financial accounts or making purchases over public Wi-Fi. If you must, use a VPN (Virtual Private Network). A VPN creates a secure "tunnel" for your data, making it much harder for anyone nearby to see what you're doing online. Many VPN apps are easy to download and turn on with a single tap.
Cybersecurity doesn’t have to be complicated; it’s about making smart choices each day. Think of it like putting on your seatbelt: you hope you never need it, but you’re glad it’s there. Stay alert, trust your instincts, and remember, while you’re taking steps to protect yourself, we’re always working behind the scenes to keep your accounts secure.