How to Protect Yourself Online

Criminals are finding new ways to target consumers online every day. You can control the risk of being a victim of online attacks by following these simple steps:

• Never share your login credentials or passwords with anyone for any reason.

• Use different and complex usernames and passwords for each app and website you access. When you repeat the same password across multiple accounts, it makes it that much easier for someone else to access your accounts should your login credentials ever get compromised. Your digital banking login ID and password should always be different from any other login ID and password you use anywhere else.

• Use strong, randomized passwords. Complex passwords, as recommended by security experts, include a combination of uppercase and lowercase letters, numbers, and special characters, and are at least 12 characters long. And you should never use identifying information in your passwords, especially information that can easily be found online. This includes parts of your name or birthday, the name or birthday of family members or pets, or current or past addresses. You should also never include any portion of your Social Security Number, financial account number, or credit card number in any passwords.

• Change your usernames and passwords on a regular basis. Security experts recommend that you change your passwords every few months. This might seem inconvenient, but in addition to not using the same login credentials on every website, changing your usernames and passwords on a regular basis will limit your exposure and risk of being the victim of an online attack. You can change your Digital Banking passwords anytime using our Forgot Password self-serve form.

• Do not give anyone your secure access codes. Secure access codes are used as an additional means to verify you when you’re logging in or completing various transactions in digital banking. These codes are for your use only. If someone is asking you to provide a secure access code, you should report it to the credit union immediately.

• Be mindful of what you share even when you don’t think you’re sharing personal information, you still could be. Most of us have seen those fun “getting to know you” type of posts that circulate on social media, where you’re asked to share the name of the street you grew up on, your children or pets names, your mother’s maiden name, etc. While this information may seem harmless, it’s not just fun and games when this information falls into the wrong hands. These are common security questions and answers, which could be used to access your accounts. It’s best not to share these types of posts or information at all.

• Do not open email attachments or links from unsolicited sources. This is a trap used by criminals to take over your devices and gain access to your personal information. If you don’t know the source of the email, aren’t expecting something, and haven’t requested information, it’s a best practice to delete that email.

• Log Off or close your browser. Never stay logged in to Digital Banking, or any website. When you’re done, log off. This will help prevent anyone else from accessing your information.

• Do not register a device that you do not use regularly or is not on a secure network.

• Monitor your account history for unauthorized charges. If you see something you’re not sure about, ask us.

• Shred unwanted sensitive documents, such as, expired cards, checks and receipts.

Your security online is a priority for us, and it’s much easier to protect your accounts when we work together. For more security and fraud tips, watch our Scams and Fraud playlist on YouTube, or review our Security and Fraud information online.