Online Banking Fraud Prevention Best Practices
With cybercrime continually on the rise, consumers and businesses that use computers and electronic devices for doing business, shopping, banking, and social networking need to take extra precautions to stay safe online. Consumers can also take steps to be web wise in Online Banking and in other activities they perform online:
User ID and Password Guidelines
- Create a “strong” password with at least 8 characters that includes a combination of mixed case letters, numbers, and special characters (
!@#$%&). - Change your password frequently.
- Never share username and password information with third-party providers.
- Avoid using an automatic login feature that saves usernames and passwords.
General Guidelines
- Do not use public or other unsecured computers for logging into Enhanced Business eBanking.
- Users should check the last login date/time every time they log in.
- Review account balances and detail transactions regularly (preferably daily) to confirm payment and other transaction data and immediately report any suspicious transactions to your financial institution.
Beware of Email/Text Scams
Criminals are soliciting customers by email and text messages in an effort to illegally obtain personal information. The email address and the website address may appear almost identical to those of legitimate financial institutions.
The email or text will claim that there is a problem with an account and will provide a link to a site that may look authentic. You will be asked to input personal information such as bank account numbers, PINs and a Social Security Number. These emails attempt to trick customers into supplying sensitive personal data. This fraudulent practice is often called "phishing" or "spoofing." Learn more about phishing from the Federal Trade Commission: "How to Recognize and Avoid Phishing Scams"
IMPORTANT! If you receive an email requesting personal information, you should not provide it or click on a link - even if it looks like the request comes from a legitimate website. Instead, contact your real financial institution's website or call them directly.