With so many new methods for cybertheft, it’s important to remember to take extra steps to protect bank accounts and money this holiday season, as criminals look to take advantage of the increased spending activity.
There are steps people can take to protect their identity and wallet. Some tips for more secure holiday spending are:
• Create unique PINs for debit cards, as well as complex usernames and passwords for bank accounts and online retailers. Never share this information with anyone, and be sure to log out of accounts when transactions are completed.
Conduct personal business on home computers or personal devices, as opposed to public Wi-Fi, and always use a secure Internet connection.
• Manage privacy settings on mobile devices and apps. Review the privacy disclosures for retailers and websites to ensure feeling comfortable with the way they use personal information.
Set mobile devices and computers to lock when not in use to prevent someone from getting access to personal data.
• Before responding to any requests for personal or financial data, ensure that whoever is asking it is required to have it, and why they need it. Be extra careful of requests made with an urgent or threatening tone, or an offer that sounds too good to be true.
Criminals use this trick to get personal information to access accounts or commit identity theft.
• Monitor accounts and spending activity frequently. Take advantage of banking features, such as alerts that trigger when someone has a low balance or unusual spending activity.
“Many banks provide mobile banking apps that allow you to keep tabs on your account activity on the go,” said Diane Morais, an executive with Ally bank. “In addition to their convenience, mobile apps are an excellent resource to spot unusual transactions in a timely manner.”
• Online shopping is an easy way to beat the crowds at the mall. But before providing credit or debit card information, ensure that computer protection software and operating systems are up-to-date.
Look for “https” in the Web address field of browsers to ensure a website is secure. The site should be verified by a data security service.
• Check credit reports periodically. Getting a free credit report is easy. During the holiday season, it might be worth the extra precaution to put a fraud alert on credit reports before any new accounts can be opened.
Don’t let cybercriminals ruin seasonal holiday cheer. Take steps to protect yourself for a happier holiday season.
– StatePoint
