Do A Lot Of Online Shopping? 4 Strategies For Protecting Your Banking Information
Your bank account is one of your most important assets. As such, you need to protect it from theft. Unfortunately, in this day and age, that can be difficult. This is particularly true if you actively participate in online banking activities such as bill paying and shopping. Each time you enter your banking information, you run the risk of having that information stolen. That doesn't mean you have to stop participating in online banking altogether. It just means that you need to practice a bit more diligence while you're online. Here are four simple steps you can take to protect your online banking information.
Avoid Non-Secured Sites
If you enjoy the ease of online shopping, you need to take a moment to protect your banking information. Before you start shopping, be sure the site you've chosen is secure. Take a look in your task bar. If the site is secure, you'll see a small padlock. This is the symbol that will ensure you're shopping is safe and secure. If you don't see the lock, don't shop.
Say No to Speedy Check-Out Options
If you do a lot of online shopping, you've probably been asked if you wanted to save your banking information for speedy check-out. Don't do it. The few minutes you save by saving your banking information may end up costing years of heartache should their website get hacked. Protect your security by inputting your banking information each time you make a transaction.
Change Your Password
If you can't remember the last time you changed your password, or you have the same password for everything, it's time for a change. All a hacker has to do to destroy your financial stability is grab your password. If you use easy-to-remember passwords – such as birthdates or anniversaries, or you use the same one for everything, you've made a hacker's job much easier. When choosing passwords, use a combination of upper and lower case letters as well as numbers and special characters like exclamation points.
Check Your Banking Information Often
Finally, be familiar with your banking activity. Don't wait until you receive your bank statement each month. By then it might be too late to stop the damage caused by fraudulent activity. Protect your assets by checking your banking information at least once a week. Notify the bank immediately if you see activity that you're not familiar with.
If you spend a lot of time on the internet, you need to make sure that your banking information is protected. The strategies provided here will help you protect your online banking information and prevent banking fraud.
For online banking, consider an institution such as TruPartner Credit Union.