Monitor your credit 

Keeping an eye on your credit score can help you detect fraud early. Unexplained changes in your score might indicate that your information has been compromised. You can get a free report annually from each of the credit reporting bureaus. And RMCU’s online banking platform gives members access to SavvyMoney, which can give you a real-time snapshot of your FICO score, right from your phone or computer. Keep a close eye on your accounts, too, and be ready to cancel cards or report fraudulent transactions if you need to. 

Up your password security 

The standards for password security are often changing to keep up with what hackers are able to break through. There are a lot of password managers out there that can suggest strong passwords for you. But in general, the longer a password is, the better—think passphrase instead. A mix of lowercase, uppercase, numbers, and characters is best, and you want to avoid passwords that have personal information like names and birthdays. You should also have a unique password for each account and remember to change your passwords often! 

Choose two-factor authentication

The more layers of security, the harder it is for hackers and scammers to get into your accounts. You’ve probably seen two-factor authentication, where sites will text or email a code to verify your identity. You can also download apps that offer an even more secure experience, since scammers can spoof phone numbers and enroll false ones. 

Be wary of calls from unknown numbers 

You might be surprised by the information scammers can take from a short phone call. If you think an incoming call is a scam, hang up, and block the number. Don’t give out your banking details or other personal information over the phone unless you initiated the interaction and trust that you’re calling the right business or institution. Your financial institution shouldn’t call you and ask for account info or sensitive personal information without warning, so if you get a call, hang up and call the number listed with your account to verify. 

Sign up for fraud alert 

If you’re worried that your personal info may have been compromised or stolen, signing up for a monitoring service might be the best option for you. Credit monitoring keeps a daily watch on your credit, notifying you of any changes that might result from fraudulent activity. It gives an even closer look than your own quarterly monitoring when you pull your credit report, providing an extra layer of security. 

Guard your personal information 

Protect personal information like your full name, address, social security numbers, account numbers, and passwords like it’s made of gold. And that goes beyond not just giving it out over the phone. It means being ready to freeze your cards if you lose your wallet. It also means choosing institutions you can trust. Find a credit union that takes security seriously. RMCU is committed to protecting you and your money, maintaining the highest standard of information security. 

There’s a lot you can do to help protect yourself from fraud. But you don’t have to do it alone. RMCU is here to help keep your information and money secure, with enhanced security measures and a neighborhood focus. Open an account and enjoy the benefits of a community credit union.