We work hard to keep your personal information safe. There are several steps you can take to keep your information safe, too!
If you suspect fraudulent activity or have doubts about the authenticity of a site or communication you have received via any medium, please call your local GenFed branch.
Account Management
Monitor your transactions. Develop the good habit of monitoring your financial accounts (e.g. bank, credit card, retirement etc.) at least weekly through online, mobile, voice banking or the ATM.
Set up alerts. Set up alerts to notify you of activity on your accounts.
Password Tips
Create strong passwords. Never use publicly available information to create your password. Examples to avoid are common names or phrases, birthdates, social security numbers, etc.
Change your passwords frequently. Establish a routine where you change your password every few weeks to reduce the risk of a compromised account.
Avoid using password managers. Even though they may be convenient, password managers create a habit of not changing your passwords regularly and therefore make it easy to forget your passwords over time.
Keep your passwords/pin confidential. Under no circumstance will you be asked to provide it to your financial institution.
Fraud Prevention
Avoid clicking links. Never click on links or applications that you receive in e-mail, as those are common ways viruses, malware and malicious software are installed. We will never send you an email asking you to verify your account information or provide personal financial details. If you receive an email like that, do not click the link and please notify us immediately.
Make sure you’re secure. While using the Internet, verify use of a secure session (“https://” and not “http://”) in your browser’s address bar. This is your indication that the data being transmitted between your browser and your financial institution’s systems is securely encrypted.
Shut it down. The minute you suspect that your device is lost or stolen, notify your mobile carrier and suspend your service.
Security
Keep your device secure. Never leave your computer, tablet or mobile phone unattended when using any Internet banking, mobile banking or other financial services. After you have completed your Internet or mobile banking session, it is good practice to log off to ensure that the session is completed.
Use secure networks. Avoid using unsecured public wireless connections. If you must, then use VPN software to provide a secure “tunnel” within which to work. Turn off wireless device services such as Wi-Fi, Bluetooth and GPS when they are not being used.
Adjust your privacy settings. Statistics show that users of social networking sites experience a higher incidence of fraud. Use privacy settings on social networking sites to control who is able to access your personal information and do not accept “friend” requests from unverified parties.
Software
Use anti-virus software. There are many good anti-virus and anti-malware applications available for both your computer and your mobile device. Keep these products updated regularly so they can be effective.
Be prepared. If you have a mobile device such as a smart phone or tablet, ensure that you install software capable of remotely wiping the device should it get stolen or lost.
Choose trustworthy sources. Install mobile software only from the Android Market or the Apple App Store and never a 3rd party site. Android users should read the permissions requested by the application carefully and determine whether the permissions coincide with the alleged function of the application.
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