Fraud hits every day.
Blue Sky Bank can help

Why? Your passwords for each separate online account of any kind (bank, Amazon, Netflix, etc.) should all be different. This way, if a hacker gets access to one of your accounts, they won’t be able to get into your others.

‍
How? For a password to be as secure as it can be, you want it to have as many variables as you can. Each time you add a different variable, such as a number, symbol, or capital letter, this makes it monumentally harder for someone to crack it. A password such as Password123! May include all of the minimum qualities of a password. However, if we were to use lets say MyP4s$W0rD4462! Your password becomes so much harder to crack that it would hardly be worth trying.

A solid recommendation is to start with an uncommon word or phrase. Replace parts of that word with capital letters, numbers, or symbols to break up the simplicity. Each character you add makes it that much harder so if you can, stretch it out to as long as you comfortably could. Some websites also help you generate passwords for you.

Why? One layer of protection may not be enough. The more hurdles a fraudster must jump over to get to your information, the more likely it is they’ll stop trying.

How? Two-factor authentication includes verification codes, like a secret passcode sent to a cell phone in order to sign in, or biometric scanners like Apple’s Face ID. Nowadays, there are several apps and software companies that allow you to purchase authentication for your business and personal accounts. You can read more about these options here. Blue Sky Bank also offers this feature for business owners who send and receive wires and ACH via Online Banking.

Why? You never know who might be able to see the email you sent containing sensitive information. What if the recipient of your email is at a coffee shop, and leaves their laptop open while they order another latte?

How? Find another way to send this information, such as a phone call, but first make sure the request for information is legitimate. Keep in mind that banking institutions won’t ever ask for this type of information via email. Always call your bank or other institution to make sure they’re indeed the ones who requested this information from you.

Why? The faster you detect instances of fraud, like an unauthorized transaction, the more likely it is you’ll be able to recover the loss. By checking on your accounts daily and monitoring them in real time using alerts, you’re more likely to spot anything suspicious.

‍How? If you don’t bank online yet, sign up for this feature. Online banking makes it easier and faster to monitor your accounts because you can check your deposit accounts and lines of credit regularly to review transactions and look for errors or fraud, just as you would review a paper statement. Talk to Blue Sky Bank about getting access to our mobile banking app, or ask for help setting up text alerts so you receive immediate alerts on your phone when a transaction is made.

Why? That coffee shop internet isn’t reliable. Really, any public WiFi “hotspot” such as a hotel, library, or airport can be used by criminals to intercept your device’s signals and as a collection point for personal information. 

How? The bottom line, especially for sensitive matters such as online banking and activities that involve personal information, is to consider only accessing the Internet using your own computer with a secure, trusted connection, and to only connect laptops and mobile devices to trusted networks — like your home or business WiFi.

Why? Cybercriminals are good at creating fake emails that look legitimate but can install malware (computer viruses). These emails may look like they’re coming from a coworker, banker, or even a family member — but they’re completely fake. 

How? Either ignore unsolicited requests to open attachments or files, OR contact the person who supposedly sent the email (by phone or text, or a different channel than the email address currently being used) to confirm it came from them.

Why? Just because your smartphone tells you the name of the person or institution you’re getting a call from doesn’t mean that’s the actual person calling. Scammers use technology to “spoof” numbers so they can display a fake number or name on your Caller ID.

How? If you can help it, don't answer calls from unknown numbers. If you answer the phone and the caller, or a recording, asks you to hit a button to stop getting the calls, just hang up. Scammers often use this trick to identify potential targets.

Why? Fraudsters often rifle through people’s incoming and outgoing mail, especially envelopes that may contain checks, credit card applications or other potentially valuable information. 

How? Deposit outgoing mail, especially something containing personal financial information in the official Post Office collection boxes, hand it to the mail carrier, or take it to the local post office instead of leaving it in your home mailbox.

Before discarding credit card applications, cancelled checks, bank statements or other information useful to an identity thief, tear them up as best you can, preferably by using a paper shredder.

Why? Identity thieves can use social media sites in hopes of learning enough information about you to be able to figure out passwords, access financial accounts or commit identity theft. Identity thieves create fake profiles on social networks pretending to be financial institutions and other businesses, and then lure unsuspecting visitors into providing Social Security numbers, bank account numbers and other valuable personal information. Identity thieves also have created fraudulent profiles and then sent elaborate communications to persuade “friends” to send money or divulge personal information.

How? Avoid including information such as your birthday or the year you graduated college on your public social media profiles. Be wary of who you accept as a Facebook friend; make sure you know this person in real life.

Why? If your bank spots a suspicious transaction or issue with your accounts, they’ll need to contact you right away to either let you know or confirm it was really you who made the transaction. The longer it takes to get ahold of you, the less likely it will be that you can recover these lost assets.

How? When an employee with access to your business banking accounts leaves your company, notify your bank immediately to have them removed from all authorizations. Regularly check to see who within your company has access to bank credit cards, accounts, and any other authorizations to make sure everyone who currently has access is supposed to.