Keep Your Bank Accounts Cybersafe
Be Cybersmart – Cybersafe – Cyber-aware

It's no surprise that cyber-attacks on online financial accounts are increasing year over year.

Cyber criminals are working overtime to create new attacks and find the vulnerable to prey upon. To ward off the chances of getting attacked and losing personally identifiable information and your money, you must practice safeguards and be vigilant in watching your accounts. 

Practice Password Security

You’ve probably heard this before, but it bears repeating -- strong (or hard to guess) passwords are the first line of defense for protecting your accounts. Create strong passwords by using upper- and lower-case letters, numbers, and special characters. Use a password manager and two methods of verification (see 2-factor Authentication below). Also, periodically change or update your passwords. Using the same, or very similar, passwords for several online accounts can be less secure because if one account's password is compromised, then chances are the other accounts can be hacked, also.

Passwords are not the only way to access some accounts. Some use PINs or biometric scans, e.g., fingerprint scanner or facial recognition. If this is available, use it for greater security. 

Use 2-factor Authentication

After entering a password to access your account, you may receive a text or phone call with a unique numerical code. This is called 2-factor authentication and it helps with a double layer of protection. If 2-factor authentication is available on your account, take the time to set it up. 

Check Your Accounts Often

Periodically look your accounts, check your balance, and look at withdrawals for anything you don't recognize. Set up eAlerts to notify you when deposits, withdrawals and low balances happen. You can also receive emails or texts when activities occur on your account such as a change in the address or phone number, password is updated, etc. But you typically do not receive these alerts unless you sign up for them. For Skyward’s online and mobile banking, it’s easy to select which alerts to receive under Services -> eAlerts -> Add a New Alert.

Be Aware of Current Scams

Being cybersmart starts with awareness of current cyber threats. We make this easy for you on the Security Center on skywardcu.com. Stay informed on the latest scams with articles that educate you on how to identify risks and apply safeguards to your accounts to protect your identity and money. On this web page, sign up for the Stickley on Security newsletter to get the latest cybersecurity news in your inbox.

Things to Remember

Don’t share PINs or passwords. The government will not call, text, or contact you via social media about owing money. A bank or credit union will never ask for your PIN, password, or verification code for your account in a text message or phone call. Scammers may try to provoke financial fear in you by calling with work-from-home-opportunities, debt consolidation offers and student loan repayment plans. Don’t be afraid to hang up on them or delete the message.

If you ever suspect fraudulent activity on your Skyward account, please contact us immediately at 833.759.1941 to report it. You can also report it to your local law enforcement and the FTC at reportfraud.ftc.gov/#/.