10 Banking Security Tips: Offline & Online

Safeguarding your personal and financial information is becoming more and more important both in-person and on the internet. Online threats like phishing and malware are a growing concern, but offline vulnerabilities such as stealing ATM PINs and physical documents remain significant concerns as well. Continue reading to discover 10 essential banking security tips to ensure both online and offline protection.

5 Tips For Safe Banking Offline

It’s easy to overlook the importance of traditional offline banking security tips, especially when most people have turned to online banking for their finances. Physical banking spaces and paper-based transactions can pose various risks. 

Being aware of these dangers and knowing how to spot them can go a long way in keeping your identity and financial information secure. Below, we’ve outlined 5 tips for safe banking offline.  

1. Secure Your Financial Information

Oftentimes, scammers pretend to be your bank or another reliable financial institution to get you to reveal confidential information. Legitimate banks rarely ask for your full credit card number, Social Security number, or date of birth over the phone or in an email. If you get an unexpected call from someone claiming to be from your bank, ask them for their identification to ensure it’s not a scam. 

Additionally, never write down your passwords, ATM PINs, or credit card numbers. If you don’t feel confident in memorizing this information and need to write it down, consider putting it in a secure location such as a safe or lock box. 

2. Leave Important Documents At Home

A simple but crucial tip for safe banking offline is keeping important documents such as your birth certificate, Social Security card, or passport at home when possible. Keeping these documents in a secure place — preferably in a safe or lockbox — limits the risk of you misplacing them or having them stolen. 

If you are going to an appointment where you need to bring important personal information or identification, try to only bring one form rather than all documents and be attentive to where they are located at all times.

3. Collect Your Mail Every Day 

Collecting your mail daily is another essential banking security tip to protect your personal information. In some cases, identity thieves or scammers target mailboxes to steal items that contain sensitive or personal information. If you’re traveling or can’t pick up your mail every day, consider asking a friend, family member, or trustworthy neighbor to collect your mail. 

To further reduce risk, you should mail important letters directly from the post office. Remember, stolen mail not only puts you at risk of identity theft but also could lead to missed payments or other urgent needs. If you think that a piece of your mail, including a payment, has been lost or stolen, be sure to report it to your bank right away.  

4. Shred Important Financial Information

Similarly to stealing your mail, identity thieves can go through your trash to search for important documents like bills, bank statements, and more. Shredding any documents that contain sensitive financial information, such as your Social Security number, when you’re done with them can eliminate this risk. 

If you don’t have a paper shredder, try destroying the papers another way to make them illegible or unusable to anyone who may find them. Another tip for safe banking offline is to cut up any old or unused credit cards. You can even put the broken pieces into separate garbage bags to be extra cautious. That way, even if someone finds one piece, they won’t have them all.

5. Review Transactions & Credit Reports 

Carefully review your bank statements and transactions at least every month. This banking security tip will help you stay on top of your finances and spot any suspicious activity before it’s too late. You should also check your credit report regularly for any unauthorized transactions or incorrect information. Remember, if you do notice any irregular activity, you must report it immediately. The sooner you let your bank know something is wrong, the faster it can help address the issue. 

5 Tips For Safe Banking Online

Online banking has made a lot of progress in the last few years. While it’s often seen as a more convenient way to handle finances, it’s important to remember that, like traditional banking, online banking comes with its own risks. 
Staying vigilant is the best way to ensure you don’t become a victim of identity theft, fraud, or scams. In the following section, we’ll provide 5 tips for safe banking online you can use to keep your information secure.

1. Create Strong Passwords & Usernames

When it comes to banking security tips, choosing the right username and password is key. In the past, people typically used a word or phrase for their password, but now, those are often easy for scammers or hackers to guess. 

The best way to keep your account secure is to use a passcode with eight or more characters (including letters, numbers, and symbols). Additionally, you shouldn’t repeat any user IDs or passcodes. This makes it more difficult for someone to get into your account.

2. Keep Your Devices Secure

Before signing into any banking app or website, make sure your devices are secure. You can do this by installing and regularly updating anti-virus software. It’s also recommended that you only access your bank account when you’re on a secure network. For example, stay away from using public WiFi. 

You should have unique passwords on all of your devices, including your computer and phone. Taking advantage of new security features like fingerprint passcodes or facial recognition is another way to keep unwanted users out of your account and from accessing sensitive information. 

3. Be Alert For Suspicious Messages

One of the most important banking security tips you can follow online is staying alert. As technology has advanced, so have identity thieves and scammers in their pursuits to steal your information. 

Remember, the government, your bank, or any other financial institution will never require you to provide personal information online or in an email. If you receive an email or text message asking for sensitive information, do not respond. Rather, you should report, block, and delete the contact. 

4. Stay Away From Unverified Links & Attachments

Emails or messages that link directly to your login page can also be dangerous. Known as “phishing” scams, these are another way hackers will get your information. Even if the page looks like your legitimate bank website, it could be fake. 

This banking security tip also applies to email and text attachments. Sometimes, scammers will hide viruses in attachments, and while it may seem like nothing is wrong, opening it will give them access to your phone or computer, 

5. Monitor Your Accounts

The last tip for safe banking online is similar to the one we mentioned above. Frequently checking your account activity in an app or on a website is just as important as monitoring physical bank statements or documents. With online banking, you’re able to keep up with every transaction immediately. Many online banking platforms also offer special security features that will alert you if any suspicious activity occurs. 

Finally, when you’re done using your account, always remember to log out. This ensures that in the unfortunate event that your device is stolen, the person responsible won’t be able to easily access your information or bank account. 

See something suspicious? Let us know! Report irregular or fraudulent activity by contacting our team.