Seven Ways to Avoid Online Scams

WASHINGTON — In recognition of Internet Safety Month, the American Bankers Association is reminding consumers that for all the Internet’s advantages, it can also make users vulnerable to fraud, identity theft and other scams.

“Customers rely more and more on the Internet for everyday tasks, including their banking, and cybercriminals are taking advantage of that trend,” said Frank Keating, ABA president and CEO. “Protecting your money should be a shared responsibility between you and your bank. The more precautions we all take, the safer your money – and your information – will be.”

ABA reminds consumers of the following tips to help keep them stay safe and secure online:

– Keep your computers and mobile devices up to date.  Having the latest security software, web browser, and operating system are the best defenses against viruses, malware, and other online threats. Turn on automatic updates so you receive the newest fixes as they become available.

– Set strong passwords. A strong password is at least eight characters in length and includes a mix of upper and lowercase letters, numbers, and special characters.

– Watch out for phishing scams. Phishing scams use fraudulent emails and websites to trick users into disclosing private account or login information. Do not click on links or open any attachments or pop-up screens from sources you are not familiar with.

**Forward phishing emails to the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) at spam@uce.gov – and to the company, bank, or organization impersonated in the email.

– Keep personal information personal. Hackers can use social media profiles to figure out your passwords and answer those security questions in the password reset tools. Lock down your privacy settings and avoid posting things like birthdays, addresses, mother’s maiden name, etc.  Be wary of requests to connect from people you do not know.

– Secure your Internet connection. Always protect your home wireless network with a password. When connecting to public Wi-Fi networks, be cautious about what information you are sending over it.Shop safely. Before shopping online, make sure the website uses secure technology. When you are at the checkout screen, verify that the web address begins with https. Also, check to see if a tiny locked padlock symbol appears on the page.

– Read the site’s privacy policies. Though long and complex, privacy policies tell you how the site protects the personal information it collects.

For more information and other consumer-friendly tips, visit aba.com/consumers.

The American Bankers Association is the voice of the nation’s $15 trillion banking industry, which is composed of small, regional and large banks that together employ more than 2 million people, safeguard $11 trillion in deposits and extend more than $8 trillion in loans.