Online Banking Safety

Online Banking Safety

The credit union has controls in place to help keep your online banking sessions safe and secure, however, viruses and malware can be hidden on websites and in emails, potentially compromising your online banking security.

Steps All Members Should Take

To help keep your online banking sessions safe, we strongly recommend all of our members do the following:

• Install a firewall and virus protection software and keep it current.  A firewall limits the potential for unauthorized access to your computer or network.  There are free and commercial virus protection software available, however, the free versions may not be updated as often or be as effective as commercial software. 
• Keep your user ID and password secure.  Don’t share your log in information with anyone who is not a joint owner on your account.
• Use strong passwords and change them regularly.  A strong password is at least 10 characters in length and uses a mix of letters, numbers and special characters.
• Never leave your computer unattended while logged into online banking.
• Be suspicious of emails, texts and phone calls purporting to be from financial institutions or government agencies
• Never access your financial information online from a public access point.  Internet cafes and public libraries provide access to the internet for everyone so it is possible unauthorized software may be installed to trap account numbers and online banking credentials.  
• Be careful of emails with attachments and links. Email attachments and links may contain suspicious code that could allow fraudsters to obtain your online banking credentials.
• Be careful of what you download. Like email attachments and links, games and documents may contain malicious software.
• Do not enter info in to POP-Ups asking for information.  Many attacks are meant to look like legitimate requests for information from the financial institution.  If you are being asked to supply credentials other than the normal login and multi-factor questions be weary and contact the financial institution to verify what you are seeing.

Additional Steps for Business Members

In addition to the above suggestions that apply to all members, business members should:

• Use a dedicated workstation for on-line banking. Use a computer to access online banking that is not connected to your business network and that is not used for email or other web browsing.  If you can’t dedicate a single workstation, take other steps to protect your business’ computers against malware and viruses such as limiting administrative rights.
• Limit staff with online banking access. Make sure only the staff that needs to access your business’ accounts via on-line banking have access to the system. 
• Reconcile accounts daily. Monitor and reconcile accounts daily against expected credits and withdrawals.  If you see any kind of unexpected activity on your account, notify Advantis.
• Configure email servers to prevent the sending or receiving of emails with executable files as attachments.
• Be wary of phishing scams and refrain from opening attachments or clicking on links contained in emails received from unfamiliar sources.
• Alert employees authorized to access the account via online banking to be suspicious of pop-up windows that appear informing them of a problem with the account when they attempt to login.
• Use reliable credit-union telephone number rather than a number appearing on a pop-up window.  Additionally, employees should be informed that the credit union will never ask for their login credentials. 

Business members should also conduct a risk assessment and evaluate the information security controls they have in place. This will allow the business to identify vulnerabilities in their controls that can be remedied or mitigated.  And the risk assessment and review should be periodically updated as needed. 

Unsolicited Requests for Account Information
Fraudsters also phone, text or email individuals and businesses trying to obtain account numbers (including debit and credit card numbers or online banking credentials).  Advantis, like most financial institutions, will not contact you on an unsolicited basis and ask this type of information. Call us immediately using the contact information obtained from our website if you provide your account or online banking credentials to anyone in response to this type of solicitation so that we may take steps to protect your account.

Consumer Protections
You are responsible for any electronic transactions you authorize, however, consumers are protected against losses resulting from unauthorized electronic transactions under Regulation E.  If you discover unauthorized electronic activity on your account, immediately call the credit union to report it. If you wait to report the transactions, you may be liable for losses that could have been prevented. For full information, please see our Electronic Fund Transfers Agreement and Disclosure in your Membership and Account Agreement or by using the Disclosure link on the Home page of our website.

Contact Advantis
If you notice suspicious activity on your account, contact the credit union immediately at 503-785-2528 or 800-547-5532.