Managing money is an important daily task for many people and with the advent of online banking, it has become significantly more convenient. In a country dominated by smart phones, computers and tablets, the ability to check your account balance, transfer money and pay bills is now, quite literally, at your fingertips.
Is Online Banking Secure?
One of the biggest concerns regarding online banking is security: Is it safe? Overall, the answer is yes. However, whether you’re banking at a local branch or accessing your account through the internet, consumers should always monitor their activity carefully. To ensure the safety of your money and personal information, U.S. News offers the following tips for safe online banking:
- “Don’t talk to cyber-strangers, and don’t click on hyperlinks within emails from strangers.” This is an easy way for hackers to access your information.
- “Treat your smartphone like the computer it is.” Be careful about what you download and make sure to sign-out of online banking sites and applications.
- “Treat social networks like dark street corners.” Be careful about the information you share online and avoid suspicious links on social networking sites.
- “Use the Net to your own advantage.” Log in to your online account frequently to make sure nothing seems incorrect or suspicious.
- “Get free help.” Velocity, like many credit unions, offers tips to effectively utilize online banking.
- “Think of a new word.” Try to make your passwords and security questions less predictable.
- “Never, ever give your Social Security number to anyone online.”
- “Shred or safely store financial mail.”
- “Fight back quickly.” If you think something is amiss with your account or you suspect you have been hacked, contact your bank immediately.
- “Trust your gut.” If you have a bad feeling that something is wrong, you’re probably right. Monitor you account carefully and take action quickly.
Banks and credit unions create many safeguards to protect you, but it’s also important for customers to take online banking seriously and monitor things carefully.
The Many Benefits of Online Banking
Although it’s still beneficial to visit an Austin credit union branch for some of your banking needs, there are many advantages to utilizing online banking. Along with convenience, the other benefits of online banking include automatic bill pay, real-time access to account information, easy money transfers and higher interest rates. With Velocity Credit Union’s free and convenient eStatement access, you can have your statements sent to you electronically, erasing the hassle of filing paper statements and giving you the ability to access your statement history online at any time. Another useful tool is the free alert service, which allows you to stay on top of all your account activity, including balance alerts, notifications of checks that have cleared and debit transactions. Contact us at Velocity today to learn more about online banking, eServices and our mobile banking site. Our new smartphone App and remote deposit will be launched in the coming months! Banking is an integral part of everyday life, so why not make it as easy as possible?
Velocity Credit Union 