Safety Tips on how to Protect Your Identity and information

To help protect your identity and other important information, this report will give you the following safety tips: 

(1)Do not use social security number as a username or password. 

(2)Change your usernames and passwords regularly and use combinations of letter, numbers, and special characters such as # and@. 

(3)Do not use your online banking username and passwords as credentials for online accounts. 

(4)Protect your online passwords. Do not write them down or share them with anyone. 

*(5)Protect your answers to security questions. Select questions and provide answers that are easy for you to remember, but hard for others to guess. 

(6)Use secure websites for transactions and shopping. Shop with merchants you know you trust. Always logg off from online banking and any website after using your credit or debit card, or other sensitive information. *

(7)Close your browser when you're not using the internet. 

(8)Be cautious when using public hotspots and consider your WI-FI auto-connect settings. 

(9)Use the keypad lock or phone lock function on your mobile device when it is not in use. 

(10)Frequently delete texts/messages from your financial institution, especially before giving out, discarding or selling your mobile device. 

(11)Never disclose via text, phone call, or email your personal or financial information, including account numbers, passwords, social security number, or birth date. 

(12)Avoid storing your banking passwords or other sensitive information on your smartphone where it could be discovered if your phone is stolen. 

*(13)Be cautious when using public hotspots.