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Safe Online Banking

Your money is safe online when you follow a few simple rules. We'll show you exactly what to do and which tools to use.

7 Golden Rules for Safe Online Banking

Follow these rules every time you bank online and you'll be protected against the vast majority of banking fraud.

  1. 1

    Never click links in emails or texts claiming to be from your bank.

    Always open a new browser window and type your bank's website address directly. Banks will never email you a link to log in.

  2. 2

    Use a unique, strong password for your bank account.

    Your banking password should be different from every other password you use. A password manager makes this easy.

  3. 3

    Enable two-factor authentication (2FA) on every financial account.

    This means even if someone steals your password, they can't get in without your phone. Your bank's app can walk you through this.

  4. 4

    Only bank on secure, private Wi-Fi networks.

    Never log into your bank on public Wi-Fi (coffee shops, airports). If you must, use a VPN to encrypt your connection.

  5. 5

    Check your accounts at least once a week.

    The sooner you spot unauthorized activity, the easier it is to fix. Set a weekly reminder to review your transactions.

  6. 6

    Set up transaction alerts with your bank.

    Most banks let you get a text or email for every transaction. Turn this on so you know the moment someone uses your account.

  7. 7

    Never share your banking credentials with anyone.

    Your bank will never ask for your full password over the phone or email. Anyone who does is a scammer.

Banking Security Guides

In-depth articles to help you bank with confidence.

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Direct Deposit Hijacking: The Scam That Redirects Your Social Security Check Without Stealing a Password

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Essential Tools for Safe Banking

A VPN and a password manager are the two tools that make the biggest difference for banking safety.

NordVPN

NordVPN

$3-$12/mo

Encrypt your internet connection when banking on the go. Essential for public Wi-Fi protection.

1Password

1Password

$3-$5/mo

Generate and store unique, strong passwords for every bank and financial account.

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