Online Banking - How You Can Keep Your Money Safe

Is online banking safe?

To those who fear being ripped off by cyber-thieves, the answer is a resounding "no." There are criminals lurking online just waiting for an opportunity to steal your banking information, they will tell you. Yes, it's true, there are cyber thieves waiting to retrieve your information. Just as there are thieves waiting to steal your mail and retrieve your vital information, or thieves waiting to steal your credit cards and rip you off.

But, if you fear doing your banking online there is one thing you need to know. Online banking can actually HELP keep you safer, IF you follow simple safety tips.

How can online banking help keep you safer? By allowing you to monitor your account between statements. How many times have you received your statement only to find something was amiss? Perhaps you find a check you remember writing, only it's for an amount greater than what you wrote it for. Or you find ATM purchases and withdrawals you didn't make. If you're able to spot problems quicker, you're able to avert a disaster down the line.

Online banking can be safe if you follow certain safety rules:

Be very careful when choosing passwords for online accounts

Use some common sense. Don't choose your birthdate. Don't choose pets' names if you carry those names around with you in your purse or wallet, or if those around you are familiar with your pets' names. Thieves are smart enough to try birthdates and pet names. Use strong passwords – that means a combination of upper- and lower-case letters, symbols and numbers that can't be easily guessed. Some experts suggest long words, or two long words broken up with symbols or numbers.

Do not share your passwords with anyone

Well, that certainly seems simple enough. However, are you inadvertently sharing your password with strangers? Do you have passwords written down in your purse or wallet that could fall into the wrong hands if lost or stolen? And, remember, it's not just strangers you have to worry about. According to one survey done by www.idtheftcenter.org the victim respondents indicated that 43% of them thought they knew the thief; 28% said the thief had done this to other family members as well.

Don't have a file on your computer with your passwords

Again, a computer, particularly a laptop, can be stolen, along with all your sensitive passwords. And, if you ever get rid of your old computer make sure you take out the hard drive and destroy it, along with all sensitive data.

Use different passwords for different accounts

If you only use one username and password for all accounts and that information is compromised for one account, it's then compromised for all accounts.

Don't respond to emails asking for personal information

No matter how official the email looks, don't give out your personal information. If you receive an email saying your account is going to be suspended, call the bank yourself, with a phone number from your bank statements, not a phone number provided in the email. And, never click on a link in such an email.

Don't give personal information in unsolicited phone calls

If you receive a phone call purporting to be from your bank and they ask for personal information, don't give it to them. Again, call your bank with a phone number from your own bank statements and see if the phone call is legitimate.

When using an ATM, don't allow anyone to see you keying in your code

So you look a little paranoid when you cover the keypad with your body or hand. It's your money and information you're protecting.

Pick up your mail as soon as possible

Don't let your mail sit in your box overnight. There may be a banking statement just waiting for a thief. And, if you can, purchase a locking mailbox which will thwart a future thief.

Check your online account regularly

Monitor your account to check for any unusual activity.

Online banking can be a wonderful timesaver. It can allow you to write bills online, transfer money between accounts and avoid long lines at the bank. And, if you follow basic safety rules it can also be a stress-free endeavor.