Online security is important for your financial health, no matter the time of year. We’re here to provide you with some simple steps you can take to keep yourself safe during the busy fall months.

• Malicious greetings — Emails often invite recipients to click on a card, video, or animation. While some are harmless, cybercriminals can imbed viruses and spyware in them; open all file attachments and URLs with care.

• Phishing for friends — Social media is often where phishing attacks take place. Think twice about adding friends you don’t really know and never divulge personal data to anyone online.

• Devices gone missing — Annually, thousands of travelers will lose their laptops, smartphones & tablets during the coming months. Therefore, it’s wise never to leave a boarding gate, vehicle, or security checkpoint without taking a mental inventory of your electronics.

• Dangerous downloads — Always use common sense when downloading games, file-sharing tools, streaming clients, and other third-party apps. Deploy anti-virus software to detect malware.

For more information regarding how your credit union is working to guard your resources, please visit us here.

Cyber criminals are always busy in the summer months, attacking consumers around the globe.

According to experts, no one is immune to this phenomenon and, while we are all vulnerable, there are steps you can take to minimize your risk:

• Be overly careful about clicking on links and attachments you didn’t request and/or don’t recognize.

• Limit the amount of sensitive data stored on your computer. For example, never put your Social Security Number on any device.

• Use free Online & Mobile Banking to monitor your transactions and take care of your personal finances.

• Don’t geotag photos on Facebook.

• Greatly restrict the personal information you post on any social media site.

You’re also welcome to visit us here for updates regarding how we are striving to provide you with enhanced protection.

It’s that time of year: family vacations, weekend excursions, maybe even the trip of a lifetime to Europe or Asia.

And there’s no better way to pay for these opportunities than with your America First Visa® credit and debit cards.

But before you leave, it’s important that you inform us you’re going to be traveling. Please call 1-800-999-3961 and we’ll take steps to ensure your security. Then you can simply relax and enjoy your journey!

Also, you can visit us here for further information about how we’re working to protect your accounts and information.

Now is a great time to get your cyber security in top shape. And we have a quick and easy workout to help protect you against these constant threats.

· Create complicated passwords using numeral-letter combinations, as well as special characters for each of the social media platforms you use. Having one uniform code is an open invitation to criminals.

· Don’t leave your passwords short and related to your personal information, such as your pet’s name, birthdays, etc. People seeking to defraud you commonly use search engines to discover all kinds of things about you.

· Remember to change your passwords routinely, at least once a year. It may take a little of your time, but not becoming a victim of identity theft is worth it.

· Tighten the security settings on all of your programs. Most channels occasionally change their privacy options or add options without letting you know.

· And be sure to visit us here to see how we’re working to safeguard your resources.

As the April tax deadline approaches, it can definitely be a stressful time of year. And the proliferation of criminals looking to rob you of your resources only adds to the anxiety.

Below are some tips to help you avoid malware and phishing attacks and put your mind more at ease.

• The Internal Revenue Service (IRS) will never send you an email. You can stop these threats right there. If you receive a communication purporting to be from the IRS, delete it immediately.

• Don’t click on links or open attachments inside unsolicited messages. This is always a security best practice.

• Never file your taxes or conduct any sensitive transaction over public Wi-Fi networks. These sharing services can expose your data to potential interception.

• Use strong passwords.

• If it sounds too good to be true, it is.

• And be sure to visit us here to see how we’re working to protect your information and your hard-earned money.

As tax season shifts into high gear, many criminals are also stepping up their efforts to rob you of your resources. These schemes & scams seek access to your information for fraudulent purposes. Additionally, people can seek to falsely collect amounts you might owe to the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) and pursue other tactics, such as:

· Citing IRS form 1099 as proof that individuals can access secret accounts the federal government maintains for every U.S. citizen

· Using false tax-preparing Web sites to secure filers’ personal data

· Pretending to be IRS agents with a phony badge number and name, telling individuals they owe the IRS money and must pay with a pre-loaded debit card or face charges

There are, however, steps you can take to protect yourself:

•Anyone who purports to be from the IRS and asks for your Social Security Number should be dismissed. The agency will only communicate with you through the mail on official letterhead. If you get one of these calls, hang up. If you see one of these emails, delete it

•Avoid phishing attempts, especially this time of year. Never reply to emails, texts or pop-up messages asking for your personal, tax, or financial information. Legitimate businesses don’t ask you for this through unsecured channels

•Never click on links when you don’t know and can’t verify the source.

•Be wary of doing your taxes online or conducting financial transactions over public Wi-Fi hotspots. These networks are often vulnerable to hacking

•And please visit us here to see how we’re working to safeguard your resources.

National experts estimate that only eight percent of us kept our annual resolutions last year. However, there is one goal you can successfully achieve in 2016 and beyond — having a safe online presence.

Here are two simple & reliable steps you can take for higher virtual confidence:

Public Wi-Fi is indeed Public — Free public Wi-Fi is often where fraud perpetrators can pounce on your personal data once you connect to an open server. These networks aren’t secure, which means that anyone could potentially see what you are doing on your device. Vow to limit your activities on public Wi-Fi and avoid logging in to key sites.

Chores for your Digital Home — Almost 70 percent of American households have between one and five devices connected to the Internet — with 30 percent owning six or more. This certainly justifies simple but necessary routine maintenance. From updating software, to backing up valuable family photos and important documents, to keeping your machines clean and running efficiently, you can help ensure your family is safe.

And be sure to visit us here for additional information regarding how we’re providing you with enhanced security.

The U.S. Department of Homeland Security is reminding consumers to remain vigilant when browsing or shopping online this time of year.

Officials note that the season presents numerous opportunities for criminals to commit fraud.

Some examples are electronic Christmas cards from unknown senders containing malicious software; fake ads or shipping notifications delivering viruses; and spoofed emails and posts on social networking sites requesting support for phony causes.

To avoid security lapses, please consider the following actions:

• Avoid following unsolicited links or attachments from sources with which you’re not familiar.

• Visit the Federal Trade Commission’s site for scam alerts.

• Assess your passwords and consider making them stronger; never create a single phrase for more than one site.

• Always use common sense when downloading games, file-sharing tools, streaming clients, and other third-party apps.

For more information and additional updates regarding how your credit union is working to protect your resources, please click here.

The busiest shopping time of the year is upon us and many are apt to choose the convenience — as well as time savings & lack of crowds, just to name a couple things — of going online.

To make the most of your experience and protect yourself along the way, here are some tips:

Keep it clean: All the devices you use when you buy via the Internet, including smartphones and tablets, should have up-to-date software for security, operating systems, programs and apps.

When in doubt, throw it out: Links in emails, posts, and unwanted pop-up ads are often how cybercriminals compromise your data. If it looks suspicious, it’s best to hit delete.

Think before buying: Be wary of communications that offer deals too good to be true or those that implore you to act immediately.

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