How to Protect Your Checking Account: 8 Tips for Security

There’s almost nothing worse than seeing withdrawals you didn’t make show up on your bank statement. As your heart begins racing and hands start sweating, you try to do the math in your head to determine if there’s some big purchase you forgot you made. But when reality sinks in, you’re left with the horrible question of what to do next and how to get your money back. Consumers reported a staggering $905 million dollars in fraud losses in 2017, which means if you’re a victim of fraud you’re not alone.¹ To avoid giving criminals access to your bank account in the first place, we’ve rounded up eight top tips to help keep your checking account protected.

Protecting Your Account In-Person

As you go about your day, there are a few ways you can help keep your money protected.

Tip #1: Choose Your ATM’s Wisely

When it comes to keeping your money secure, not all ATM’s are created equal. If you’re given the choice, only use ATMs that are located inside of a bank or credit union. These ATMs are likely the most secure in terms of identity theft and personal safety. Any ATM located inside of a bank or credit union is under 24-hour security surveillance, meaning it’ll be a lot tougher for criminals to tamper with the machine. In addition, you won’t have people glancing at your pin number as they walk by.

Tip #2:  Enable Text Alerts

With many institutions, you have the option to set up text alerts every time a charge is made on your credit or debit card. While the extra notifications on your phone may seem like a nuisance, this can often be the fastest way to detect a fraudulent charge.

Tip #3: Pay With Credit Cards When Possible

No, we’re not suggesting you rack up credit card debt. But some consumers prefer to use a credit card over their debit card for everyday purchases for the simple reason that it isn’t their money they’re putting at risk. While, of course, you’re responsible for the charges they accrue, you’re not exposing your actual earnings to potential threats. If a thief gains access to your checking account through your debit card, they can drain the money saved in there. If they gain access to your credit card account, there’s no personal money to be taken. Instead, they’re racking up charges that you can contest with your credit card company.

Tip #4: Look For Skimming Devices

Next time you hit the gas station (and every time after that), be on the lookout for skimming devices. According to the Federal Trade Commission, these are illegal card readers that can be attached to a payment terminal. They’re most commonly found on gas station card readers, and they are used to grab data off of a credit or debit card’s magnetic strip.² Here are a few things to consider the next time you fuel up:

• If your gas station puts a security seal over the card reader panel, make sure it hasn’t been broken or voided.

• Look for any type of attachment to the end of the card reader. If it looks bigger than usual or wiggles when you move it, it could be a skimmer.

• To be sure you’re staying away from skimmers, pay inside at the cash register instead of at the pump.

Protecting Your Account Online

Hackers and fraudsters are as prevalent online as they are in person. Here are a few ways to keep your accounts protected as you access them online.

Tip #1: Check Your Account Regularly

When it comes to fraudulent charges to your account, thieves act quickly — often draining accounts in just a few minutes, hours or days. If you aren’t checking your account regularly, you may miss that something suspicious happened. We recommend checking in on your account every day. While it may sound extreme, the timeline for how much you could lose in the case of fraudulent debit charges is quick:

• If you report the theft before any charges are made, you won’t incur any account loss.

• If you report within two business days of learning about the theft, your maximum loss will be $50.

• If you report after two business days but within 60 days of your last bank statement being sent to you, you could see a loss of up to $500.

• If you report the theft more than 60 days after your last bank statement was sent to you, you’re subject to lose all of the money removed from the account.³

Reporting three or more business days after the unauthorized withdrawal occurs means you could stand to lose up to $500. If you’re only checking your account every week or every other week, you may not catch the withdrawal until there are hundreds of dollars at stake.

Tip #2: Use Paper Statements

While it’s much easier and more convenient to do your banking online, you should still opt-in to having paper statements sent in the mail regularly. This would be helpful in the case that a hacker took control of your online accounts. If they changed the password and locked you out of the account, you can at least still have a paper trail with your account information on it.

Tip #3: Be Cautious About Sharing Your Information

It’s not unusual to share your account information over the phone, especially if you’re attempting to pay for a service or bill. But if someone contacts you either over the phone, through a messaging platform or via email, take a little extra caution before sharing your information. If you’re being called by someone claiming to be from the bank and they ask for some account details, ask for their extension and tell them you’ll call right back. Be sure to call back using the number listed on the bank or other organization’s website to confirm the original call was legitimate. If possible, never share your account information in writing via email, messaging platform, text or social media.

Tip #4: Only Log-In On Secure Devices

When accessing your account online, stay away from using public computers or devices. If you must, always make sure the HTTPS appears before the website name in the address bar, as this can help keep your log-in information protected. It is also recommended that you avoid logging in to your account on a wifi network that is not password protected, as this can make it much easier for hackers to gain access to your information.

Whether you’re shopping online or pumping gas at the station, there are steps you can take to help keep your identity and money protected. Diligence can be the difference between facing a drained account and staying on top of unauthorized withdrawals. And if you do notice a transaction you didn’t make, act quickly to preserve as much of your account as possible.

1. https://www.experian.com/blogs/ask-experian/identity-theft-statistics/
2. https://www.consumer.ftc.gov/blog/2018/08/watch-out-card-skimming-gas-pump
3. https://www.consumer.ftc.gov/articles/0213-lost-or-stolen-credit-atm-and-debit-cards

This content is developed from sources believed to be providing accurate information, and provided by Twenty Over Ten. It may not be used for the purpose of avoiding any federal tax penalties. Please consult legal or tax professionals for specific information regarding your individual situation. The opinions expressed and material provided are for general information, and should not be considered a solicitation for the purchase or sale of any security.