Protecting your financial security starts with staying informed and vigilant. Understanding fraud risks and knowing how to spot them can help you safeguard your accounts and personal information. Review these tips and resources regularly to stay aware of emerging scams and best practices for keeping your finances secure.
Passwords & Authentication
Tip: Increase Password Strength
Your password is the first line of defense protecting your bank accounts, email, and personal information. Follow this three-step security check to help keep your data secure:
- Use a passphrase instead of a single word. Create a long, random sentence, such as TheBlueCatLikesRain26!—the longer and more complex, the better.
- Do not reuse passwords across multiple sites. Each account should have a unique password.
- Enable Multi-Factor Authentication (MFA). Ensure MFA is turned on whenever available, as this added layer of security helps prevent unauthorized access even if your password is compromised.
Tip: Always Use Multi-Factor Authentication
Using a single password is no longer enough to protect your financial accounts. Multi-Factor Authentication (MFA) adds an essential second layer of security, helping prevent unauthorized access to your account.
MFA requires an additional form of verification beyond your password. Even if a criminal obtains your login credentials through guessing or a data breach, access is blocked without this second verification step.
Why MFA is essential:
Security research shows that enabling MFA can prevent the vast majority of account takeover attempts, making it one of the most effective tools available to protect your financial information.
Security research shows that enabling MFA can prevent the vast majority of account takeover attempts, making it one of the most effective tools available to protect your financial information.
For Hebron Savings Bank customers, MFA is enabled when establishing an Online Banking account, providing added protection from the start. Using this feature is a critical step in safeguarding your accounts and your financial well-being.
Financial Health
Tip: Review Your Credit Report Regularly
Your credit report is a detailed record of your financial activity and an important tool in detecting fraud. Reviewing your credit report at least once a year can help you identify signs of identity theft early and take action before financial damage occurs.
Why this matters:
- Detect unauthorized accounts: Identify credit cards or loans opened without your knowledge.
- Identify inaccuracies: Spot incorrect personal information, such as unfamiliar addresses or names.
- Protect future borrowing: Ensure your credit history is accurate before applying for a loan or mortgage.
Know your rights:
Under federal law, you are entitled to one free credit report every 12 months from each of the three nationwide credit reporting agencies.
Under federal law, you are entitled to one free credit report every 12 months from each of the three nationwide credit reporting agencies.
Where to access your report:
Visit AnnualCreditReport.com, the only website authorized by the federal government to provide free credit reports. Regular monitoring is a simple but effective step in protecting your financial security.
Monitoring and Activity Awareness
Tip: Enable Account Alerts
Account alerts are an effective way to monitor activity and detect potential fraud quickly. Alerts can notify you of account changes or unusual transactions, allowing you to take immediate action if suspicious activity occurs.
Hebron Savings Bank customers can set up alerts through Online Banking or the Mobile Banking app. Navigate to Settings, then User Alerts or Accounts, and select Alert Preferences to customize your notifications.
Enabling alerts takes only a few moments and provides ongoing peace of mind by helping you stay informed and in control of your account activity.
Important Links
Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB)
Provides up-to-date info on scams, identity theft, warning signs, and how to protect yourself — all in plain language with action steps and complaint options.
Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (FDIC) – Consumer Resource Center
Though not solely about fraud, the FDIC’s Consumer Resource Center includes topics on fraud awareness, consumer protection, and financial safety tips.
Fraud.org (National Consumers League)
Operated by a long-standing nonprofit watchdog, this site tracks current scam trends, publishes alerts, and offers straightforward prevention tips.
Scam Prevention & Assistance – FINRA
FINRA’s resource page includes scam avoidance strategies, links to BBB Scam Tracker, FTC alerts, and AARP Fraud Watch Network tools — useful for older adults and retirement-oriented customers.
Office of the Comptroller of the Currency – Safe Money
OCC’s Safe Money series offers downloadable sheets that explain common scams (e.g., imposter, check fraud, identity theft) with warnings and protective steps.
Office of Justice Programs – Fraud Awareness
DOJ’s site offers publications and multimedia on fraud prevention and victim assistance.