So, I got this email from a reputable bank in Nigeria asking me to click on a link in order to complete and verify my “internet banking account” when in the first place, I have never opened a bank account with this bank. Surprised? I am sure you are not. You might have received these emails or something close to them too but I hope you did not click that link or supply any information you were asked because these are clearly scam emails.
Scam emails are just one of the ways one’s banking information can be retrieved online. How then can you keep those hard earned money of yours safe as you go on with your daily business. We have five ways.
1. Stick to the sites you know and trust: This tip is for anyone who makes transactions online and might be the most important of them all. Don’t go in search of too-good-to-be-true sites that you know nothing of. Especially when your anti-virus is active and keeps telling you not to enter a site that you know nothing about, take heed. Stick to sites that you know have safekeeping procedures for your personal information.
2. Keep your computer software up to date: There are some good sites that put cookies on your system to track your personal information and your day to day transactions. Make sure security software on your computer are up-to-date. Let your security package include these three: anti-virus program, anti-spy ware and your firewall and let them be up-to-date.
3. Be vigilant: The very fact that you have access to internet banking can save you the time it takes to get an ATM to check your bank balance. You can log on to your internet banking account at least once in two days and every time you make a transaction online to see your statement of account. Do not leave your internet banking account open when you are done without logging off. Do not also ask that your computer remembers your internet banking account password if your security software are not up-to-date. If there is a tampering in your accounts, call your bank to quickly notify them so that they will tell you the instant steps you need to protect your account. Try to avoid saving personal and banking information online. If you need to remember your information, store them in a personal pocket diary.
4. Read the TINY FINE print: Websites vary in terms of what they require from their online shoppers. Therefore you need to stop to read, if there are any, the TINY FINE print before checking out with your debit card. It might be annoying but it is safer to know what agreement you are getting into before you supply your information for online shopping transactions.
5.Keep your passwords private: First, make sure your password strength is strong and unique for each internet log-in identity you have. Try to avoid predictable password combinations like names that are emotionally connected to you, birth dates and simple numbers because these combinations are easily hacked by scammers. Avoid using same passwords for multiple websites especially when they access your personal information. Keep those passwords private. If you have your security software complete and up-to-date, avoid saving them online.
Although, online transaction services are becoming people’s primary access to banking services, using these five tips in your online transactions will make sure your money is kept safe.
