The only way to avoid fraud 100% of the time is to stop it before it happens. Take some time to educate yourself to avoid becoming the next victim of a scammer.
In the realm of digital security, prevention is the ultimate defense. Here are our top three security safety tips to help safeguard your assets and personal information:
Secure Your Online Connections
Whether you’re working from home, at the office, or connecting to a public Wi-Fi network, it’s vital to take steps to maintain your online security and protect your personal information. First, ensure that the website you interact with begins with “https://” in the web address. That ‘s’ stands for “Secure” and signifies that the data you transmit is encrypted, safeguarding it from potential eavesdroppers. Further, Texas Regional Bank has moved to trb.bank; only banks can obtain .bank domain, so you know it’s secure.
Logging into websites without a secure connection could expose your username and password, which, if reused across multiple sites, could jeopardize your accounts elsewhere. To dive deeper into safe web browsing practices, explore our guide on Cybersecurity: Public WIFI.
Bank’s Never Ask That!
Picture this scenario: your phone rings and the caller ID displays your bank’s name. You answer only to hear a person claiming to be from your bank’s customer service department urgently stating there’s a problem with your account. They request personal information, such as your PIN or account password. What should you do?
Scammers frequently employ tactics like this to gain access to your financial information. To protect yourself, it’s essential to exercise caution. Texas Regional Bank advises you to follow these steps:
- Stay Calm: Take a deep breath and remain composed. Scammers often create a sense of urgency to pressure you into divulging sensitive information.
- Verify the Call: Hang up the phone and independently verify the call’s legitimacy. Contact your bank using the official contact information provided on their website or your account statements. Do not use the phone number provided by the caller.
- Never Share Personal Information: Never share sensitive information such as your PIN, account password, or social security number over the phone unless you are sure of the caller’s identity.
For detailed guidance on handling such situations, please refer to our article, Avoid Scammers Who Claim to be from Your Bank.
Stay Cautious on Social Media
Have you ever received a message on social media that reads, “I’ll buy it – All I need is your email address and phone number”? While this message may appear harmless, it conceals a sinister intent. Scammers often seek personal information under the impression they are purchasing goods, yet legitimate buyers do not require your email address and phone number to make a purchase.
Understand that such “buyers” are not shopping for products; instead, they are shopping for your personal information, potentially linked to all your accounts. Armed with your email address and phone number, scammers can inflict substantial harm. It’s imperative never to share personal information with anyone online. For further insights on staying safe on social media, consult our informative guide on How to Protect Yourself from Social Media Scams.
By following these top three security safety tips from Texas Regional Bank, you can bolster your defenses in the ever-evolving digital landscape. Empower yourself with knowledge and proactive measures to ensure the safety of your assets and personal information. Stay up to date with bank security alerts.
Stay vigilant, stay secure, and protect what matters most.
