SmartBanking Blog

Keeping Your Finances Safe in a Digital World 

October is National Cybersecurity Awareness Month, so now is the perfect time to think about ways to keep your finances and transactions secure. This year’s theme is “Do Your Part. #BeCyberSmart.” Here are some ideas to help you do just that!

Our Dot-Bank Web Address

Choosing The Savings Bank as your banking partner is one way you can #BeCyberSmart.

Our move in 2018 to TheSavingsBankOhio.bank web address was designed to protect our customers with an even more secure website. There are many benefits to a .bank domain:

• Only verified banking institutions can use .bank, so it represents a “stamp of trust” whenever you see it.
• A .bank domain adds an additional layer of security to our website.
• It protects against cyberattacks, fraud and spoofing that steal personal information and login credentials.

Protecting Your Information

Follow these tips from the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (FDIC) to protect your valuable personal and financial information:

How to Avoid Identity Theft 
• Only open emails from people or organizations you know. Even then, be cautious if they look questionable. Be on the alert for email addresses that contain typos or other obvious mistakes.
• Don’t give out sensitive information – like Social Security numbers, account passwords or your driver’s license number – in response to unsolicited requests. 
• Shred old receipts, account statements and unused credit card offers. Participating in our annual Shred-it Day can help!
• Make PINs and passwords hard for someone to guess and avoid using birth dates, phone numbers or any part of your Social Security number.
• Review account statements carefully to make sure all transactions are legitimate. Card Valet can help by sending you alerts every time your debit card is used, as well.
• Obtain and check the accuracy of your free credit report every year.
• Don’t use an unsecured Wi-Fi network – like you often find in restaurants and retail businesses – for financial transactions, because someone could access the information you are transmitting or viewing.
• Don’t fill out surveys on social media sites that ask you to share personal information like your mother’s maiden name, your first car, or your favorite book—even if everyone on your friends list is doing it! These are frequently the answers to security questions, and putting this info all in one place can help scammers hack into your accounts.

How to Avoid Frauds and Scams
• Be cautious when you receive an email or text message that asks you to click on a link. Some links can install malware that lets thieves spy on your computer activity and access confidential information. 
• Confirm a message is legitimate by contacting the sender using a phone number or web address that you look up yourself, instead of using links or contact information within the suspicious message.
• Assume that offers that seem too good to be true are fraudulent.
• Check your security settings on social media sites and limit information that is publicly visible.
• Research any apps before downloading them and don’t assume an app is safe just because its name resembles the name of your bank or other companies that you know. Our MyTSBMobile app is safe to download, and you can be confident that you are accessing what you need by linking from our website to the Apple App Store or Google Play.

For More Tips About Cybersecurity…
…visit these trusted sources to help you #BeCyberSmart:

• Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency National Cybersecurity Awareness Month Publications
https://www.cisa.gov/publication/national-cybersecurity-awareness-month-publications

• FDIC Recommendations https://www.fdic.gov/consumers/assistance/protection/idtheft.html