Safe Digital Banking & Public Wi-Fi Safety Tips | TAPCO

Managing your money should fit naturally into your everyday life. Checking your balance, paying bills, transferring funds, and keeping track of your spending are all easier with digital banking. And while having access to your finances at your fingertips is convenient, knowing how to protect your personal and financial information is just as important. Here's what to know about banking safely online, using public Wi-Fi, and making the most of your digital banking experience.

Safe digital banking means accessing and managing your financial accounts online while taking steps to protect your money, personal information, and login credentials.

This includes using trusted websites and apps, choosing strong passwords, recognizing suspicious activity, and being mindful of the networks you connect to. Digital banking offers convenient ways to manage everyday financial tasks. With TAPCO Digital Banking, members can:

• Transfer money: Move funds between eligible TAPCO accounts and external financial institutions.
• Make payments: Pay bills and make payments on TAPCO loans.
• Monitor accounts: Review balances, transactions, and eStatements.
• Create account alerts: Receive notifications about certain account activity.
• Manage cards: Use available card controls to monitor activity and temporarily turn cards off when needed.

These tools help you stay informed about your money without needing to visit a branch for every transaction.

Is It Safe to Use Online Banking on Public Wi-Fi?

Public Wi-Fi is convenient when you're traveling, studying, working remotely, or spending time at your favorite coffee shop.

But not every network offers the same level of security.

Public Wi-Fi networks can expose users to risks such as fake hotspots, suspicious websites, and attempts to steal personal information.

Most modern websites and banking apps use encryption to help protect information. However, encryption doesn't eliminate every risk, especially if you're connecting to an unfamiliar network or entering information on a fraudulent website.

For sensitive financial activities, your cellular connection or a trusted private network is generally a safer choice.

How to protect yourself on public Wi-Fi

1. Verify the network. Ask an employee for the correct Wi-Fi name before connecting to a public hotspot.
2. Use a trusted connection for banking. Consider switching to cellular data or a personal hotspot before accessing financial accounts.
3. Check website addresses. Look for HTTPS and confirm that you're visiting the correct website. HTTPS encrypts your connection, but it does not guarantee that a website is legitimate.
4. Avoid unfamiliar links. Access financial accounts through the official app or a website address you've verified.
5. Keep your devices updated. Software updates can help protect against known security vulnerabilities.
6. Log out when you're finished. Avoid leaving sensitive accounts open, especially on shared devices.

A few precautions can help you stay connected without putting unnecessary risk on your financial information.

Protecting Your Digital Banking Account

Account security doesn't stop at choosing a safe internet connection. The habits you build around your accounts matter, too.

• Use strong, unique passwords: Create a different password for each important account, especially your financial and email accounts. A password manager can help you create and securely store strong passwords without having to remember each one.
• Use multi-factor authentication Multi-factor authentication (MFA) adds another layer of protection by requiring additional verification when accessing an account. TAPCO Mobile Banking uses multi-factor authentication as part of its security features. Never share your verification codes with someone who contacts you unexpectedly.
• Turn on account alerts: Account alerts help you stay aware of activity involving your money. With TAPCO Online Banking, members can receive text or email notifications for certain account activities. Review the available alert settings and choose notifications that make sense for how you manage your finances. Explore TAPCO alert settings.
• Check your transactions regularly: Make it a habit to review account activity, especially after traveling, shopping online, or making several purchases. If a transaction looks unfamiliar, investigate it promptly and contact your financial institution through an official channel.
• Use card controls: TAPCO's Mobile Banking card controls give members greater control over their cards by allowing them to view transaction details, temporarily turn cards off, set spending and withdrawal limits, and block certain transaction types, all conveniently within the mobile app.
  

These features can be useful if you've misplaced your card, noticed unfamiliar activity, or want additional control over how your card is used.

Make the Most of Your Digital Banking Tools

• Stay on top of payments: TAPCO's Bill Pay service lets members schedule one-time or recurring bill payments and maintain a record of their payment activity.Keeping payment information in one place can make it easier to plan around upcoming expenses.
• Review your statements digitally: eStatements provide access to monthly account statements through Online Banking. They also help reduce the amount of sensitive financial information delivered through physical mail.
• Send money thoughtfully: TAPCO offers Zelle® within Digital Banking, allowing eligible members to send money to people they know and trust. Because Zelle® payments to enrolled recipients typically arrive within minutes and generally cannot be reversed, always verify the recipient before sending money. Avoid using Zelle® to pay unfamiliar sellers or purchase items when you're uncertain you'll receive what you paid for. Learn About Zelle® at TAPCO. 
• Know Your Credit and Explore Free Financial Resources: Understanding your credit can help you make informed decisions when preparing for future financial goals. TAPCO members have access to SavvyMoney, a free credit monitoring service available through Online Banking.

What Should You Do If You Notice Suspicious Account Activity?

1. Contact your financial institution. Use the phone number on your card or the institution's official website.
2. Review recent transactions. Identify activity you don't recognize.
3. Secure your accounts. Change compromised passwords and review your security settings.
4. Use available card controls. Temporarily turn off an affected card if appropriate.
5. Report suspicious activity. Follow your financial institution's reporting procedures.

If you're a TAPCO member and notice suspicious activity, contact TAPCO directly at 800.345.7183. You can also access secure messaging through TAPCO Digital Banking. To report a lost or stolen card, call 877.285.6251 for credit cards or 866.622.6112 for debit cards.

For more ways to recognize scams and protect your information, explore TAPCO’s Fraud & Security resources.