In order to stop fraudsters from getting your credentials and using them to commit fraud, here are some steps you can take.
- Strong passwords. Use strong passwords for all your accounts. A strong password has 12 or more characters and incorporates the following: lowercase letters, uppercase letters, numbers, and symbols.
- Unique passwords. Do not reuse passwords. Each password for every account should be unique and strong, as defined above. The best way to ensure that you have strong and unique passwords is to use a secure password manager to help you create and keep track of them.
- Enable multi-factor authentication. Use multi-factor authentication (MFA) to protect all your accounts—including (especially) your email. If your email provider doesn’t use MFA, then your account is only as safe as your password, which could be compromised.
- Only use trusted devices. Don’t use a device you don’t trust to log in to your accounts. For example, don’t log in to your bank account using a friend’s computer or a public computer in an internet cafe. All too often, they are infected with malware.
- Monitor your accounts. Regularly monitor your accounts for unauthorized connections to financial apps and services. Plaid Portal can help.
- Stay updated. Keep your devices updated with the latest operating systems and security upgrades. Older operating systems and devices are more likely to be infected with malware and viruses.
- Check for viruses and malware. Routinely perform checks with antivirus and spyware detection software to ensure your devices are malware-free.