Navigator Credit Union: Protect your identity against cybercriminals

MOBILE, Ala. (WALA) - October is Cybersecurity Awareness Month. Cybercriminals are constantly developing new and sophisticated ways to attack our devices and steal our personal information. Identity theft is a serious crime that can have devastating financial and emotional consequences. Navigator Credit Union has some ways you can protect yourself.

Strengthen Your Passwords

A strong password is at least 12 characters long and includes a mix of upper and lowercase letters, numbers, and symbols. It should be unique to each account you have. A password manager can help you create and store strong passwords for your accounts. It’s essential not to share your passwords with anyone to help keep your accounts secure.

Enable Two-Factor Authentication (2FA) Many online services and platforms offer two-factor authentication as an additional layer of security. With 2FA, even if a hacker gets your password, they won’t be able to access your account without the second verification step. This might involve receiving a code on your smartphone or a fingerprint scan.

Be Wary of Phishing Scams Phishing texts, emails and malicious attachments are common ways cybercriminals spread malware and steal personal information. If you receive an email from an unknown sender or are unsure whether an attachment is safe, don’t click on it. Navigate to a separate browser or even use a different device to go to the official website, review your account or check out the offer.

Monitor Your Financial Statements Regularly review your bank and credit card statements for any unauthorized transactions. The sooner you spot suspicious activity, the quicker you can take action to prevent further damage. Set up alerts with your financial institutions to be notified of large or unusual transactions.

Shred Sensitive Documents Identity thieves can also target physical documents like bank statements, bills, and medical records. Invest in a paper shredder and use it to destroy any documents containing sensitive personal information before disposing of them.

About Navigator Credit Union Navigator Credit Union has been guiding the Gulf Coast since 1939. Navigator is a not-for-profit credit union, here for Members, not Wall Street investors. That means the Credit Union can provide a full range of financial products and services, with better rates, fewer fees and more flexibility than most banks, including free checking, home loans, auto loans and credit cards. Navigator has 12 full-service Branches from Gulfport, Miss., to Daphne, Ala., and is committed to providing the strength, stability and financial resources Members need – no matter what happens on life’s journey. Visit navigatorcu.org to learn more or apply for membership!

Navigator Credit Union Locations from Daphne, Ala. to Gulfport, Miss.

800-344-3281 navigatorcu.org