For your online safety and security..., The following are some helpful tips when shopping online:, Beware of: , Deals for Black Friday and Cyber Monday, which may contain mobile malware Malicious screensavers, ringtones, and e-cards Make anti-virus software, which may trick you into purchasing the software Social media scams, such as phony Facebook pages, Twitter accounts, online promotions, and contests Scammers advertising popular holiday items Free mobile apps, attempting to steal your information…, Do the following to help protect yourself:, Secure your computer - at a minimum, have anti-virus, anti-spyware, and a firewall Set up alerts , so you always know when transactions are above a certain limit Turn off your computer when you're done shopping Research the seller of items before you buy Monitor your credit, debit, and account numbers used for online shopping to help identify any unauthorized usage Post vacation pictures after…, Learn to stay safe online, About "phishing" and "spear phishing", Visions Federal Credit Union makes every effort to ensure that our members' information is safe and secure., A potential threat involving online account access involves email and internet-related fraudulent schemes, such as "phishing" are being perpetrated with increasing frequency, creativity, and intensity. Phishing involves the use of seemingly legitimate e-mail messages and Internet websites to deceive members into disclosing sensitive information, such as bank account information, Social Security…, There is no guaranteed product or service to protect yourself from a "spear phishing" attack. It is important to educate yourself and be wary of any emails received containing attachments or directions to follow links and input data., Do the following to help protect yourself:, Never assume that recognizing the email address means it is safe Do not open an unexpected email that contains an attachment. It could contain malware, even if it's not "spear phishing" malware Ask friends and coworkers to notify you before they send an email with an attachment Don't take any chances. If you're unsure about an e-mail or attachment, delete it Check out our tips for protecting your…, Prevention Tips:, 1., Password Strength, : Use strong passwords. These are at least twelve characters in length, alphanumeric, case sensitive, and require the use of at least one special character (e.g., !, #, $, %, etc.). And change your most important passwords every two months or more. 2., Multi-factor authentication (MFA), : If you can set up Face-ID, push notifications, or secure access codes to strengthen your login, then do it! MFA is one of the strongest security measures to keep you aware of login attempts on your digital accounts 3., Security Software, : Protect your home computer with anti-virus and spy-ware software and a firewall. Update your software frequently! 4., Time and Date of Last Access, : Check the date and time that your account was last accessed after logging into your account. This may help you identify unauthorized access. 5., Logout Procedures, : Logout of your online banking session by clicking the logout button* rather than just simply closing the browser window or using the "backspace" key., *Please keep in mind that if you are using Visions digital banking and Bill Pay in your internet browser, you should click "log out" each session to fully be logged out., 6., Reconcile Accounts, : Reconcile all accounts and transactions on a daily basis instead of monthly. 7., Type the URL, : Never access a website from a link in an email, especially if it's asking for personal information., Be aware of: , 1., Public Access Computers, : Computers accessible to the public may be infected with viruses and/or malicious software, such as key loggers. 2., E-mails offering a prize or discount, : these may ask you to enter a user ID and password, which thieves will collect to gain access to your accounts. 3., Grammar and spelling:, Fraudulent e-mails often contain poor grammar or misspelled words. 4., Email is Not Secure, : Do not include personal or sensitive data in an e-mail. It could be intercepted. 5., Anyone asking for your Secure Access Code, : Your Secure Access Code is part of MFA and identity verification for you to enter into your own account. We will never ask for your Secure Access Code via text, email, or over the phone. Are you concerned about fraud? Want to report a scam? Please contact us if you believe you have received a suspicious email, text message, or phone call from Visions, or if you provided any of your personal…
How to Deposit and Save Your Tax Refund, We love supporting your financial well-being and helping you save money. If you're expecting a refund this tax season, or any tax credit throughout the year, here are some ideas to make the most of it. , CHOOSE DIRECT DEPOSIT., With direct deposit, your tax refund goes straight from the U.S. Treasury into your savings or checking account. Compared to the prepaid debit card option, direct deposit could help you to, save on fees and, enjoy quicker, more convenient access to your funds, in your Visions account., It's a free service – and easy to set up!, Click here for tips to establish or switch your direct deposit . , STOP SPENDING, START SAVING., If you're thrilled about the cash, you could be tempted to spend it quickly. Before you do, make sure you have plenty of emergency savings to prepare for the unexpected. Experts suggest six months of living expenses as a healthy target. To start saving for emergencies, open an additional savings account today. Ask a representative or simply click, Add a Share/Certificate, in digital banking to get started. , BOOST YOUR DIVIDENDS., Your savings can lead to earnings, especially when those savings are in the right account! Unless you'll need the funds soon, consider depositing your tax return into a share certificate and enjoy a higher rate of return than traditional savings and checking accounts. When you're looking ahead to retirement, you may also want to maximize your IRA contributions for each tax year. Learn more about…, CUT DOWN DEBT., If you have a financial wellness coach or debt counselor , seek their guidance when placing those funds. By using your refund to reduce debt, you might be able to improve your credit. Learn about credit scores . , Plan your approach., Refund or no refund, it's always a good idea to review your financial wellness or retirement plan. To get in touch with a nationally accredited counselor (CCUFC) on our team and discuss your financial goals, email education@visionsfcu.org . Or, for other retirement planning and investment options, consider connecting with Visions Wealth Management . More tips from Wallet Wellness
