Simple Tips to Protect Your Accounts and Passwords

It’s no secret that your online accounts contain personal and sensitive information. The best way to protect yourself from cyberattacks is to prepare and be proactive. Whether its your password to your online banking portal or a social account, its important you apply these methods to avoid fraud and theft. Here are some simple tips you can implement to keep protected: 

Avoid Using Common Passwords 

We understand it’s hard to remember long and complex passwords; we also know that recovering your accounts from cyberattacks is even harder. Make sure to avoid using common phrases such as song lyrics or sequential numbers “12345” just to meet requirements. A strong password is usually 10-12 characters long, has 3-4 random words separated by spaces and includes a mix of uppercase and lowercase letters, as well as numbers and symbols.  

One Does Not Fit All 

It is very important that you don’t use the same password for all your accounts. We do not recommend storing your passwords in an Excel document or notes page on your phone. Although you keep your devices safe, its important to take every precaution necessary to remain protected. A simple way to keep track of all your passwords is by saving them on your web browser or a trusted password manager. If you are going to take this route, it is important to do your due diligence before trusting them.  

Enable Multi-Factor Authentication 

Utilize authentication as often as possible. The most common form of multi-factor authentication is password verification through text, email, or call. Most of your accounts will either require or give you the option to enable multi-factor authentication. Another common form of authentication is answering security questions. The questions and answers you choose should only be known to you. Often creating your own question, if given the option, is the easiest way to apply this tip.  

Lookout For These Scams

Scams can appear in many different forms…phone calls, social media, email, and many more. Identifying the scam and knowing what is happening is the best way to protect yourself.  

Phishing and Spoofing 

Phishing is when you receive an email that looks to be from a reputable sender/brand but asks you to click on a link, open an attachment, or call a fraudulent phone number to attempt to steal your personal information. Often these emails have typos, grammatical mistakes, or just look a little off. 

Spoofing is when a scammer disguises as a trusted entity or device to get you to tell them your personal or financial information.  

If you are suspicious, do not click on any links or attachments, call a number in the email, reply to the email, or provide any information on a call. Call the entity directly at a known good number. All legitimate entities will have their customer service phone numbers posted on their website. 

If you ever receive any correspondence, either email or via phone call, from Reliant that you find suspicious, please contact reliantrelations@reliantpayment.com

Artificial Intelligence Scams 

Unfortunately, AI can be used for bad too. Scammers are impersonating and cloning voices to trick people into giving money out of desperation and fear. If you are getting a call suddenly from a family member or friend in urgent need, hang up and immediately call them back on their personal number. If they do not answer, call someone that may be with them and knows them well.  

Online Marketplace Scams 

Often scammers will set up fake links and bogus ads on social media marketplaces to give you “unbeatable deals or sales” on brands you may like to buy. When you go to checkout, they will ask you to provide personal information and might ask you to pay using digital payment platforms like Zelle, Cash App, or PayPal. To avoid these scammers, always make sure to visit the brands website to see if the sale is legitimate and always use credit cards or debit cards to make payments because they often provide protection against scams.  

Check Fraud 

Scammers can steal checks directly from your mailbox or even use “deposited” checks that haven’t been disposed of properly. They use chemicals to erase and rewrite checks, create counterfeit checks, or even sell your personal info. Its important to only send checks from inside a post office, fill out all spaces of the check with a line, and always use permanent pen so the information is hard to erase. 

Other Common Scams 

Here is a list of other potential scams to be on the lookout for: 

  • Tech Support 
  • Government Imposters 
  • IRS Imposters 
  • Home Repair 
  • Advance Fee Scams 
  • Computer Virus 
  • ATM Withdrawals