For the last 17 years, the federal government and U.S. industry have worked together on National Cybersecurity Awareness Month (NCSAM) to provide an educational campaign and the proper resources to Americans in order to help protect them from cybersecurity threats.  

This year’s campaign is based around the theme of “Do Your Part. #BeCyberSmart,” encouraging individuals and organizations to be accountable for their activities online and taking the proactive measures in securing their identity.  

Family First is here to help protect your family from potential cybersecurity threats. We’re happy to provide you many resources and tools to keep your family’s finances secure online. To learn more, contact us today. 

Cyber Awareness During the COVID Era 

According to a survey conducted by TransUnion, 83% of adults are concerned about having their identity stolen and the level of distress of this crime occurring has increased for one-third of Americans since the COVID-19 pandemic began. Since the start of the pandemic, one in 10 (10%) of U.S. adults report being a victim of identity theft. Along with this data, over 43% of respondents said both security and convenience are equally important to them when accessing their government accounts, while 26% said security is more important and 22% had convenience as being more essential.   

With almost 16% stating that they’ve been a victim of identity theft, the group with the most prevalent instances lie within the Gen Z population, mainly a result of fraud associated with unemployment benefits. 

Other data reports that a small percentage of respondents have also had either their 2019 tax return fraudulently filed or had their stimulus check stolen. However, Gen Z once again was affected by this with 13% having tax returns fraudulently filed and 12% of respondents having stimulus checks stolen. 

Ways to Keep Your Young Adult Cybersecure 

With reports of Gen Z being victims to cybercrimes, keeping your young adult cybersecure is crucial during these times of uncertainty. Here are 5 ways you can proactively secure your own or your child’s personal information and how Family First can help: 

1. Keep your passwords private   

Never give your PIN or password to anyone and keep them in a secure place. Using a strong password and a two-factor authentication provides multiple layers of security measure in the case of identity theft.

2. Exercise caution when downloading files  

Clicking without thinking can be a reckless decision. Make sure you only download files from websites and e-mail addresses you trust to avoid clicking on malicious links. 

3. Never provide personal or financial information in response to e-mail    

With over 3 billion fake emails sent daily, phishing attacks are some of the most common cybersecurity threats. Hackers will pose as someone that the recipient may be familiar with to trick them into opening a malicious link or software. Avoiding emails from unfamiliar senders is the safest way to avoid these types of scams. 

4. Avoid using public computers for personal transactions  

Using public computers can pose a security risk to your personal information. When handling sensitive information, it is important that you are on a secured, private network. Along with this, it is important to secure your mobile device. Be sure to turn off Bluetooth settings and do not automatically connect to any public Wi-Fi connections when handling your personal information. Try to connect to private networks when accessible. 

5. Check your accounts frequently 

It is important to keep track of your digital footprint, such as checking your social media, deleting accounts you’re not using, and setting strong passwords. One way you can securely monitor your child’s finances is through the MobiMoney app. MobiMoney allows you to: 

• Control your Family First credit or debit cards usage by restricting purchases and giving yourself boundaries for your spending by easily turning your card on and off.  
  
  
• Monitor their spending and transactions so that they are protected as they start spending their own money. 
  
  
• Set notifications so that when a transaction occurs, you can review the transaction amount, card location and status, and the transaction and merchant type. This gives you a step up in the event that a fraudulent transaction occurs.  

• See standard financial information such as account balances and transaction histories. You also have the ability to make intra bank transfers! 

Checking your own bank account and monitoring for fraudulent activity has never been easier with our on-line banking services. Notify us if you see any unusual activity. 

Stay Secure with Family First Credit Union 

We’re here for you every step of the way. To learn more information about keeping your family cybersecure, view our available resources here. 

Let us help you keep your finances secure. Contact us today!