The risks to members of mobile fraud are similar to other types of online fraud. Fraudsters try to obtain information through various means on your mobile device (tablets, smartphones and more) to access your personal and account information. For instance, smishing is phishing on phones through text messages.

Online banking from your mobile device including smartphones means the convenience of on-the-go banking perks like chequing account balances, viewing account activity, paying bills and transferring funds. Comtech Fire Credit Union offers a number of ways to bank using your mobile devices, including the Comtech Fire Credit Union Mobile App.

You should treat your mobile security as seriously as you would your home computer. While banking in the palm of your hand in real time is fast and convenient, there are a few simple steps you must take to protect yourself and your important information.

What we do to protect you

Mobile banking for smartphones uses the same personal access features as our online banking. Log in using the same member number and personal access code you use for online banking at comtechfirecu.com. However, it's easier for a smartphone to be lost or stolen than your home computer.

Top five steps you can take to protect yourself

1. Make sure you use the password protection offered on your mobile device. Many newer mobile devices come with built-in password protection to lock your device if it is ever lost or stolen. You must enable this, and set the device to lock within the shortest time-out period, to help protect you if the unfortunate occurs.
2. Never store confidential personal information on your mobile device.
3. Disable Bluetooth when not in use. Although Bluetooth may make it easier (and safer) to talk at times, hackers can take advantage of an always-on setting.
4. Check out what software your phone provider offers to protect against viruses and online hazards, and use antivirus, encryption and firewalls whenever possible.
5. Think before you download an application. Before you download apps on your devices, read the privacy policy so you know what data an app can access.

Other ideas to protect against online banking fraud

1. Use Account Alerts. Your Member Direct online banking allows you to set up account activity alerts that come directly to your smartphone. Any activity in your account will generate a text message or an e mail message so you will know about any possible fraudulent access to your account.
2. If you rarely or never use e-transfers, we can set up this feature to a low maximum dollar amount to discourage unauthorized access from fraudsters
3. Change your online passwords often and clear your browsing history, cookies and bookmarks regularly.

Avoiding bank fraud is everybody’s business. Let’s work together to ensure it doesn’t happen to you!