Protect your identity and your money online
Updated: Jul 11
At ROC Financial Solutions, we make it a priority to protect your personal and account information. But there are steps you can take to further increase your security:
1. Avoid public hotspots and free WiFi when accessing your accounta
2. Don't click on links or open attachments from senders that seem suspicious
3. Never give out personal or financial information without verifying a company that you want to do business with first
4. Use distinct passwords when creating online accounts
Manage your password
Protecting your password is one of the easiest things you can do to help secure your account. While we will ensure that your password meets minimum complexity requirements, you can make your password even stronger to further protect yourself.
Reusing the same password across multiple sites is not advisable. Note: If you use the same password across different websites or services, you are particularly susceptible to credential stuffing, the cybercrime technique where stolen account credentials are used to gain unauthorized access to a user’s other online accounts.
Ensure your connection is secure
SSL-capable browsers will display a lock symbol that indicates you are operating in secure mode. Check your browser’s documentation for more information about what to look for. (For those wondering, SSL stands for “Secure Sockets Layer” and is used to establish an encrypted link between a browser and web server.)
Also check the web address to see if it appears as "https://www...." If so, that means that you have accessed a server with enhanced security features.
Clear the cache of your browser
Browsers generally cache, meaning they store some information locally on your computer. That could include images of pages that have already been downloaded in order to provide a faster, better web experience. The point of caching is to provide a speedier experience, but it can potentially leave you more vulnerable to hackers.
By clearing your cache after visiting secure sites, you reduce the risk of exposing confidential information stored locally.
Always sign out of your account
Remember to always sign out when you are finished accessing your financial accounts. If you’re going to be away from your computer for an extended period of time, be sure to sign out then as well. Signing out will end your session and you will be asked to submit your unique email address and password the next time you log in.
Closing your browser entirely can also be a good way of preventing others from accessing your information.
Be vigilant when receiving unexpected calls
Not all calls are genuine. Criminals or hackers can use a wide range of tactics to try to get information from you, including posing as your bank, a relative or another organization. They may already know a few personal details about you like your full name and address, and they could use this information to appear genuine.
If you receive an unexpected call from someone who asks you to give them information about you or your bank account, this could be a scam. If it doesn’t seem right:
Ask them if you can call them back on the business line. A genuine caller should not mind if you want to call them back.
Look up the phone number of the company, then if you can, call them back from a different phone number.
When looking for a private or hard money loan, be cautious of Whatsapp phone numbers, gmail email addresses, and the lack of a company website.
Reduce your public footprint online
Social media impersonation: Criminals are increasingly using social media to build relationships with victims and ultimately steal data. Typically, these scammers create fake accounts that appear (and claim) to be official accounts for an individual or organization.
Social media impersonation can also refer to the takeover of real accounts. These accounts can be used for phishing activities and can cause reputational damage to an individual or company.
