"Wells Fargo has a long commitment of educating people about fraud and helping them protect themselves,” said Secil Watson, senior vice president, Wells Fargo Internet Services Group. “We offer tips, the Fraud Information Center, and we co-sponsor the Javelin Strategy & Research Identity Fraud Survey Report as part of this commitment. We'd like to see continued declines in reported fraud and we want to underscore the importance of people's continued vigilance in protecting their accounts and personal financial information.”
Online and Mobile Fraud Prevention Tips
Stay Current:
- Keep updated: Keep your computer operating system up-to-date to ensure the highest level of protection. Help protect your computers with regular anti-virus software updates.
- Change passwords: It’s a good idea to regularly change your online banking passwords. Be sure your online banking username and password differ from those used on other websites.
- Use official apps: Mobile banking applications, or "apps," are programs you can download to your mobile device. To ensure the safety of your personal and account information, download mobile apps from reputable sources only.
- Go paperless and monitor: According to Javelin Strategy & Research, fraudsters continue to use traditional methods to gather information, including paper mail that may contain account numbers or other confidential information.
- Sign up for alerts: Keep a close watch on your finances to quickly spot suspicious activity. Wells Fargo offers many types of alerts, such as a low balance alert that tells you when your account balance falls below your chosen amount. Based on customer preferences, alerts can be sent through email or to a mobile device for quick notification.
- Review credit report: At least once a year, check your credit report for any suspicious or unauthorized activity.
- Be careful what you disclose: If you’re suspicious about a request for your personal information that you've received through an email, text message, website, by mail or phone, first verify the request. Use a legitimate source to confirm the request by calling the number listed on the company's website, billing statement, or on the back of the debit or credit card. Never share your mother’s maiden name, Social Security or Identity number, bank account numbers, or account usernames and passwords. Keep your phone number and home address private so they can't be collected.
- Store a copy of your personal & financial information in a secure location: Take a moment to inventory or photocopy the personal and financial information you carry in your purse or wallet, including items such as your driver’s license and credit cards. Store this list in a secure location. This important step will help you know whom to contact if your wallet or purse is ever lost or stolen.
