Top Tools for Protecting Your Digital Financial Life

Managing your money online has never been more convenient—but with greater access comes greater risk. At Lafayette Federal Credit Union, we’re not just here to help you grow your finances. We’re here to help you protect them.

Cybercriminals are always coming up with new tricks. However, you can protect your financial information. Use the right digital security tools and develop good habits.

Here are the top tools and strategies every Lafayette Federal member should use to safeguard their digital financial life.

If you use the same password across multiple websites, you’re putting your financial accounts at risk. A single data breach on one site could give hackers access to all your accounts.

That’s why using a password manager is essential. These tools create and safely store strong, unique passwords for each of your accounts. This lets you manage your credentials and protect your financial accounts with one master password.

For even stronger security, enable multi-factor authentication (MFA) on all financial accounts. MFA adds an extra step for verification.

This step involves entering a code sent to your phone or made by an app. This happens before you get access. Lafayette Federal’s online banking system uses MFA. We strongly encourage all members to turn it on for extra protection.

Your devices—laptops, smartphones, and tablets—are gateways to your financial information. Without proper protection, they can be vulnerable to viruses, ransomware, and malware that target banking credentials and personal data.

Antivirus software detects and blocks threats before they cause harm. Ensure you regularly update and activate your antivirus on all devices you use for banking or online transactions.

When you use public Wi-Fi networks, like at airports, coffee shops, or hotels, cybercriminals can intercept your data. A virtual private network (VPN) keeps your connection safe. It encrypts your internet traffic. This helps protect your online banking and financial activities.

Whether you’re at home or on the go, use a VPN for online banking. It’s the easiest way to use secure internet for financial transactions.

Phishing scams are one of the most common tactics used by cybercriminals to gain access to your accounts. These emails or text messages often look like they come from trusted sources, like your credit union. Scammers aim to trick you into giving away sensitive information or clicking on harmful links.

Here are the key signs of a phishing attempt:

• Spelling and grammatical errors
• Urgent or threatening language (e.g., “Immediate action required!”)
• Requests for personal data (like Social Security numbers or PINs)
• Suspicious links or attachments

If something doesn’t seem right, do not click. Instead, contact the institution directly through official channels to verify any message’s legitimacy.

Lafayette Federal will never ask for your password, PIN, or Social Security number. They will not ask for this information through email, text, or unexpected phone calls. If you think you might be a victim of fraud or clicked a strange link, contact us right away. We can help secure your account.

One of the smartest ways to monitor your financial accounts is by turning on account alerts. These customizable notifications can be sent via text, email, or push notification and will immediately alert you to:

• Unusual account activity
• Password or profile changes
• Large withdrawals or deposits
• Low balance warnings

These real-time alerts help you spot suspicious behavior early. You can take quick action to avoid costly mistakes, like overdrafts or unauthorized transactions.