4 Step Digital Spring Clean
Spring is the season of fresh starts. But while you're washing your windows and sorting through old clothes, there's another kind of cleaning that deserves your attention. With fraud at an all-time high, a little intentional digital housekeeping can go a long way toward protecting your money, identity, and peace of mind.Step 1: Sweep Out Weak & Reused Passwords
If you're still using the same password across multiple accounts or relying on something easily guessed, you're leaving the door open for fraudsters. When one account is compromised in a data breach, criminals use automated tools to try that same password everywhere else. It's called credential stuffing, and it works.Best Practices:
- Use a reputable password manager to generate and store strong, unique passwords for every account.
- Enable multi-factor authentication everywhere you can, but especially for financial accounts, email, and social media. It adds a second verification step, making it much harder for fraudsters to access your accounts even if they have your password.
- Change any passwords you haven't updated in over a year, starting with your email and financial accounts.
Step 2: Dust Off Your Account Activity
When was the last time you reviewed your statements or scrolled through your transactions in Online Banking? Fraudulent charges tend to start small to test accounts before making larger moves. A quick review can stop fraudsters before they wreak havoc.Best Practices:
- Regularly review all your transactions. (We suggest at least once a month.)
- Preview your credit report anytime through Credit Monitoring in Online Banking to check for any issues or errors.
- Set up real-time account alerts using Card Controls & Alerts.
Step 3: Clear Out Your Digital Footprint
Every app you've downloaded, every account you've signed up for, and every email list you're on is a potential exposure point. The less of your information that exists out there, the safer you’ll be.Best Practices:
- Delete apps and close old accounts you no longer use. Think shopping sites, food delivery platforms, or services you tried once.
- Review the permissions on your current apps. Does that flashlight app really need access to your contacts? Revoke anything that seems unnecessary.
- Unsubscribe from marketing email lists that you’re no longer interested in.
- Set your social media accounts to private and be mindful of what you share. Fraudsters often use information from public profiles to answer security questions.
Step 4: Watch for Spring Scams
Some scams are more prevalent at certain times of year. Here are a few to keep an eye out for.- Tax refund scams. Fake IRS texts, emails, or calls claiming you owe money or are owed a refund. When in doubt, verify official contact information and reach out directly.
- Spring sale phishing emails. "Limited-time offers" from someone posing as your favorite retailer designed to steal your payment info. Go directly to the source, visit the brand’s official website.
- Peer-to-peer payment fraud. Scammers posing as your credit union or a known contact on Zelle, Venmo, or Cash App. Once sent, those payments are nearly impossible to recover.
- Quishing, aka QR code scams. QR codes on flyers, menus, or emails that redirect to malicious sites. Use caution when scanning and always verify the URL.
A Clean Digital Footprint Is a Safer One
You don’t have to be a tech expert to protect yourself from fraud. This spring, set aside time to update your passwords, review your accounts, narrow your digital footprint, and stay alert to the scams currently in season.You’re not alone. Our dedicated fraud team is focused on one thing: keeping your information and money safe! If you fear you’re a victim of fraud, call us right away. The faster you report it, the better chance of mitigating the damage and keeping your information and money safe.
May 1, 2026
Stay Safe
