7 Ways to Protect Your Banking Information

Sofiia Diachenko | July 27, 2023

Edited by Hannah Locklear

Digital banking is very convenient and easy to use. You don’t have to wait in line at the bank, pay hefty fees or spend your time traveling from one bank to the next one. These days, everything can be done online. However, this increases the risks of having your financial data stolen or misused, which is why you need to be careful.

While banks and financial institutions have their policies and strategies to protect your data, you need to make sure this is the case on your side, too. That being said, we’d like to share with you seven ways to boost your online banking security and how to deal with fraudulent debt.

Sued for a fraudulent debt? Use SoloSuit to respond and win in court.

1. Keep your device safe

An antivirus is an excellent idea, but it’s not enough. With the increasing security risks of today, it’s very important to use additional apps that will secure the device you use to access your financial information. For instance, on MacBooks, this can be Clean My Mac. This app is useful because it checks for malicious software and can potentially save you many headaches – and losses. It can even eliminate common Macbook charging issues among other features.

2. Enable two-factor authentication

Also known as multi-factor authentication, this is a very good step toward protecting your information. Basically, you’d need to enter another piece of information to verify your identity. When you access your data, you’ll need your username and password, but also a third piece that should serve as a barrier to those who somehow have the former piece of data.

This can be a passcode you’ll receive via text message – or even a fingerprint. Today, with 78% of people who prefer to bank online, two-factor authentication is even a prerequisite with some banks.

3. Keep your antivirus updated at all times

The antivirus is there for a reason, but it doesn’t do you much good if you fail to update it. Software companies that manage antiviruses keep track of cybercriminals’ behavior. They update the software to protect you from the latest scams. If you want to protect your assets and your device, keep the software up to date on all devices you use to access them.

4. Don’t use public wi-fi for banking

When you use a public network, you put yourself at an unnecessary risk. Whenever possible, avoid using public internet connection to do your private banking.

If you absolutely must access the information using Wi-Fi, at least use VPN to protect your privacy. This will encrypt the data and give you an additional security boost. Also, if public Wi-F is your only option, try to stick with sites that you know are secure.

5. Be wary of phishing scams

Phishing is one of the most common ways for thieves to access your financial and personal information. They aren’t hacking your device, really. Instead, they are tricking you in willingly giving them your information. In this case, no matter what steps your bank takes to protect you, it’s you who hands over the information to the criminal.

Phishing comes in many forms. You can get a message that is seemingly from your bank and reply with your personal information. You can get a link to a dummy site or download a link that will install malware into your device.

Inform yourself of phishing scams – they change all the time. Never, ever hand out personal or banking details unless you are absolutely sure it’s your bank.

6. Only use reliable apps and financial institutions

Pick the institution that’s most convenient to you, but make sure it uses industry-standard security measures. Top security should be your biggest priority.

Most people these days use financial apps to process payments and keep track of their money. If you plan to do this, make sure you are using your financial institution’s official application.

7. Use long, complex passwords

Simple, one-word passwords are easiest to remember, but they put you at great risk of hacking. This is why most websites, especially financial institutions require a more complex password using characters, upper and lower case, numbers, and symbols.

Even if they don’t, you should always use long, complex passwords to protect yourself against hackers. Also, avoid using personal information such as your name or address, and try to use different passwords for different accounts.

Here are some tips for password protection:

• Use a mix of uppercase and lowercase letters.
• Include a special character or two.
• Include numbers in your password.
• Have different passwords for different accounts, especially your online banking account.
• Don’t rely on simple combinations or commonly used passwords.
• Never use personal information like your name.
• Choose longer passwords.
• Never store your login information on a piece of paper, in your mobile app, or anywhere else.
• Don’t write the password on your card or keep it in your wallet.
• Update your passwords as often as you can (at least once in a few months).

Finally, consider changing your password from time to time. This will give you added protection from hackers and scammers.

Sign up for alerts

Most apps will allow you to get alerts whenever a transaction is made on your account. If there’s a transfer or purchase you didn’t make, you can get real-time notification and at least protect yourself against further crime. If this happens, reach out to the bank as soon as you see the alert.

How Protected Is Your Financial Information?

Online banking can be very safe as well as convenient, but only as long as you take steps to protect your data. Yes, it’s vital to choose a financial institution and app with strong security measures in place. But at the end of the day, most financial crime happens because users aren’t careful enough. By practicing these tips, you can maximize your online banking security. But if it’s too late and your information has already been compromised, SoloSuit might be the best solution to your problem.

Respond to a fraudulent debt lawsuit

If you’re being sued for a fraudulent debt, you’re not alone.

In 2022, consumers reported losing more than $8.8 billion to fraudulent debt and scams, which is more than a 30% increase compared to 2021.

It’s clear that online privacy and banking security are essential in today’s world, but what happens when you’re too late? If you’re being contacted about a fraudulent debt, SoloSuit can help you stand up for your rights against debt collectors.

The first step to winning your debt lawsuit is to respond to the case with a written Answer document. SoloSuit’s software can help you draft and file an Answer that is personalized to your case — all in a matter of minutes. You’ll be able to deny all the claims against you and assert your affirmative defenses. SoloSuit has successfully helped hundreds of thousands of consumers, like you, defend themselves in credit card debt lawsuits and win.

Read also: I Got Sued Because of Credit Card Fraud—How I Beat American Express in Court

To learn more about how to respond to a debt lawsuit, watch our video:

What is SoloSuit?

SoloSuit makes it easy to fight debt collectors.

You can use SoloSuit to respond to a debt lawsuit, to send letters to collectors, and even to settle a debt.

SoloSuit's Answer service is a step-by-step web-app that asks you all the necessary questions to complete your Answer. Upon completion, we'll have an attorney review your document and we'll file it for you.

>>Read the FastCompany article: Debt Lawsuits Are Complicated: This Website Makes Them Simpler To Navigate

>>Read the NPR story on SoloSuit. (We can help you in all 50 states.)

How to answer a summons for debt collection in your state

Here's a list of guides for other states.

All 50 states.

• Alabama
• Alaska
• Arizona
• Arkansas
• California
• Colorado
• Connecticut
• Delaware
• Florida
• Georgia
• Hawaii
• Idaho
• Illinois
• Indiana
• Iowa
• Kansas
• Kentucky
• Louisiana
• Maine
• Maryland
• Massachusetts
• Michigan
• Minnesota
• Mississippi
• Missouri
• Montana
• Nebraska
• Nevada
• New Hampshire
• New Jersey
• New Mexico
• New York
• North Carolina
• North Dakota
• Ohio
• Oklahoma
• Oregon
• Pennsylvania
• Rhode Island
• South Carolina
• South Dakota
• Tennessee
• Texas
• Utah
• Vermont
• Virginia
• Washington
• West Virginia
• Wisconsin
• Wyoming

Guides on how to beat every debt collector

Being sued by a different debt collector? Were making guides on how to beat each one.

• Absolute Resolutions Investments LLC
• Accredited Collection Services
• Alliance One
• Amcol Clmbia
• American Recovery Service
• Asset Acceptance LLC
• Asset Recovery Solutions
• Associated Credit Services
• Autovest LLC
• Cach LLC
• Cavalry SPV I LLC
• Cerastes LLC
• Colinfobur
• Covington Credit
• Crown Asset Management
• CTC Debt Collector
• Cypress Financial Recoveries
• Delanor Kemper & Associates
• Eagle Loan of Ohio
• Educap
• Estate Information Services
• FIA Card Services
• Forster & Garbus
• Freshview Solutions
• Fulton Friedman & Gullace LLP
• Harvest Credit Management
• Howard Lee Schiff
• Hudson & Keyse LLC
• Integras Capital Recovery LLC
• Javitch Block
• Jefferson Capital Systems LLC
• LVNV Funding
• Mannbracken
• Mariner Finance
• Medicredit
• Michael J Adams PC
• Michael J Scott
• Midland Funding LLC
• Mullooly, Jeffrey, Rooney & Flynn
• Mountain Land Collections
• MRS Associates
• National Collegiate Trust
• Nationstar Foreclosure
• Northstar Capital Acquisition
• NCEP LLC
• NRC Collection Agency
• OneMain Financial
• Palisades Collection LLC
• Pallida LLC
• Paragon Revenue Group
• Pinnacle Collections Agency
• PMAB LLC
• Portfolio Recovery Associates
• Provest Law
• PYOD LLC
• Reunion Student Loan Finance Corporation
• Revenue Group
• Regents and Associates
• RSIEH
• Salander Enterprises LLC
• Second Round Sub LLC
• Security Credit Services
• Sherman Financial Group
• Suttell and Hammer
• T-Mobile
• Transworld Systems
• Tulsa Teachers Credit Union
• UCB Collection
• Velo Law Office
• Velocity Investments
• Waypoint Resource Group
• Weinberg and Associates
• Wolpoff & Abramson

Win against credit card companies

Is your credit card company suing you? Learn how you can beat each one.

• Bank of America
• Capital One
• Chase
• Credit One Bank
• PayPal Synchrony Card
• SYNCB/PPEXTR
• Synchrony Bank
• Target National Bank
• Wells Fargo

Going to Court for Credit Card Debt — Key Tips

How to Negotiate Credit Card Debts

How to Settle a Credit Card Debt Lawsuit — Ultimate Guide

Get answers to these FAQs

Need more info on statutes of limitations? Read our 50-state guide.

Why do debt collectors block their phone numbers?

How long do debt collectors take to respond to debt validation letters?

What are the biggest debt collector companies in the US?

Is Zombie Debt Still a Problem in 2019?

SoloSuit FAQ

If a car is repossessed, do I still owe the debt?

Is Portfolio Recovery Associates Legit?

Is There a Judgment Against Me Without my Knowledge?

Should I File Bankruptcy Before or After a Judgment?

What is a default judgment?— What do I do?

Summoned to Court for Medical Bills — What Do I Do?

What Happens If Someone Sues You and You Have No Money?

What Happens If You Never Answer Debt Collectors?

What Happens When a Debt Is Sold to a Collection Agency

What is a Stipulated Judgment?

What is the Deadline for a Defendants Answer to Avoid a Default Judgment?

Can a Judgement Creditor Take my Car?

Can I Settle a Debt After Being Served?

Can I Stop Wage Garnishment?

Can You Appeal a Default Judgement?

Do I Need a Debt Collection Defense Attorney?

Do I Need a Payday Loans Lawyer?

Do student loans go away after 7 years? — Student Loan Debt Guide

Am I Responsible for My Spouses Medical Debt?

Should I Marry Someone With Debt?

Can a Debt Collector Leave a Voicemail?

How Does Debt Assignment Work?

What Happens If a Defendant Does Not Pay a Judgment?

How Does Debt Assignment Work?

Can You Serve Someone with a Collections Lawsuit at Their Work?

What Is a Warrant in Debt?

How Many Times Can a Judgment be Renewed in Oklahoma?

Can an Eviction Be Reversed?

Does Debt Consolidation Have Risks?

What Happens If You Avoid Getting Served Court Papers?

Does Student Debt Die With You?

Can Debt Collectors Call You at Work in Texas?

How Much Do You Have to Be in Debt to File for Chapter 7?

What Is the Statute of Limitations on Debt in Washington?

How Long Does a Judgment Last?

Can Private Disability Payments Be Garnished?

Can Debt Collectors Call From Local Numbers?

Does the Fair Credit Reporting Act Work in Florida?

The Truth: Should You Never Pay a Debt Collection Agency?

Should You Communicate with a Debt Collector in Writing or by Telephone?

Do I Need a Debt Negotiator?

What Happens After a Motion for Default Is Filed?

Can a Process Server Leave a Summons Taped to My Door?

Learn More With These Additional Resources:

Need help managing your finances? Check out these resources.

How to Make a Debt Validation Letter - The Ultimate Guide

How to Make a Motion to Compel Arbitration Without an Attorney

How to Stop Wage Garnishment — Everything You Need to Know

How to File an FDCPA Complaint Against Your Debt Collector (Ultimate Guide)

Defending Yourself in Court Against a Debt Collector

Tips on you can to file an FDCPA lawsuit against a debt collection agency

Advice on how to answer a summons for debt collection.

Effective strategies for how to get back on track after a debt lawsuit

New Hampshire Statute of Limitations on Debt

Sample Cease and Desist Letter Against Debt Collectors

The Ultimate Guide to Responding to a Debt Collection Lawsuit in Utah

West Virginia Statute of Limitations on Debt

What debt collectors cannot do — FDCPA explained

Defending Yourself in Court Against Debt Collector

How to Liquidate Debt

Arkansas Statute of Limitations on Debt

Youre Drowning in Debt — Heres How to Swim

Help! Im Being Sued by My Debt Collector

How to Make a Motion to Vacate Judgment

How to Answer Summons for Debt Collection in Vermont

North Dakota Statute of Limitations on Debt

ClearPoint Debt Management Review

Indiana Statute of Limitations on Debt

Oregon Eviction Laws - What They Say

CuraDebt Debt Settlement Review

How to Write a Re-Aging Debt Letter

How to Appear in Court by Phone

How to Use the Doctrine of Unclean Hands

Debt Consolidation in Eugene, Oregon

Summoned to Court for Medical Bills? What to Do Next

How to Make a Debt Settlement Agreement

Received a 3-Day Eviction Notice? Heres What to Do

How to Answer a Lawsuit for Debt Collection

Tips for Leaving the Country With Unpaid Credit Card Debt

Kansas Statute of Limitations on Debt Collection

How to File in Small Claims Court in Iowa

How to File a Civil Answer in Kings County Supreme Court

Roseland Associates Debt Consolidation Review

How to Stop a Garnishment

Debt Eraser Review

Do Debt Collectors Ever Give Up?

Can They Garnish Your Wages for Credit Card Debt?

How Often Do Credit Card Companies Sue for Non-Payment?

How Long Does a Judgement Last?

​​How Long Before a Creditor Can Garnish Wages?

How to Beat a Bill Collector in Court