No Tricks, Just Treats: Stay Cybersmart

October may be full of seasonal scares, but scams don’t have to be one of them. Because it’s Cybersecurity Awareness Month, now is a smart time to refresh the everyday habits that help protect your accounts, personal information, and peace of mind.

At Wright-Patt Credit Union^® (WPCU^®), helping members protect their financial well-being is part of what we do. That includes helping you stay safe online as cybercriminals continue to find new ways to target consumers. The good news? A few simple steps can go a long way toward protecting your information and giving you greater peace of mind.

Here are a few practical habits that can help you stay safe and cybersmart this season. 

Build Stronger Locks with Passkeys and Multi-Factor Authentication

Think of passkeys and multi-factor authentication as extra locks on your digital front door. They make it much harder for criminals to access your accounts, even if they somehow get your password.

Passwords have been the foundation of online security for years, but scammers have become increasingly skilled at stealing, guessing, or cracking them. Fortunately, newer tools offer stronger protection.

• Adopt Passkeys: Whenever a website or app offers them, consider switching to passkeys. Passkeys use your device’s biometric data, such as Face ID or a fingerprint, or a secure device PIN to log you in. Because there is no written password to steal or intercept, passkeys can make many traditional phishing attempts much less effective.

• Turn on MFA Everywhere: For accounts that use passwords, MFA adds an important extra layer of protection. It requires a second form of verification, such as a code generated by an authenticator app or a security key, before access is granted. Even if a scammer learns your password, MFA can help keep your account secure.

When you do need to use passwords, make sure each account has a strong, unique password and avoid reusing the same one across multiple sites. A password manager can help you create and securely store complex passwords without having to remember them all yourself.

Beware of Spoofed Communications

Fraudsters are no longer just sending poorly written emails with obvious typos. Today’s scammers are using artificial intelligence (AI) to craft highly convincing phishing emails, personalized text messages (smishing), and even AI-generated voice clones over the phone (vishing).

They often impersonate trusted organizations, including government agencies, delivery services, or even WPCU employees or representatives. They create artificial urgency by claiming your account is locked, a loan is compromised, or a delivery is pending, and then demand that you click a link or verify sensitive information immediately.

• Remember to Pause: If you receive an urgent request for personal information, login credentials, or a verification code, take a step back.

• Verify Independently: Never click links in unsolicited messages or use phone numbers provided in suspicious texts. Log in directly through the official website or app, or call WPCU directly using the trusted number on the back of your debit card or WPCU.coop.

Clean Up and Update Your Digital Footprint

Just like you would lock your doors and windows at home, regularly updating your devices helps close security gaps that criminals look for.

Cybercriminals often target outdated software because it may contain known vulnerabilities that have already been fixed by manufacturer's updates.

• Enable Automatic Updates: Turn on automatic updates for your smartphone, tablet, laptop, browser, and smart home devices whenever possible. Updates often include important security improvements designed to protect you from newly discovered threats.

• Review Your Apps: Take a few minutes to look through the apps on your devices. Delete those you no longer use and review permissions for the ones you keep. Limiting access to your location, contacts, camera, or microphone can help reduce unnecessary risks.

Keep an Eye on Your Accounts

Protecting yourself online is not just about preventing fraud. It is also about catching unusual activity early, before a small issue becomes a bigger problem. Because account monitoring is still largely a manual habit, it is important to review your accounts regularly.

• Review Your Accounts Regularly: Take a few minutes each week to review your account activity and transaction history. Look for purchases, withdrawals, transfers, or payments you do not recognize. The sooner you spot suspicious activity, the sooner you can take action.

• Monitor Your Credit: Your checking and savings accounts are only part of the picture. Reviewing your credit report is another important habit. Visit AnnualCreditReport.com to access your free credit reports and check for accounts, loans, or activity that you don’t recognize.

We're Here to Help

Protecting yourself from scams isn’t about becoming a cybersecurity expert. It’s about building a few simple habits that can help you spot red flags, safeguard your personal information, and respond quickly when something doesn’t seem right.

Scammers are constantly changing their tactics, which is why staying informed is one of the best ways to protect yourself and your money. For timely fraud alerts, practical guidance, and the latest scam prevention tips, visit WPCU.coop/StopFraud.

And if you ever have concerns about your accounts or believe you’re being scammed, don’t hesitate to reach out. Whether you have questions about a suspicious email, text message, phone call, or account activity, our team is here to help.