Protect Your Identity in a Digital World

Robins Financial Credit Union is dedicated to our mission to be Member Focused, Financial Partners, Community Proud. We empower our members with the knowledge and resources they need to make informed decisions and achieve their financial goals.

Today, we often embrace the idea that “what’s mine is mine and what's yours is yours.” With technology becoming increasingly woven into our everyday lives, this statement is becoming harder to define. Our personal information can be shared, stored, and accessed digitally at any moment. From a simple birthday post on social media or discussing your favorite movie with friends in a shared online space, to storing your card information on an online site. These common activities may seem harmless because we trust that digital encryption guarantees the protection of our data and ensures its safety. However, in reality, nothing shared is completely immune to risk.

Each October we recognize Cybersecurity Awareness Month, making it a great opportunity to raise awareness about potential risks and how to defend your online identity from digital threats. Taking a few extra seconds to verify a link, website, or source can help ensure your personal information stays secure. As your trusted financial partner, we’re here to provide helpful tips and guidance to help you protect your identity in an increasingly digital world.

What is Digital Identity?

Your digital identity is the collection of personal information that exists about you online. Cybercriminals can use these details to commit fraud, steal money, open accounts in your name, or even impersonate you online.

This can involve:

• Your full name, date of birth, and Social Security Number
• Email addresses and phone numbers
• Online usernames and passwords
• Social media profiles and posts
• Banking and credit card information

Protecting your digital identity starts with understanding what information is out there and taking the necessary precautions to protect your data.

Who is at Risk?

Contrary to popular belief, digital threats do not distinguish between age, experience, or familiarity with technology. Anyone can be a victim of digital identity theft as long as there is an opportunity. However, some groups may be more susceptible to risks. Here is a list of the most common groups cybercriminals look for:

• Social Media Enthusiast – The more specifics we share online, the greater the opportunity for our data to fall into the wrong hands. Posting information regarding your personal life, including your birthday, location, and details visible in the background of a post, can reveal insights that may be used to target you.
• Password Recycling – Passwords are your first line of defense before an attack occurs. If one account becomes compromised, reusing or using similar passwords may put your other accounts at risk. Strong passwords help safeguard your information, but creating a unique password for each account adds an extra layer of protection.
• Young Adults – Many younger generations presume themselves as less likely to ever encounter a moment of digital identity theft due to their lifelong experience with technology. Still, their confidence in navigating technology may cause them to overlook common online threats. This group often becomes victim to oversharing on social media or negligently managing their personal information, without fully understanding the long term risks.
• Seniors and Older Adults - Financial experts have noticed that scammers will target older adults by taking advantage of their trusting nature. Scammers may impersonate as the IRS or Medicare in part of their scare tactic to appear legitimate and obtain sensitive information.

Spot the Signs. Stay Secure.

Scammers use a variety of tactics to bypass suspicion and gain access to your personal data. Knowing what to look for can help you recognize the warning signs and stay one step ahead.

• Phishing: These attacks occur when cybercriminals send emails that may disguise themselves as trusted sources such as a financial institution, government agency, or another well-known company. Their objective is to trick you into clicking a suspicious link or providing sensitive information that could put your accounts at risk.
• Fake Websites: By replicating a company's logo and overall look, these online threats can appear to be trusting and can lead individuals to unknowingly share their card information or other sensitive details.
• Relationship Schemes: This is also known as Confidence Fraud. A scammer will mislead a victim online into believing they are a trusted individual and build the relationship around a false identity or fabricated story. In some instances, these scams may involve a romantic relationship, a false hardship, or another deceptive scheme.
• Social Media Scams: These scams often go unnoticed and can be difficult to detect because scammers will use trusted platforms and accounts to establish familiarity. Some examples of these would include Marketplace scams, fake giveaways, and job scams.

Your Digital Security is a Team Effort

As technology becomes increasingly integrated into our daily lives, incorporating some simple practices can help reduce your risk and keep your information protected.

Habits that you could integrate include:

• Verify the organization or individual you are communicating with especially when requesting sensitive information
• Limit what you share online
• Avoid reusing passwords and instead use strong, unique passwords
• Think before you click, even if it seems legitimate
• Enable Multi-Factor Authentication (MFA)
• Monitor your accounts regularly

Robins Financial Credit Union is committed to protecting our members, your accounts, and personal information. That commitment starts with providing the tools and resources you need to recognize potential threats and warning signs. We offer a variety of services, including account alerts, secure Digital Banking, fraud monitoring, and educational resources to help you stay in control of your digital security.

If you suspect your digital identity has been compromised, contact our team immediately. For more information on protecting yourself online, use our step-by-step Digital Banking Guide.

Read our other blog articles to help you gain the financial knowledge you need to succeed.