The holiday season is a time for joy, celebration, and giving. However, with all the festive activities, it's important to make sure your finances are safe and secure throughout the season. Here are some essential resources and tools to help you protect your information and manage your money effectively during this busy time of year.
1. Remain informed
Visit our Member Security Resource Center for a comprehensive overview of how to protect yourself from fraud and identity theft.
2. Stay prepared with the Identity Theft Victim Kit
If you believe you may be a victim of identity theft, we offer an Identity Theft Victim Kit. This kit includes prevention tips, steps to take if you are a victim, and an Identity Theft Affidavit specifically for Golden 1 members. You can access this at the Member Security Resource Center to get the support you need.
3. Leverage online and mobile banking card management features
Golden 1's online and mobile banking platforms offer several features to help you manage and protect your finances during the holiday season.
● Transaction alerts: Receive notifications for transactions made with your card to stay aware of your spending.
● Card lock: Instantly lock your card if you suspect fraudulent activity to prevent unauthorized use.
● Travel plans: Notify us of your travel plans to avoid disrupting your card usage.
● Transaction maps: View a map of your recent transactions for better tracking and oversight.
● Merchant & category parameters: Set spending limits and categories for your card usage to keep your budget in check.
4. Protect yourself from phishing, smishing, and vishing
During the holidays, cybercriminals often increase their efforts to deceive people through phishing, smishing, and vishing. Below is how to protect yourself.
● Phishing: Be wary of fake emails that look like they're from trusted sources and ask for sensitive information like passwords or credit card numbers. Always verify the sender's authenticity before clicking any links or providing information.
● Smishing: Avoid responding to suspicious text messages that request personal or financial information. Legitimate organizations will not ask for such information via text.
● Vishing: Do not provide personal or financial information over the phone unless you know the caller's identity. When in doubt, hang up and call the organization directly using a known and verified phone number.
5. Start saving with peace of mind
Consider setting up a secure savings account specifically for holiday expenses this year. Golden 1's Santa SaverSM Savings Account is a great option for this purpose, as it lets you make deposits that you'll only be able to access when the holiday season starts.
The holidays should be a time of joy and celebration, not financial stress. By utilizing Golden 1's resources and tools, you can keep your finances secure and focus on what truly matters—spending time with loved ones.
Visit our Member Security Resource Center and take advantage of our online and mobile banking features to ensure a safe and happy season.
