You wouldn’t leave your debit card in an ATM and walk away, so don’t leave yourself open to fraud when doing your digital banking at a public computer. It really isn’t a great idea to use publicly available computers to access digital banking, like in a public library. Even benign programs, like popular desktop search…
9 Tips to be smarter with your smartphone
Unless you live under a rock, or are under 13, you probably have a smartphone. It may be hedging my bets, but that’s more common than uncommon now. Smartphones let you surf, shop or bank wherever you are. Make sure your information stays secure while you’re on the move by following these smartphone-safe browsing tips:…
How to protect yourself and report scams
At Encompass Credit Union we offer tips on how to protect yourself from cyber threats. But what should you do when it does happen? The type of recourse depends on the type of cyber incident. One of the most common scams in Canada is a phishing or smishing scam, where a scammer poses as a business or…
Don’t use free WiFi for your digital banking
These days, everyone is on the go and it’s not uncommon to access Wi-Fi at coffee shops, hotels, restaurants or airports. Using wireless networks to access information is convenient, but not risk-free. Be smart when you surf. Protect yourself from threats by: Not using a shared computer to access your digital banking. We strongly recommend not…
Be fraud aware when shopping online
Online shopping is definitely convenient especially now. There are no lines and no crowds, but it can also be a haven for fraudsters. Consider the following tips when shopping online to ensure your information stays secure: Make sure that you are shopping at a trusted retailer when you enter your credit card details online. Use…
It’s not us or them, it’s we
I’m sure everyone is sick of hearing about COVID-19 and its lasting effect on everything from those that become infected to how we live our life each day. It seems incredulous to think that “The Greatest Generation” fought in world wars, and baby boomers built strong economies which we enjoy. But at the same time,…
7 Tips to Protect Yourself From Identity Theft
Identity theft is a serious crime where your personal information—anything from your name, driver’s license, or Social Insurance Number—has been compromised by an impostor who intends to commit fraud in your name. With your Social Insurance Number, someone can easily obtain false lines of credit and rack up significant debt in your name. With a…
It’s never too early to teach your kids financial literacy
We teach our children their ABC’s, 1, 2, 3s, about life, right and wrong, work ethic, and maybe if we’re lucky, influence them on how to be a good person. But one thing that most parents don’t teach their kids soon enough, is the value of being smart with their money. I never really had…
Don’t skip your savings goals during 2020
You may be feeling like the rest of us and just waiting for this very long year to be over, but it’s only halfway through. Barring giant zombie cockroaches or alien invasion, 2020 can only get better, right? Woof, kiss of death. Regardless of what has happened with COVID-19 and all the economic issues in…
Canadian Credit Unions serve their communities
If you’re reading this on July 1st, Happy Canada Day! If you’re reading this any other day, Happy Canada Day anyway. Since it is that time of year, even though 2020 is the year that everyone would like to forget, let’s talk a tiny bit about Canadian credit unions and other financial institutions! How patriotic!…
