Smart Back-to-School Shopping: Keeping Your Data Safe This August
August has arrived in Massachusetts, which means the seasonal transition is in full swing. Between enjoying the final weeks of summer at the Cape and planning weekend trips to the local orchards, families across the Commonwealth are gearing up for the unavoidable back-to-school rush. Whether you are sending a little one off to kindergarten in Woburn or packing up a car for a college student heading out to Amherst, back-to-school shopping looks a lot different today than it used to. With so many supplies, tech devices, and textbooks being purchased online, protecting your family’s digital identity is just as important as finding the best deal on a laptop.
Hackers know that parents and students are rushed during the late summer months, making this prime season for digital scams. To help keep your hard-earned savings secure, the team at Common Trust FCU has put together a few simple, actionable habits to practice before hitting that "checkout" button:
Spot the "Too Good to Be True" Deals: Fake online storefronts pop up constantly in August, offering steep discounts on popular student laptops or clothing trends. Stick to trusted retailers, and double-check the website's address (URL) for misspellings or odd extensions.
Ditch Public Wi-Fi for Payments: If you are squeezing in some online shopping while sitting at a local coffee shop, wait until you are on a secure home network to type in your credit card details. Public networks are incredibly easy for scammers to intercept.
Secure Student Devices Early: Before your kids connect their new tablets or laptops to school networks, make sure the operating systems are updated and multi-factor authentication (MFA) is turned on for their student portals and personal emails.
Monitor Your Accounts Regularly: Use the Common Trust FCU mobile banking app to monitor your transactions in real-time. Catching a suspicious charge early is the best way to minimize the headache of identity theft.
As you check the final items off your school supply lists this month, taking just a few minutes to talk about cybersecurity with your family can save you a massive headache later on. Remember, your security is our top priority all year round. If you ever suspect your account information has been compromised, or if you simply want to learn more about our student packages and online protective features, stop by one of our branches or reach out to us online. Have a safe, successful, and secure upcoming school year!