FINRA recently released a new Investor Alert to help investors keep their accounts secure and protect their financial information. The goal of an Investor Alert is to provide investors with information to safeguard themselves and assets from fraudulent schemes and broker misconduct.
At Meyer Wilson, we encourage everyone to utilize these tips to keep your brokerage accounts and your personal and financial information safe. We have provided some of FINRA’s most useful tips below.
When creating your accounts, make sure that you have strong and unpredictable pins or passwords. Often, the easiest accounts for people to get into involve birthdays, names, and similar information. Use something longer or more intricate while changing capitalization and number sequence. This goes for your own computer’s login as well.
It is recommended to always use your personal computer when accessing any accounts that may have your personal or financial information. Using a public computer on a public network may leave your passwords, pins, and more vulnerable. Even when you are using your personal computer, you want to make sure that when you are done using your account, you log out completely and the windows are closed.
Open WiFi networks and unsecure websites may leave you open to potential theft. Some individuals know how to use unsecured network connections to gather information input from various devices. Furthermore, when you are on an unsecure website, the information you type in (such as login, passwords, or financial information) may be vulnerable.
Whether you are downloading apps on your mobile device or new programs on your personal computer, make sure they are safe and secure. Make sure that downloads are from trustworthy sources and check to see if there have been any reports of scam online. It is important because submitting your information into an unsecure app or program can leave you open to theft or fraud.
If you have been a victim of identity theft or your financial information was compromised due to fraud, call our securities fraud attorneys. We may be able to help you. Schedule your free consultation today.
