Financial Wellness
Stay Safe Online This Financial Literacy Month
April is Financial Literacy Month—and while budgeting and saving get a lot of the spotlight, there's something just as important we want to talk about: protecting the money you've already worked hard for.
Fraud and cyber scams aren't just "old people problems." In fact, younger adults are increasingly targeted because they're so active online. The good news? A few smart habits can go a long way.
Fraud and cyber scams aren't just "old people problems." In fact, younger adults are increasingly targeted because they're so active online. The good news? A few smart habits can go a long way.
Scammers are getting creative
Gone are the days of obvious "Nigerian prince" emails. Today's scams are slick, fast, and designed to catch you off guard. Some of the most common ones targeting younger people right now include:- Fake job offers that ask for your bank info before you've even started
- Phishing texts or DMs pretending to be your bank, Venmo, or Cash App
- "Too good to be true" investment tips pushed through social media
- Textbook scams offering "deals of the century" to lure in students
- Romance scams that build trust over weeks before asking for money
Did you know?
Based on a Synovus report analyzing FTC data, twenty-somethings are the only age category to lose money most often via payment apps.
Simple habits that protect you
You don't need to be a tech expert to stay safe. Here's what actually works:- Use strong, unique passwords for every financial account (a password manager makes this easy)
- Turn on two-factor authentication (2FA)—it's one of the best defenses out there
- Never share OTP codes (one-time passwords) with anyone, ever—not even someone claiming to be us
- Check your accounts regularly so you catch anything suspicious early
- Pause before you click on links in texts or emails, even if they look legit
We've got your back
If you ever notice something suspicious on your account, reach out to us immediately. The faster you act, the better the outcome.We also recommend checking out resources like the FTC's IdentityTheft.gov or Consumer.gov for extra tools and tips.
You've got financial goals worth protecting. Let's make sure nothing gets in the way of them.
References: The Federal Trade Commission (FTC), ABC News
