USAA Tips to Be Cyber Smart.

USAA is committed to protecting its members from fraudulent activities and cybersecurity threats. We encourage you to become a more vigilant online consumer by reviewing and embracing the following tips.

Fraudsters are smart, but you’re smarter.

• Identify the imposter. Imposters pretend to represent USAA, another bank, a government agency, or a close family member. These fraudsters are impersonating USAA employees through text and phone calls. Even if it looks or sounds like us, we’ll never call you and ask for login information or one-time codes. Ever.
• If it’s too good to be true. You found that perfect job online. You get hired quickly and receive a check to buy supplies. You’re asked to deposit the check and send back the money you don’t use. Unfortunately, their check bounces, and now you’re at a loss. If you’re ever asked to deposit a check and send money elsewhere, don’t do it. It’s a scam!
• Protect yourself from phishing emails. Pay attention to any email claiming to be a bill or a security alert. If anything looks odd such as misspelled words, your name not appearing on the email, links that don’t appear to go to the right place, requests for you to “verify” your account or personal information, delete the message, and report these requests to [email protected].
• Recognize pressure tactics. Fraudsters will create a false sense of urgency to get you to act. Don’t fall for it.
• Go to the source. Trust your gut. If you’re questioning the person who called you, texted you, or sent you an e-mail, hang up and call the phone number on the back of your card.
• Be a smart sender. Never send money to someone you don’t know in real life, especially through third-party services such as Zelle®, Venmo, and Cash App. Don’t send payment with gift cards. Legitimate businesses will never request a gift card to satisfy a bill.

Stay secure with these best practices.

• USAA won’t ask you for that (or any other financial institution). We’ll never call you to request a one-time verification code, USAA PIN, password, or other personal identification details.
• Enable multifactor authentication. USAA offers a “remember me” feature to help you log in without compromising security.
• Use strong passwords. Traditional passwords aren’t secure enough. Use the strongest authentication options provided, and don’t share or save these details on public devices.
• Monitor your accounts frequently. Keep a close eye on your accounts, respond to fraud alerts and report unauthorized transactions immediately.
• Don’t respond to unsolicited messages. Ignore and delete random texts and e-mails that ask you to click a link or provide personal information. Don’t ever click links from untrusted sources.