Anjulie Tacey-Causley, Personal Banker
October is Cybersecurity Awareness Month, so it’s a good time to check the small habits that help protect your accounts and personal information.
Digital banking makes it easier to deposit a check, pay bills, and keep up with your business wherever you are. A few careful habits can help you enjoy that convenience with more confidence: pause before responding to unexpected messages, use unique passwords, turn on multifactor authentication, and verify requests through a source you trust.
Why Online Scams Can Be Hard to Spot
A text says there’s suspicious activity on your account. An email claims your package couldn’t be delivered. A caller says they’re from your bank and needs to verify your identity right away.
These situations sound familiar on purpose. Scammers may copy a company’s logo or make a phone number appear familiar, and they often create a sense of urgency so you’ll respond before checking.
The Banks Never Ask That campaign estimates that scammers stole $68 billion from Americans in 2025. The number is striking, but the most useful takeaway is simple: if someone is rushing you to share information or move money, pause and verify the request yourself.
If something doesn’t feel right, please reach out. I’d rather take a few minutes to help you check it than have you feel rushed into a decision.
If a message claims to be from Waterford Bank, use the number on our official website or visit a branch to check it. Waterford Bank will never ask you to share your account number, username, password, or one-time security code by phone, email, or text.
Five Habits That Help Protect Your Personal Information
1. Check unexpected requests
Avoid signing in through a link in an unexpected text or email. Open the company’s app yourself, type its known website address into your browser, or call a number you already trust.
2. Use a different password for each account
A unique password helps keep one compromised account from putting others at risk. A password manager can help you create and store strong passwords.
3. Turn on multifactor authentication
Multifactor authentication, or MFA, adds another step when you sign in. Use it wherever it’s available, especially for email and financial accounts. Never share a one-time code with someone who calls or messages you.
4. Keep your devices up to date
Turn on automatic updates when available. Updates can fix security weaknesses in your phone, computer, and tablet.
5. Be mindful of what you share online
Personal details can help a scammer make a message sound convincing. Check your privacy settings and talk with family members about what to do when a message seems suspicious.
Cybersecurity Tips for Local Businesses
Protecting a business also means protecting employees, customers, and everyday operations. Simple routines can make a difference:
- Use MFA for business accounts wherever available.
- Keep computers and software updated, and back up important data regularly.
- Train employees to recognize suspicious messages and make it easy to report them.
- Give employees access to sensitive information based on their responsibilities.
If a payment instruction or account change arrives unexpectedly, verify it through a phone number you already know before acting.
What Should You Do If Something Doesn’t Feel Right?
If you think you responded to a scam, stop communicating with the sender and contact your financial institution promptly using a trusted number. If you shared a password, change it on the affected account and anywhere else you reused it. Check your accounts for unfamiliar activity. If you clicked a link that may have downloaded software, run an updated security scan as well.
You do not have to figure it out alone. If a message claims to be from Waterford Bank, contact your local banking office or stop by a branch. We’re happy to help you check.
There’s no prize for being the first to answer a suspicious text. If something seems off, give yourself time to pause and check through a phone number you trust.
Whether the communication turns out to be a scam or a false alarm, your local Waterford team is here to help you sort it out. Your peace of mind is worth the extra minute.
Frequently Asked Questions About Cybersecurity
How can I tell if an email or text is a scam?
Watch for unexpected requests, urgency, and pressure to click a link, share information, or move money. Contact the company independently through its official app, website, or a number you already trust.
What is phishing?
Phishing is a message or fake website designed to look trustworthy so someone will share sensitive information or open a harmful link.
What is multifactor authentication (MFA)?
MFA requires another way to verify it is you when you sign in, such as an authentication app, fingerprint, or one-time code. Never give a one-time code to someone who contacts you.
Does Waterford Bank ever ask for my online banking password or verification code?
No. Waterford Bank says it will never ask you to share account numbers, usernames, passwords, or one-time security codes by phone, email, or text.
What should I do if I clicked on a suspicious link?
If you entered a password, change it promptly and contact the affected company through a trusted channel. If the link may have downloaded software, run an updated security scan. Contact your financial institution promptly if banking information may be at risk.
About the Author
Anjulie Tacey-Causley is a Personal Banker at Waterford Bank, N.A. in Clarkston, Michigan. With extensive experience across various industries, backed by a passion for community service and problem-solving, she’s ready to enhance your personal banking experience.
To learn more or to connect with Anjulie, please reach out at 248-625-8585 or connect with us online.
