Top 4 Account Security Alerts You'll Want to Turn On

If you're not already using security alerts for your bank and credit union accounts, here's a quick summary of why you should be, as well as which alerts our members find most helpful.

What Are Account Security Alerts?

Most financial institutions have an option for you to enroll in text or email notifications if a specific activity occurs on your account. You choose between several options - notification of a transfer from checking to savings, mobile check deposit notifications, ATM use notifications, and many others. Here, we'll highlight the top security alerts our members are currently using to keep their money safe while banking online.

Here's how to turn on security alerts from Copper State CU mobile banking:

Email or Text Security Alerts?

Once you turn these account security alerts on, you will automatically receive notifications via email. Now, we know that's not everyone's cup of tea. If you prefer alerts via text message (SMS), here's how to make the switch! Once you follow the tutorial below, you'll have the opportunity to toggle security alerts via SMS, email, or both for your security alert preferences.

Log in via Copper State CU mobile app
Choose 'More' in bottom right
Choose 'Settings'
Choose 'Contact'
Under Mobile, toggle on 'Enable SMS' and then 'Save Phone'
Send Security Code via text, then enter the code, and 'Save Phone' again.

Deposit Complete

Clearly, knowing when money lands in your account is going to be high on the priority list. Although it's not necessarily a security issue to know when you get paid, it might make a big impact on whether you make that trip to Costco today or wait a week. 😅

Even though most companies have shifted from paper paychecks to direct deposit, there's still a desire for that feeling of someone handing you your paycheck for a job well done. That's where our most popular security alert comes in - Deposit Complete. You have the ability to choose which account you'd like to monitor (for most of us, our direct deposit is going into a checking account) and you can set it to detect an exact deposit amount OR just any deposit above a certain threshold. Check out the video on how to set it up:

Best Fraud-Fighting Security Alert: Debit Card Transaction Alert

If you use your debit card a lot, you might think that it would be annoying to get a text message or email every time the debit card is used. But it's more annoying to have someone steal your debit card or your identity and make purchases pretending to be you! That's why so many of our members are signed up for debit card transaction alerts— no one wants to become a victim of debit card fraud.

P.S. If you or someone you know is suffering from identity theft, check out our exclusive Identity Theft Protection Checklist to help you restore your financial security and identity.

Whether you're wanting to keep tabs on your spending or make sure your debit card never gets compromised, it's a good choice to turn on this alert.

Tip: Many fraudsters will make a very small 'trial' purchase with a stolen card number to see if it works and test the waters to see if you'll notice. That's why it makes sense when setting up debit card transaction security alerts, to have the minimum amount be $0.01.

Another Great Fraud-Fighting Security Alert:

Online Banking Access Alert

If someone logs in to your online banking account, would you want to know? Of course! This security alert is an easy way to keep tabs on your online banking login sessions. If it's not you who is signing in, and you get a text or email alert that someone is accessing your online banking, this is like a "Potential Identity Theft!" alarm that you can immediately take action on by changing your password and contacting your institution. Here's how to toggle this alert to 'On.'

Btw... starting off with strong passwords can prevent your accounts from getting breached.

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Most Helpful Security Alert:

Balance Alert

If you've ever lost track of how much money is in your account (🙋) this security alert will be a big help. Basically, you set it to alert you if your account ever goes below a certain dollar amount. For some, a good number might be $10, for others, it might be higher. It's a nice early warning if you know if your balance reaches a critical (to you) level.

What's your favorite security alert? If you aren't enrolled in online banking yet, do it now! This will unlock all of your alerting capabilities and help keep you in-the-know for the important stuff like your credit score.

More Resources on Keeping Your Money Safe 👇

This article is intended to be a general resource only and is not intended to be nor does it constitute legal advice. Any recommendations are based on opinion only.