Ten Tips to Keep Your Mobile Data Safe

While U.S. consumers are accessing more news and entertainment on mobile devices, they are also shifting many consumer activities online, especially to mobile channels. In fact, in their 2015 holiday shopping report, Rubicon Project® predicted one in four shoppers would use a mobile device to make a holiday purchase this past holiday season.
This increase in mobile traffic has also attracted fraudsters. Last year, LexisNexis® reports in its True Cost of FraudSM study that 21 percent of all fraudulent transactions occurred through mobile channels. As you continue to use your smart phones and tablets to their maximum use, know that your bank, Wells Fargo is committed to working with customers to help protect against fraud. Following are 10 tips to help safeguard your mobile device and financial information:
Use the security functions on your device. It’s important to ensure your mobile device is password- or fingerprint-protected. This helps reduce the chance of your personal information falling into the wrong hands. If your phone is lost, use the “find my phone” or “wipe memory” functions, if available.
Keep your private information private. Never divulge personal or financial information such as account numbers or passwords in a text message, phone call, or email.
Beware of public hotspots. Carefully consider your Wi-Fi and Bluetooth connection settings, even at a trusted retailer; fraudsters can spoof the name of reputable hotspots.
Keep your operating system current. To ensure the highest level of protection, keep your mobile operating system up to date and do not alter or “jail break” your mobile device to modify the software and controls. If you have concerns about an update to your mobile device, visit your service provider’s website to confirm that the update is legitimate.
Avoid storing sensitive information. Don’t save your Wells Fargo password on your smartphone or in an app where it could be discovered if your phone is stolen.
Update your passwords. To create a strong password, include special characters and avoid using any part of your email address, the name of your child or pet, or anything else that someone could easily guess.
Only download apps from reputable sources. Only download mobile applications from an official app store and not a third party.
Use secure shopping sites. Shop with merchants you trust. Make sure internet purchases are secured with encryption to protect your account. Look for secure transaction signs like a lock symbol and “https” in the address bar.
Think before you click. With so many marketing deals offered via email and other digital channels, be wary of clicking on promotional links. If it sounds too good to be true, it usually is.
Pause before you post. Avoid sharing personal details on social media that financial institutions may use to identify you, like your birth date, home address, mother’s maiden name, and schools attended. Fraudsters may use this information to help gain access to accounts, since these identifiers are common answers to security questions.
For more tips on keeping your finances safe, visit Wells Fargo’s Fraud Information Center at https://www.wellsfargo.com/privacy-security/fraud. If you notice suspicious activity or unauthorized transactions on your Wells Fargo account, or have reason to believe your account has been compromised, contact us immediately at 800-869-3557.