At Branch, we’re committed to helping you keep your account and personal information secure. Because of this—and in honor of March being National Fraud Prevention month—we’ve put together this Fraud Prevention Checklist to help you avoid scams and financial fraud. Use these six tips to steer clear of fraudsters and other bad actors and keep your hard-earned money where it belongs: in your account.
Keeping your personal data safe starts with using strong passwords and PINs. Choose a unique passcode for your Branch account and a unique PIN for your Branch Card that isn’t already in use with other accounts or cards.
It’s also smart to make sure that the email login tied to your account has a strong password, too. This means that it’s not already in use for other accounts and isn’t an easily-guessed phrase like your birthday or address. Email hacking is very common, which can lead to financial fraud and account take-overs.
It’s easier for fraudsters to take advantage of your account or information if you don’t keep tabs on it. Luckily, Branch makes it easy to get a quick, at-a-glance view of your account balance and transactions.
Make sure you’re checking your account regularly for any unauthorized transactions. Sometimes fraudsters will try to charge small amounts at first to see if they go unnoticed, before making larger purchases.
If you want additional peace of mind, you can also turn on your notification preferences in-app to alert you anytime a purchase is made. This can be super helpful in quickly identifying fraudulent activity.
Anytime you receive a communication from a financial institution or other business where sensitive data may be involved, it’s important to verify who the message is coming from. Here’s a quick rundown of how to do it:
Remember, email communications from Branch will only be sent to you from the following addresses:
You should never share your PIN or passcode with someone else or write it down where it can be easily seen. This one may sound obvious, but our support team is surprised to hear how many people have written their PIN on their card—which can leave you especially susceptible to fraud.
Avoid using a friend’s computer or phone to log in to personal accounts. Having your information auto-saved on multiple devices can increase your chances of fraud or other financial scams. And as a reminder, anyone who has access to your device may also be able to log in to your account as well.
If someone is asking you for personal information or to conduct a transfer or purchase on their behalf, take a beat—especially if it’s conveyed with a sense of urgency.
Fraudsters love to stir up fear and pressure to get you to act quickly. Any legitimate financial institution will not convey urgency in supplying any information or move quicker than you’re comfortable with. If you’re unsure of what to do, contact Branch Support via your number to verify that the communication is legitimate.
If you’re ever in doubt of what information Branch will ask of you, or when we will contact you, remember:
When in doubt, check your account and contact Branch Support. We’re here to help you keep your account as secure as possible.
Branch is not a bank. Banking Services provided by Evolve Bank & Trust, Member FDIC. FDIC insurance only applies for eligible accounts should the bank holding your funds fail. The Branch Mastercard Debit Card is issued by Evolve Bank & Trust pursuant to a license from Mastercard and may be used everywhere Mastercard debit cards are accepted.
