Ways to Secure Your Mobile Wallet
Mobile wallets have made making purchases more convenient and offer many benefits. Because your mobile wallet connects directly to your financial information, it’s important to take a few extra steps to keep it secure.
Keep Your Phone Locked
It’s very important to always keep your phone locked and have a strong passcode. Create a strong passcode so thieves struggle to guess it if they steal your phone. Avoid using information like birthdays or anniversary dates in your passcodes. Face ID is another great security feature available on many devices. If your device has Face ID or fingerprint features, consider setting them up. These features add another layer of protection to your device and information.
Keep Your Phone and Apps Updated
Software updates include important security improvements, so it’s important to keep everything updated. You can stay on track of updates by turning on automatic updates, making it easier to stay current without having to remember to check manually.
Be Careful with Public Wi-Fi
Public wi-fi can be convenient if you have bad service or don’t want to use your cellular data, but unsecured networks may put your information at greater risk. It’s wise to avoid accessing sensitive financial information or making important account changes while connected to an unfamiliar public network. If you must access financial information on your phone while in public, use your cellular connection instead of connecting to a public wi-fi network.
Turn On Account Alerts
Account alerts make it easy to notice unusual activity quickly. Your card sends you a notification with the transaction amount every time you make a purchase. If you see a transaction you don’t recognize, report it as soon as possible or consider freezing your card. You can set up transaction alerts through your financial institution or your credit card companies.
Know Where Your Phone Is
You should treat your phone like you would your wallet. Keep it with you in public places, and turn on your device’s tracking feature so you can locate it if you lose it or someone steals it. If your phone goes missing in public, you should act quickly. You’ll want to notify your financial institution if you believe your phone is lost and your financial information could be at risk.