Protect your identity and financial transactions

Whether or not you are considering a major financial purchase like buying a home, there are some simple but important ways you can protect yourself from online fraud and identity theft.

Strong Passwords

Your first and most critical line of defense for cyber security is your password. Familiar words or names of kids or pets can be easy to guess. Here are some tips to help make sure your password can withstand an assault.

• Never write your password down
• Use strong passwords or pass phrases you can remember
• Don't use the same password for multiple sites
• Never use obvious passwords others can guess

Privacy Settings

Be careful what you share and with whom. Information made available online can be accessed and used to gain access to personal and financial information.

• Carefully manage privacy settings in each social platform
• Consider what type of information you share with others
• Use unique, strong passwords and pass phrases to protect each account

Be aware that your entire digital presence can give clues that open the door to cyber identity theft.

Online Fraud

The number of ways criminals can trick you into clicking and revealing personal identity or financial information is steadily growing. Most of these schemes can be identified simply by taking a closer look.

• Be careful not to open emails sent from a "spoof" account
• Do not click on links you don't recognize or trust
• Look for clues that messages may not be official
• Never give out personal information via email
• Don't connect online with people you don't know

For Your Safety

Aiello & Associates will never ask you for passwords or personal information via email.

Very Important: While your transaction is in process – If you receive any email requests or instructions to change payments or wire instructions, immediately contact your escrow officer directly to confirm the legitimacy of the email. Once a wire is sent to a fraudulent account it would be almost impossible to get your fund returned.