National Cyber Security Month

It’s not uncommon in our highly technological day-to-day activities to hear stories about the risks associated with modern business and personal online interactions. From spam email to swiping our debit cards to fill our gas tanks, the best way to prevent those risks is to be aware and alert to them.

October is National Cyber Security Awareness Month, but in any month, the most important key to preventing risks is Awareness. Ethan Kobos, one of our 2020 Dakota West Scholarship recipients, is studying Cyber Security and we asked him about basic precautions he's learned during his studies.

“The easiest way to improve your security is twofold. One, make every password something different from other websites. If one of your passwords is somehow found, then whoever has that information could easily find any account associated with it and take that too.

“Two, make strong passwords. The best passwords are not a long list of numbers that you won't remember unless you write them down, it is a sentence, a movie quote, a saying, anything that you can remember while still being secure.”

Think about the ways you can enhance your prevention skills. Even Ethan, who studies cyber security preparations every day, recognizes the importance of staying aware of new risks.

“The biggest change in my awareness has been the realization that security is not simply software that can invade your computer, but the physical side of security. While finding the password to your wifi may be hard, it would be rather easy to walk up to a router and plug in, no need for a password. It is important to not just focus on one side of security, as they both can lead to an opportunity on the other.”

Dakota West always keeps your security top of mind, but taking an active role in your own security provides an important tool in your overall online safety. Commit time to learn more about how you can be more aware, and even more proactive, in protecting yourself at cisecurity.org or the U.S. Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency website. Together, we will work with you and for you to keep your finances safe.

eStatements Access Online

In addition to eStatements now being available online, we thought we might share with you a few pieces of information you may not have known about your online statements.

One, as you may have noticed on the statements you have been receiving by mail, your accounts are grouped under your primary share account. When you log into your online account, all of your statements, whether checking, loan, or certificate will also be grouped by your Savings account.

Two, if you’ve never enrolled in eStatements, now is the time. In addition to giving you immediate access and eliminating the fees of paper statements, you can print and download your statements directly from your online account. If you've never viewed your Dakota West statements online, the first time you log in to request eStatements, you will need to verify that your computer has the necessary software to enable you to view electronic statements, but that’s all you need to do.

Three, if you currently receive multiple statements due to the variety of Dakota West accounts you have for your family, farm, business, or non-profit organization and would like your eStatements combined into a single statement, please contact us at 800.411.7590 or at dwcu@dakotawestcu.org.

To learn more about eStatements and how to save money by enrolling in eStatements, visit our Member Services information page. While you’re logged in and reviewing your eStatements, be sure to update your email address on file using the Settings icon and selecting Profile so you will be notified as soon as statements are available each month.

Securing Your Identity

Co-Op Shared Branch Network recently shared instances in Michigan of reported fraudsters impersonating members and attempting to change personal information on member accounts to gain access to personal information and online accounts. Securing your personal information requires vigilance by Dakota West and its members. 45% of fraud victims detect the activity themselves.

At Dakota West, we already take steps to ensure requests to change personal information come directly from our members. To update your personal information (address, phone number, email address) members need to visit a branch in person, complete DocuSign verification sent to the email on the account, or log in to your online access to authenticate your identify through the three-tiered verification system.

Members should also be alert to scams that attempt to obtain personal information from you via text or phone. When Dakota West sends alerts regarding potentially fraudulent activity on your account, we do not include requests for your personal information, such as card numbers, PINs, CVV codes, or expiration dates. To learn what types of messages our members can expect from us, please review our Debit and Credit Card Security Services information.

As a best practice, if ever you question if someone identifying themselves as being associated with your credit union or financial institution by email, text, or phone, call Dakota West directly at 800.411.7590. Do not click on email links to websites or to phone numbers within emails or text messages. Never share personal information about yourself or your accounts. We continue to do all we can to protect you and your information, and want to make sure you are equipped to protect yourself, too.

Credit & Debit Card Security

In this digital age, we have the ability to keep track of everything from where our kids are driving to how much cash we are spending. We take the necessary steps to keep our information secure, to keep the screens on our phones from cracking, and to be aware of our surroundings when traveling.

Despite all the ways we try to keep ourselves and our belongings safe, we cannot do it all alone. Here at Dakota West Credit Union we recently rolled out new enhancements as part of our Core Conversion, which include new credit and debit card security services.

Whether in your email, on your phone, or via text message, we are making sure we help you keep your cards secure. As for your son’s driving and the screen on your daughter’s phone, those challenges are here to stay – and good luck with those – but we are working to make fraudulent card activity something we help our members avoid.

Even as a business owner with multiple credit cards in the hands of multiple employees, you can be assured that alerts are brought to your attention. You can receive alerts whether your personal credit card or debit card is in your pocket or connected to your student away at college. We partner with you, your teams, and your family to keep your Dakota West debit and credit cards secure.