Cybercrime During Tax Time: Lock Down Your Login

Stay Safe From Cybercrime during tax time


Marquette Bank is dedicated to helping you identify and avoid scams. The security of your personal information, data and accounts is important to us. We want to help you protect it.

NCSA has some easy-to-use STOP. THINK. CONNECT.™ tips to help protect against fraudster tricks:

KEEP ALL MACHINES CLEAN

Having updated software on all devices that connect to the internet is critical. This includes security software, web browsers and operating systems for PCs and your mobile devices. Having current software is a strong defense against viruses and malware that can steal login credentials or use your computer to generate spam.

LOCK DOWN YOUR LOGIN

Fortify your online accounts by enabling the strongest authentication tools available, such as biometrics, security keys or a unique one-time code through an app on your mobile device. Your usernames and passwords are not enough to protect key accounts like email, banking and social media.

MAKE BETTER PASSWORDS

If your passwords are too short or easy to guess, it’s like giving a cyber thief your banking PIN. Longer  passwords and those that combine capital and  lowercase letters with numbers and symbols provide better protection.

GET SAVVY ABOUT WI-FI HOTSPOTS

Public wireless networks are not secure.  Cybercriminals can potentially intercept internet connections while you are filing highly personal information on public WiFi.

WHEN IN DOUBT, THROW IT OUT

Links in email are often the way bad guys get access to your personal information. If it looks weird, even if you know the source, it’s best to delete.

THINK BEFORE YOU ACT

Be leery of communications that implore you to act immediately – especially if you are told you owe money to the IRS and it must be paid promptly.

FILE YOUR TAX FORMS ON SECURE HTTPS SITES ONLY.

ASK IF YOUR TAX PREPARATION SERVICE HAS CHECKED FOR MALWARE ISSUES.

What to Do if You Think You are a Victim?

  • Contact your bank immediately and close the account, if you believe your account may be compromised. Watch for any unauthorized charges to your account. Consider reporting the attack to your local police department, and file a report with the Federal Trade Commission or the FBI's Internet Crime Complaint Center.
  • Forward phishing emails to spam@uce.gov – and to the company, bank, or organization impersonated in the email. You also may report phishing email to reportphishing@antiphishing.org. The Anti-Phishing Working Group, a group of ISPs, security vendors, financial institutions and law enforcement agencies, uses these reports to fight phishing.

ADDITIONAL RESOURCES TO HELP YOU STAY SAFE THIS TAX SEASON 

Here are a few more resources that can help you protect your identity and be safer and more secure online this tax season – and year-round: