Protecting Yourself Online
Mountain America strives to provide the best available security for your digital banking experience.
Helping you keep your data secure
We constantly work to maintain strong levels of protection, proactively monitor for new threats and adjust our systems to mitigate those threats. Our fraud prevention steps include:
Creating a strong username
To help protect members’ personal information, we no longer allow them to use their account number as their online or mobile banking username. Creating a strong username is just as important as creating a strong password. Here are a few tips for choosing a good username:
- Pick a username you can remember but isn’t too easy for other people to guess.
- Don't include your birth year, address or full name.
- Never use account numbers or your Social Security number.
- Use different usernames for different accounts.
Layered security
We use multiple layers of defense to protect our members’ information. This may include asking security questions when members make online or mobile transfers. These questions are based on your credit profile and are intended to verify your identity. For example, you may be asked about a previous loan or address. Once you answer the questions, you can continue with the funds transfer as usual.
Courtesy calls
We may call you to verify transactions on your account if they appear to be outside of your normal pattern. Mountain America will not ask you for personal information but may ask you to verify information we provide. You may also receive calls from our automated Visa® Fraud Prevention system to alert you of suspicious activity. If you need to contact us, please use the number listed on your statement, debit card or credit card.
Additional steps you can take
In addition to the account security we have in place, we offer services to help you protect your digital banking accounts:
Alerts
Monitor your account 24/7. With our free alerts and notifications service, you can create customized text and email alerts based on balances, approvals, transactions and more. Plus, you’ll receive these alerts in near-real time. You can even have them sent to multiple phone numbers and email addresses. See how.
Card manager
If you are alerted to suspicious activity on your account and want to stop transitions or if you misplace your Mountain America Visa card, you can temporarily disable it using Card Manager on the mobile banking app. You also can request a new card if yours is lost or stolen. Take a look.
Biometric login
With biometric login, you can access your account using your fingerprint. Not only is it convenient—you don’t have to memorize numerous passwords—it’s secure, too. Learn more.
eStatements
Paper statements can be stolen and lead to identity theft. Receive electronic versions of your Mountain America account and credit card statements through our online branch. It will save paper and reduce clutter. Learn more.
Bill pay
Paying your bills online is safer than sending payments and personal information in the mail. Find out more.
Code words
Code words allow us to swiftly verify your identity and help protect you from fraud. Add your code word when you open an account or any time afterwards at your nearest branch. We will ask for your code word during branch transactions and when you call the Service Center.
Password manager
You should not use the same password for multiple websites. Many hackers who steal passwords will try to use them to log in to other sites, or they will post them in an online forum for others to use. You can securely store all your passwords so you don’t have to remember them by installing a password manager. A master password must be chosen to gain access to the password manager. Make your master password difficult to guess and never write it down.
Complex passwords
Avoid using birthdates, pet names, phone numbers, single words found in a standard dictionary (any language), family members’ names or anything that may be guessable with minimal research. Don’t use a password more than once, and don’t write them down. Instead, use a mixture of capital and lower-case letters, numbers and symbols, and make sure to use a minimum of 8 characters.
Never share passwords
Multiple members on the same account at Mountain America can have individual online passwords, so there is no reason to share a password. Don’t even give your password to an employee of Mountain America. We will never ask for it.
Mountain America also recommends
Keeping your software updated
Start with your operating system (e.g., Windows or MacOS). Then update your browser (e.g., Internet Explorer, Firefox, Chrome, Safari, etc.). Finally, update any other software you use on your computer such as Microsoft Office, Java, Flash Player, Adobe Acrobat, antivirus software, etc.
Windows updates
One of the ways you can protect yourself is with Windows updates. This will ensure you get critical security updates like the most recent one from Microsoft's Internet Explorer. If you are like most people, you have automatic updates turned on, and you’ll get this new update without having to do anything. If you haven’t turned on automatic updates yet, you should do so now. Click the Check for Updates button on the Windows Update portion of your control panel.
Using antivirus/antimalware software
Choose antivirus software from a reputable publisher and keep it updated. There are many fake antivirus solutions around, so make sure you research the publisher before you buy.
Responding to emails
Don’t respond to emails requesting personal information. Legitimate individuals and companies will not require you to provide or verify sensitive information via a non-secure means such as email. If you have any doubt at all, contact the individual or company and verify the information over the phone. If you have received what appears to be a phishing email from someone pretending to be a Mountain America employee, do not respond to the request. Instead, forward the email as an attachment to phishing@macu.com, and we will take appropriate action.
Beware of copycat websites
Thieves can be experts at copying names, URLs and web pages of legitimate institutions. Contact the institution directly if you have questions about a site’s legitimacy.
Managing your privacy settings
Manage your privacy settings for mobile apps and online accounts. It’s the best way to ensure you aren’t giving companies or other merchants access to information you want to keep private.
Avoid free Wi-Fi networks
Avoid using free Wi-Fi networks if possible–especially in high-traffic areas such as airports, cafes and other similar locations. They are prime targets for hackers. If you must use an open Wi-Fi network, only visit secure sites that begin with https.
Be aware of sharing and posting
Be aware of what you are sharing through social media and wearables such as fitness trackers and the Apple Watch. Log out of social media and other apps when you are not using them, and don’t keep them open in your browser. Set your privacy settings so only your friends can see what you are posting.
Using a firewall
A firewall helps protect your computer from unwanted intrusions. Most operating systems (Windows, MacOS, etc.) have a firewall included, but it may not be enabled. Check the Help section of your operating system for instructions on enabling and configuring the firewall. Many wireless routers used at home also have firewall functionality. Check the router documentation for details.
