Enhanced Security Options
Several companies are offering advanced online protection to supplement the usual user name and password login. Though some of them may seem inconvenient they reduce the likelihood of someone swiping your login credentials.
Many online institutions use analysis tools to monitor online behavior. Any deviance from normal usage is a reason to suspect fraud. For example, if all of a sudden thousands of dollars are being rung up in a city you have never visited (i.e. no record on your charge card) this would set off an alert. I have had this happen twice but fortunately it was me making the charges. I am glad the credit card company called though.
Though not a panacea, using a secondary device for authentication is a very good way to mitigate online break-ins.
Fraud Detection
Behavior Analysis
State-of-the-art behavioral analysis tools learn your typical behaviors when you do business with the company online. History shows that users typically follow predictable patterns and deviations from these patterns may be reason to suspect fraudulent activity. When deviations are detected we may ask you to authenticate yourself again, even though you may have already provided your login credentials.
- Secret Questions
You will need to setup secret questions and provide answers. When we detect an anomaly we will prompt you with these questions and you will be asked to provide the same answers you used when you set them up. To setup your secret questions click on the Change Password link, check the 'enable online password reset' box and select your secret questions here. - Email Authentication
You will be sent a one time passcode to the email address on file if we detect anomalous behavior, and you will need to provide this code to complete your transaction using online banking at that time. The response must be completed within a short amount of time. - Phone PIN Delivery Authentication
You will receive a phone call from a protection service. A one time verification code will be provided at that time. If we detect anomalous behavior, you will need to provide this code to complete your transaction using online banking at that time. - SMS Enabled Mobile Device Authentication
You will receive an SMS (text)message from a specified number with a one time verification code to the Mobile device number you have setup. When we detect anomalous behavior, you will need to provide this code to complete your transaction using online banking at that time. Please note that some cellular providers do not support SMS ( Short Messaging Service), to ensure that your mobile device is able to receive SMS, you can use the TEST process during setup. Your mobile device number will only be stored after the test is completed successfully.
Generally if there have been recent changes to your contact information, e-mail, phone or mobile number, these options will not be available to you at the time of challenge and a phone call to the banking institution is necessary.
Security Levels
Typically analysis software can be set to various behavior analysis. The higher the security level the more phone calls or messages you will receive.
- Normal
If you choose Normal, we will challenge you based on normal behavior anomalies. - Minimum
If you choose Minimum we will not notify you only if we see something very suspicious. - Maximum
If you choose Maximum, we will notify you for the slightest deviation from norm. This is the highest security setting.
How to use your secondary device
Every time an anomaly is detected, one of the additional authentication options is used. If you select SMS/Mobile Device or Phone Pin Authentication, before you are allowed to see any account information, a code is sent to your mobile device or phone number on file. The code must be entered before continuing an online transaction.
