Are You Sure Your Mobile Banking App is Secure?

With modern cell phone technology, you have the world at your fingertips. You can call, text, email, DM, watch television, take professional-grade photographs and more. But one of the most important things you can do on a mobile device is manage your finances.

 

“Digital banking is easy, fast and incredibly convenient,” says Kelly Albiston, senior vice president and chief technology officer at Mountain America Credit Union. “But it's also secure, especially if you take basic measures to protect yourself, and it starts with choosing the right mobile app.”

 

Still not totally sure about it? Let's go over some of the best security features of mobile banking with an app.

 

Security

The most important factor to consider before you use mobile banking is security. It's your money, and you should always feel like it's being protected.

 

Your financial institution's mobile app should let you do most of the things you can do in person, such as manage and monitor your account, send money, make payments, deposit checks, apply for loans and more—all while you're on the go. Mountain America’s mobile app offers numerous layers of defense to help protect your personal information. These defense layers include strong passwords, one-time PIN codes on unrecognized devices, courtesy calls if fraud is detected and biometric logins that let you use your face or finger to sign on.

 

Always remember, Mountain America will never ask you to send personal information digitally. If you're ever unsure of who is contacting you, reach out either in person or over the phone before you provide anything.

 

Another important security feature is alerts. Your mobile banking app should offer a number of different security alerts, as well as the ability to choose how you want to receive them—email, push notifications in the app or text message. These alerts can ask you to confirm a suspicious purchase or a login on a new device but can also be customized to your personal needs—like when your online account is accessed or your card is authorized. Some financial institutions, like Mountain America, even offer courtesy calls for those who prefer them.

 

Another bonus feature offered on our mobile app is card manager. Card manager is an innovative feature within the mobile app that allows members to freeze and unfreeze their card, change their PIN, request a new card and notify us of travel so your card activity isn’t flagged while you’re on vacation. These features help protect you from fraud—particularly during high-spending times—and ensure you maintain constant access to your funds.

 

If you're looking to create an even more secure mobile banking experience, here are a few tips to keep you safe:

 

• Pick a username you can remember but isn’t easy to guess.

• Don't use the same password for multiple accounts. Use a password manager to keep track of your unique logins.

• Beware of copycat websites. Always double-check the URL to make sure the site is legitimate.

• Avoid checking your banking information on free, public WiFi networks.

 

Convenience

Another perk of banking on a mobile app is pure convenience. Remember when you had to go to a brick-and-mortar location to handle your money? Now you can do almost all your banking from the comfort of your own couch—or out on your favorite hike.

 

With Mountain America's mobile banking app, you can send and receive money from anyone with a U.S. bank account. Whether you're sending a gift or splitting a bill, transferring money no longer requires you to constantly carry cash.

 

And for the occasional overdraft—no one's perfect, right?—Mountain America offers overdraft coverage to ensure checking and everyday debit card transactions clear when account balances are low.

 

Bill pay is also available within Mountain America's online and mobile banking. Set up recurring or one-time payments electronically without writing a check and mailing the payment. Or set up automatic payments, which let you make recurring payments to Mountain America loans without having to remember due dates.

 

Users can now access eStatements on our mobile app, which offer a clear and concise look at the previous month’s transactions and important account information.

 

All this said, for those who want to access their finances on a desktop, they can still perform these online banking tasks at macu.com. What's most important is that you're comfortable.

 

Speed

When you need access to your accounts fast, there’s no better way than by reaching into your pocket or purse and grabbing your phone. Mobile banking helps you keep up with the modern, lightning-fast pace of the world.

 

With Mountain America's secure and convenient mobile app, users can deposit checks using their phone camera. There’s no need to visit a branch or ATM, which means you get access to your money quicker.

 

If you have any questions about mobile banking, or the security features of your app, reach out to your preferred financial institution today.