--- title: 4 Best Practices to Protect Your Online Access HD Account description: We use two-factor authentication to protect your account from unauthorized access, but there are four more things you can do to protect your money. image: https://go.hfcu.org/hubfs/Untitled%20design%20-%202020-12-13T221509.045.jpg --- [![MoneyWisdom_HFCU_r2](https://go.hfcu.org/hs-fs/hubfs/MoneyWisdom_HFCU_r2.png?width=464&name=MoneyWisdom_HFCU_r2.png "MoneyWisdom_HFCU_r2")](https://go.hfcu.org/blog) Filter by Category** - [Show All](https://go.hfcu.org/blog) - [Security](https://go.hfcu.org/blog/topic/security) - [Personal Finance](https://go.hfcu.org/blog/topic/personal-finance) - [Auto](https://go.hfcu.org/blog/topic/auto) - [Business](https://go.hfcu.org/blog/topic/business) - [Credit Score](https://go.hfcu.org/blog/topic/credit-score) - [Home](https://go.hfcu.org/blog/topic/home) - [Credit Cards](https://go.hfcu.org/blog/topic/credit-cards) - [Life Changes](https://go.hfcu.org/blog/topic/life-changes) - 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[Medical (1)](https://go.hfcu.org/blog/topic/medical) - [Pets (1)](https://go.hfcu.org/blog/topic/pets) - [dormant account (1)](https://go.hfcu.org/blog/topic/dormant-account) - [inactive account (1)](https://go.hfcu.org/blog/topic/inactive-account) # 4 Best Practices to Protect Your Online Access HD Account ** [Hanscom Federal Credit Union](https://go.hfcu.org/blog/author/hanscom-federal-credit-union) ** Dec 14, 2020 ![typing password on smartphone screen](https://go.hfcu.org/hubfs/Untitled%20design%20-%202020-12-13T221509.045.jpg) We're aware of an ongoing scam that's targeting financial institutions across the U.S. While we have no reports of our members being victimized, we urge you to remain vigilant about protecting your personal information. Here's a brief description of what's happening, called "credential stuffing," and what you can do to make sure your accounts remain secure. Basically credential stuffing is when bad guys use previously exposed credentials, such as login names and passwords from hacked sites, to script log-in attempts on new sites with the hope that the users have re-used the same usernames and passwords elsewhere. [Fortunately Hanscom FCU requires our members to use two-factor authentication](https://go.hfcu.org/blog/how-your-credit-union-protects-your-accounts-from-a-cyberattack), which means these malicious actors get stopped at the door. Two-factor authentication is a means of confirming your identity with a combination of two different factors, such as something you know, something you have, or something you are. An example of two-factor authentication would be your cellphone (something you have) and a Secure Access Code (something you know). However, when these criminals figure out they've got a legitimate account on the hook, so to speak, they can contact the account owner and use scam techniques to bypass two-factor authentication to get into the account. They may pose as credit union employees or fraud department personnel to obtain the last bit of information they need to break through that final wall of security. [The fraud works when the bad guys call their target victim using a spoofed phone number that looks like it's coming from the financial institution. ](https://go.hfcu.org/blog/scam-alert-beware-the-online-banking-vhishing-scam)They'll pose as an employee and ask the member to confirm suspicious transactions on their account. Since the transactions are fake, it's natural that the member will say they're unfamiliar and may be lured into giving the fraudster their login id, a Secure Access Code, and debit card/PIN information, which the fraudster can then use to complete a fraudulent withdrawal. "If you get a call from someone claiming to be from the credit union and they ask you to verify transactions and ask for your pin or security code, you hang up the phone immediately and call the number on the back of your credit card or on your statement to report the fraud attempt," said Denise Bouchard, Hanscom FCU's assistant vice president and information security officer. "**We will never call a member and ask them for their login credentials or a Secure Access Code, *ever*.**" Bouchard urges members to follow these four best practices to keep accounts safe and secure: ### 1. Make sure your login and password to your Hanscom FCU accounts are unique.  [Do not be tempted to reuse a login and password from another account.](https://go.hfcu.org/blog/6-tips-for-better-password-protection) Because data breaches are so common, it makes it easy for bad actors to run automated scripts with this information to try to crack other sites. If you're currently using a login and password you use elsewhere, change it now. And even if you're not and you notice your login and password aren't that creative, do yourself a favor and spend five minutes making a change. ### 2. Use complex usernames. Jason Traugut, Hanscom FCU's senior digital strategy analyst, said that members who have easy-to-guess usernames may be vulnerable with this scam. "They may be using an email address or just their first and last names," he said. "This is just too easy for someone to guess." This is the time to let your creativity shine. Make your login name a phrase only you would know, but that's easy enough for you to remember.  ### 3. Change passwords frequently.  Even if you have complicated, hard-to-guess passwords, with all the data breaches going on, your passwords may become vulnerable at some point. [Be smart and change them regularly](https://go.hfcu.org/blog/3-tips-to-create-stronger-passwords), especially for sites where the loss would be personally and/or financially devastating. ### 4. Consider using a password manager. We get it. With so many sites out there, how can anyone remember fresh login and password every time? [A password manager can make it easier.](https://go.hfcu.org/blog/password-manager) Just remember one login and one password and let the manager be your brain. It's important, however, that if you use a password manager you use a complex username and password, a duo you've not used elsewhere. Again, Hanscom FCU will never ask for your online banking login credentials, secure access code, or passwords over the phone. If you have been contacted by someone who claims to be from Hanscom FCU and wants access to your account, please hang up on them and report the incident to our Remote Support team at 800-656-4328. [![Get a Free Credit Score Review](https://no-cache.hubspot.com/cta/default/118438/a8286a76-0660-4508-aa2a-2ee8eae5ed10.png)](https://cta-redirect.hubspot.com/cta/redirect/118438/a8286a76-0660-4508-aa2a-2ee8eae5ed10)*Note that Hanscom FCU's Credit Score and Report Review requires a hard pull on your credit, which will temporarily reduce your credit score.   Others are reading: - [How to Protect Yourself From Mobile App Fraud](https://go.hfcu.org/blog/how-to-protect-yourself-from-mobile-app-fraud) - [Fraud Alert: Here’s Why You Shouldn’t Abbreviate 2020](https://go.hfcu.org/blog/fraud-alert-heres-why-you-shouldnt-abbreviate-2020) - [How Your Credit Union Protects Your Accounts From a Cyberattack](https://go.hfcu.org/blog/how-your-credit-union-protects-your-accounts-from-a-cyberattack) - [What You Need to Know Now About Bluetooth Security](https://go.hfcu.org/blog/what-you-need-to-know-today-about-bluetooth-security) - [3 Tips to Create Stronger Passwords](https://go.hfcu.org/blog/3-tips-to-create-stronger-passwords)   ** [Security](https://go.hfcu.org/blog/topic/security), [Scams](https://go.hfcu.org/blog/topic/scams), [Savings](https://go.hfcu.org/blog/topic/savings), [Online Banking](https://go.hfcu.org/blog/topic/online-banking), [Checking](https://go.hfcu.org/blog/topic/checking) [** 4 Best Practices to Protect Your Online Access HD Account ](https://go.hfcu.org/blog/4-best-practices-to-protect-your-online-access-hd-account_old) [** Get SMART About Financial Goal Setting in the Age of COVID ](https://go.hfcu.org/blog/get-smart-about-financial-goal-setting-in-the-age-of-covid) ### About Author ![Hanscom Federal Credit Union](https://go.hfcu.org/hubfs/HFCU-Profile-1000x1000.jpg) Hanscom Federal Credit Union Hanscom Federal Credit Union, a purpose-driven $1.9 billion organization based in Littleton, MA, empowers its members to achieve financial wellness. Hanscom FCU serves over 95,000 members across the country and overseas through 16 branches, over 100,000 surcharge-free ATMs, 5,000 contact centers, and a web-based branch. Related Posts [![Protect Your Accounts from the Rise of Check Fraud](https://go.hfcu.org/hubfs/Untitled%20design%20(16)-2.png) Protect Your Accounts from the Rise of Check Fraud ](https://go.hfcu.org/blog/protect-your-accounts-from-the-rise-of-check-fraud) [![How to Avoid ID Theft Over the Holidays](https://go.hfcu.org/hubfs/Blog%20Photos%20800%20x%20800px%20(1)-1.png) How to Avoid ID Theft Over the Holidays ](https://go.hfcu.org/blog/bid/155005/don-t-let-identity-theft-ruin-your-holidays) [![How to Avoid the Latest Financial Scam: AI Voice Cloning](https://go.hfcu.org/hubfs/Blog%20Photos%20800%20x%20800px-1.png) How to Avoid the Latest Financial Scam: AI Voice Cloning ](https://go.hfcu.org/blog/ai-voice-cloning-scam) ** - [**](http://www.facebook.com/share.php?u=https://go.hfcu.org/blog/4-best-practices-to-protect-your-online-access-hd-account/) - [**](https://X.com/share?url=https://go.hfcu.org/blog/4-best-practices-to-protect-your-online-access-hd-account/) - [**](http://www.linkedin.com/shareArticle?mini=true&url=https://go.hfcu.org/blog/4-best-practices-to-protect-your-online-access-hd-account/&summary=&source=CeBIT) ## You are Leaving Hanscom Federal Credit Union #### **Please read the following before proceeding to:** The website you are about to visit is solely the responsibility of the merchant or other party providing the site. The content of this third-party site, including materials and information, is solely the responsibility of the provider of the site. The Credit Union is not responsible for any such third-party content. Any transactions that you enter into with a vendor, merchant or other party that you access through this third-party site are solely between you and that vendor, merchant or other party. The Credit Union does not endorse the content contained in this third-party site, nor the organization publishing the site, and hereby disclaims any responsibility for such content. The Credit Union Privacy Policy does not apply to this third-party site, and for further information you should consult the privacy disclosures of the third-party site. ### Comment ### Subscribe To Blog ### Subscribe to Email Updates ### contact **Hanscom Federal Credit Union** 1610 Eglin St. Hanscom AFB, MA 01731 Call us: [800-656-4328](tel:8006564328) [https://www.hfcu.org/](https://www.hfcu.org/) ### About Us [The MoneyWisdom Blog](https://www.hfcu.org/the-moneywisdom-blog.html) ### Social ** ## You are Leaving Hanscom Federal Credit Union #### **Please read the following before proceeding to:** ### https://www.facebook.com/HanscomFederalCreditUnion The website you are about to visit is solely the responsibility of the merchant or other party providing the site. The content of this third-party site, including materials and information, is solely the responsibility of the provider of the site. The Credit Union is not responsible for any such third-party content. Any transactions that you enter into with a vendor, merchant or other party that you access through this third-party site are solely between you and that vendor, merchant or other party. The Credit Union does not endorse the content contained in this third-party site, nor the organization publishing the site, and hereby disclaims any responsibility for such content. The Credit Union Privacy Policy does not apply to this third-party site, and for further information you should consult the privacy disclosures of the third-party site. ## You are Leaving Hanscom Federal Credit Union #### **Please read the following before proceeding to:** ### https://X.com/HanscomFCU The website you are about to visit is solely the responsibility of the merchant or other party providing the site. The content of this third-party site, including materials and information, is solely the responsibility of the provider of the site. The Credit Union is not responsible for any such third-party content. Any transactions that you enter into with a vendor, merchant or other party that you access through this third-party site are solely between you and that vendor, merchant or other party. The Credit Union does not endorse the content contained in this third-party site, nor the organization publishing the site, and hereby disclaims any responsibility for such content. The Credit Union Privacy Policy does not apply to this third-party site, and for further information you should consult the privacy disclosures of the third-party site. ## You are Leaving Hanscom Federal Credit Union #### **Please read the following before proceeding to:** ### https://www.instagram.com/hanscomfcu/ The website you are about to visit is solely the responsibility of the merchant or other party providing the site. The content of this third-party site, including materials and information, is solely the responsibility of the provider of the site. The Credit Union is not responsible for any such third-party content. Any transactions that you enter into with a vendor, merchant or other party that you access through this third-party site are solely between you and that vendor, merchant or other party. The Credit Union does not endorse the content contained in this third-party site, nor the organization publishing the site, and hereby disclaims any responsibility for such content. The Credit Union Privacy Policy does not apply to this third-party site, and for further information you should consult the privacy disclosures of the third-party site. ## You are Leaving Hanscom Federal Credit Union #### **Please read the following before proceeding to:** ### https://www.linkedin.com/company/hanscomfcu/ The website you are about to visit is solely the responsibility of the merchant or other party providing the site. The content of this third-party site, including materials and information, is solely the responsibility of the provider of the site. The Credit Union is not responsible for any such third-party content. Any transactions that you enter into with a vendor, merchant or other party that you access through this third-party site are solely between you and that vendor, merchant or other party. The Credit Union does not endorse the content contained in this third-party site, nor the organization publishing the site, and hereby disclaims any responsibility for such content. The Credit Union Privacy Policy does not apply to this third-party site, and for further information you should consult the privacy disclosures of the third-party site. ## You are Leaving Hanscom Federal Credit Union #### **Please read the following before proceeding to:** ### http://www.youtube.com/c/HanscomFederalCreditUnion The website you are about to visit is solely the responsibility of the merchant or other party providing the site. The content of this third-party site, including materials and information, is solely the responsibility of the provider of the site. The Credit Union is not responsible for any such third-party content. Any transactions that you enter into with a vendor, merchant or other party that you access through this third-party site are solely between you and that vendor, merchant or other party. The Credit Union does not endorse the content contained in this third-party site, nor the organization publishing the site, and hereby disclaims any responsibility for such content. The Credit Union Privacy Policy does not apply to this third-party site, and for further information you should consult the privacy disclosures of the third-party site. ### Popular Posts [What You Need to Know About Putting Your Home in a Trust](https://go.hfcu.org/blog/what-you-need-to-know-about-putting-your-home-in-a-trust) ![older man looking at top retirement worry on digital device](https://go.hfcu.org/hubfs/Untitled%20design%20-%202022-02-10T072804.753.jpg) [What You Need to Know About Your Federal Tax Bracket](https://go.hfcu.org/blog/what-you-need-to-know-about-your-tax-bracket) ![older man looking at top retirement worry on digital device](https://go.hfcu.org/hubfs/Untitled%20design%20-%202021-03-22T123305.900.jpg) [6 Boat Types to Get on the Water](https://go.hfcu.org/blog/6-boat-types-to-get-on-the-water) ![older man looking at top retirement worry on digital device](https://go.hfcu.org/hubfs/images/Jet_Ski.jpg) [23 Organizations Dedicated to the Needs of Seniors](https://go.hfcu.org/blog/23-organizations-dedicated-to-the-needs-of-seniors) ![older man looking at top retirement worry on digital device](https://go.hfcu.org/hubfs/Senior%20citizens.jpg) [9 Smart Moves for Lottery Winners](https://go.hfcu.org/blog/lottery) ![older man looking at top retirement worry on digital device](https://go.hfcu.org/hubfs/images/lottery_winner.jpg) ### Recent Posts - [![National Credit Union Administration](https://go.hfcu.org/hs-fs/hubfs/NCUA-logo-small.png?width=95&name=NCUA-logo-small.png) ](https://www.ncua.gov/) [![Equal Housing Lender](https://go.hfcu.org/hs-fs/hubfs/EHL-logo-small.png?width=65&name=EHL-logo-small.png)](https://www.hud.gov/fairhousing) - @ 2023 [Hanscom Federal Credit Union](https://www.hfcu.org/) - Federally insured by the National Credit Union Administration. - [Privacy Policy](https://www.hfcu.org/content/docs/Privacy_Notice.pdf) **Disclosure:** Hanscom Federal Credit Union does not provide and is not responsible for any products, services, or overall website content available at any third-party sites linked within this blog. Moreover, Hanscom Federal Credit Union's privacy policies do not apply to any of the linked websites within this blog. Please consult the privacy disclosures on those linked sites for further information. ```json { "@context" : "http://schema.org", "@type" : "BlogPosting", "author" : { "@type" : "Person", "name" : "Hanscom Federal Credit Union" }, "dateModified" : "May 16, 2022, 8:28:15 PM", "datePublished" : "2020-12-14 03:16:47", "description" : "We use two-factor authentication to protect your account from unauthorized access, but there are four more things you can do to protect your money.", "headline" : "4 Best Practices to Protect Your Online Access HD Account", "image" : { "@type" : "ImageObject", "url" : "https://f.hubspotusercontent30.net/hubfs/118438/Untitled%20design%20-%202020-12-13T221509.045.jpg" }, "mainEntityOfPage" : { "@id" : "https://go.hfcu.org/blog/4-best-practices-to-protect-your-online-access-hd-account", "@type" : "WebPage" }, "publisher" : { "@type" : "Organization", "logo" : { "@type" : "ImageObject", "url" : "https://cdn2.hubspot.net/hubfs/118438/Logo%202.jpg" }, "name" : "Hanscom Federal Credit Union" } } ```