It used to be that most banking, like making deposits, applying for and paying on loans, and transferring funds, was done inside of a branch. These days more people are doing their banking online and on the go through their mobile devices. If that’s your preferred way to bank, is it safe?

This month, in partnership with the National Cyber Security Alliance, we aim to provide some valuable tips on staying cyber safe while heading on a summer vacation. Whether you are out exploring or relaxing, it is important to strive to be as secure as possible with your digital devices and information. Unfortunately, travel can open you up to different points of vulnerability compared to normal everyday use at home, and we don’t just mean accidentally going swimming with your cell phone. You see, while traveling you are operating outside of your normal, safe routines. This means using your devices on different networks and putting them down in different locations, including under your beach towel while swimming. By following some smart practices, you can connect with greater confidence during a summer escape.

Every year, February brings about the start of tax season. For some, the process may be quick and painless while others may spend months gathering the needed documents. Some may completely forget the fast approaching due date of April 18^th (traditionally April 15^th but for 2017 it is the 18^th).

During tax season, procrastination can be one of your worst enemies. Waiting to file your taxes could cost you more money and have other implications down the road. Here are four reasons why you should think about filing early.

Nobody likes paying insurance premiums, especially when you find out that you don’t have the right coverage when you need it.

Imagine this: After a long day at work, you drive home on an unusually stormy Nevada day and think “I haven’t seen this much rain in years.” Then you get home and find that fierce winds have knocked down that towering pine in your front yard onto your other car, leaving you with a wreck and large headache.  Will your insurance cover that damage?

It’s no secret that there have been numerous attacks on major retailers over the past few years. Several websites have also been compromised from scammers who are looking to steal your identity and money. Whether or not you’ve already encountered one of these scenarios, you should take proactive steps to keep your money and identity safe.

It’s sad to say but many of us have experienced, or at least know someone who has had their credit card or debit card information stolen. In our digital age, we no longer fear the purse snatcher but instead have to worry about cyber thieves stealing our money or identity.

When you think of your information getting stolen, you might think it’s due to an online shopping incident or a gas station that got hacked. However, in today’s rapidly changing world it’s not just those types of circumstances anymore.

When internet frauds trick you into giving up your personal information, this is called phishing. You can be the victim of a phishing scam from all sorts of ways, such as through an email, a phone call, or even a text message. Learn how to identify these scams and take preventative action.

We all remember last holiday season when Target’s systems were breached, exposing millions of customers’ credit card data. Since then Home Depot, Kmart, and Neiman Marcus have all been added to the list of retailers who have been compromised. Over the past year, the world has become a lot scarier for shopping. Luckily, even though hackers have become a lot smarter so have retailers and financial institutions, so that shoppers can have a safer and more merry holiday. As the VP of E-Commerce and former Manager over the Risk Management Department, it is my job to keep our GNCU members and their information as safe as possible, whether it be online or in stores.
 
 ‘Tis the season to be jolly so in order to help keep the holidays bright, I’ve decided to answer questions that our members have been asking on how to best keep your money and information safe this shopping season and security improvements slated for 2015.

My husband and I moved to Reno a little over a year and a half ago from Independence, Kentucky which is a suburb of Cincinnati, Ohio. Summertime in the Midwest is primarily hot with a side of humid, and the occasional thunderstorm and/or tornado. We didn’t really hear much about wild fires in our neck of the woods.

When I hear the term tax fraud I always think of illustrious criminal Al Capone and his eventual downfall caused by tax evasion. While Capone’s crime involved trying to avoid filing a tax return, modern day criminals are trying to do just the opposite. These fraudsters are filing a multitude of tax returns claiming false refund amounts. How does a criminal filing a false tax claim affects you? They might be doing it with your name.

The recent Target card breach, has, like famous card breaches before it, shone a spotlight on the possibility of debit card fraud for many Americans.

‘Tis the season to be jolly! And a big part of the season is holiday shopping. If you're a crack-of-dawn-Black-Friday type, holiday shopping can be a lot of fun, buying gifts you know will bring joy to the ones you love. It can also be a hectic time, where you cut in line at black Friday, snatch the last Playstation 4 and try to make it out of Wal-Mart before an angry mob erupts. Either way the season won’t be as merry and bright if you are a victim of holiday fraud. So here are a few tips to keep your identity (and you!) safe and secure while holiday shopping.