As backpacks get packed and routines reset, September marks a season of fresh starts—and unfortunately, fresh opportunities for cybercriminals. With students, parents, and educators diving into digital platforms for school, shopping, and scheduling, it's prime time to stay sharp against online fraud.

Whether you're logging into school portals, buying supplies online, or managing your finances on the go, here are some smart, simple ways to protect yourself and your family this fall.

Back-to-School Cyber Risks to Watch For

• Phishing Emails Posing as Schools or Retailers Scammers often mimic school districts or popular stores with urgent messages asking you to “verify” personal info or click suspicious links.

• Fake Scholarship or Student Loan Offers If it sounds too good to be true, it probably is. Always verify the source before sharing sensitive data.

• Public Wi-Fi Pitfalls Logging in from coffee shops or campus hotspots? Avoid accessing financial accounts or entering passwords on unsecured networks.

• Oversharing on Social Media Back-to-school photos are fun—but revealing your child’s school name, grade, or schedule can make your family a target for scams.

 Smart Moves to Stay Protected

• Use Strong, Unique Passwords Mix letters, numbers, and symbols—and never reuse passwords across accounts.

• Enable Multi-Factor Authentication (MFA) Add an extra layer of security to your logins, especially for email and banking apps.

• Keep Software Updated Regular updates patch vulnerabilities that hackers exploit.

• Monitor Your Accounts Regularly Spotting unusual activity early can prevent bigger problems later.

Aeroquip Credit Union: Your Partner in Protection

At Aeroquip Credit Union, your security is our priority. Our systems are built with advanced encryption and fraud detection to keep your money safe—so you can focus on what matters most.

Want to stay one step ahead? Setting up account alerts is fast, easy, and free. Get notified instantly about purchases, withdrawals, or login attempts, so you're always in the know.

 Log into your online banking or mobile app to customize your alerts today.  Peace of mind is just a few clicks away.

Let’s make this school year smart, safe, and scam-free. If you ever have questions or concerns, our team is here to help—because protecting our members is always in season.

Made with the help of Google Ai Studio