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Simple Habits That Make You a Tougher Target for Cybercrooks
It’s already well into the new year and a fresh year usually brings fresh goals—exercise more, spend less, maybe try a new hobby. But one resolution that deserves a permanent spot on everyone’s list is tightening up your personal cybersecurity. And this isn’t one you should ever quit when February comes around.
Cyberthreats don’t take holidays, and scammers aren’t slowing down. In fact, they’re getting bolder, trickier, and faster at finding new ways to get into your accounts and steal your money or data. The good news? A few steady habits can make you far less appealing to cybercriminals.
Start With Your Passwords
Strong, unique passwords or passphrases are still your first line of defense. Mix letters, numbers, and symbols—and never recycle the same one across accounts. And while it may seem obvious, don’t share your passwords with anyone. Tech support, financial institutions, and reputable companies will never ask for them.
Stay Suspicious
Phishing emails remain one of the easiest ways for scammers to trick users. They may look polished these days, but old red flags still apply: Strange attachments, unexpected links, odd grammar, or messages from out-of-the-blue senders. Give anything suspicious a wide berth.
Keep an Eye on Your Financial Activity
Checking your banking and financial statements and credit reports regularly can help you catch fraud early. Freezing your credit reports is an added layer of protection if you don’t need frequent access. You can always unfreeze the reports, if needed.
Use Multi-factor Authentication
Turning on multi-factor authentication (MFA) wherever possible can stop attackers even if they get your password. And remember to use different login credentials for every account. Logging in with Facebook or Google might seem convenient, but it creates a single gateway to multiple accounts.
Passkeys
Don’t forget that passkeys are a great way to secure your accounts and not have to remember so many passwords. Keep in mind that passkeys and storing your passwords in your browser are NOT the same and storing them in the browser is not a recommended option.
Stay Up-To-Date
Finally, don’t let your devices fall behind. Keep anti-malware tools updated, install software patches promptly, and replace unsupported devices. Back up your data regularly, and stay aware of new scams circulating online and in your community.
Cybercriminals follow the money, and they’ll keep trying as long as it pays. Don’t make it easy for them.
Content provided by Stickley on Security.
For more tips on protecting your personal information, visit Mid Oregon’s Security and Fraud Page: https://ow.ly/hjHm50V9XE1
“Wait, Did I Take a Toll Road?” What to Do When You Get the Text.
Have you taken a toll road recently? Well, even if you haven’t, this story is for you. There is a text message going around that anyone who drives on highways or freeways should be on the lookout for and it’s just annoying enough to drive anyone mad. As you can guess, it involves toll roads and the supposed accompanying fees related to them. It goes like this.
The Toll Text
A text message appears on your phone stating you owe a toll, and you need to pay it right away. What? You say. You haven’t taken a toll road recently, that you can recall anyway. So, why would you owe a toll? The answer is, you don’t. This scam tries to make you think you owe one and if you don’t pay up, right away, you’ll be assessed some phenomenal penalty.
How to Spot the Scam
The first clue that this is a scam, if you haven’t taken a toll road of course, is that you haven’t taken a toll road. The second, is that there is that oh so familiar sense of urgency that phishing scams like to use so much. Yes, if you owe tolls, the time you have to pay matters to avoid penalties, but it’s not an immediate thing, unless there is a booth or you have one of those transponders. In California, you have five days to pay the tolls, for example. And toll agencies aren’t in the habit of sending unsolicited text messages. In fact, if you owe a toll and don’t have a toll road account for wherever you happen to be driving, they don’t even have your phone number. They’ll send you a bill in the regular mail.
The Kansas Turnpike warns, “Be aware of fake messages claiming you have outstanding tolls due on a Kansas toll facility. These messages include a link or URL instructing you to visit a fake website that mimics a KTA or DriveKS web site or a toll web site in another part of the country.” The New York Thruway website has a big warning on the front page of its website, alerting drivers that “E-ZPass or Tolls By Mail WILL NEVER send a text or email requesting sensitive personal information such as credit card, birthday, Social Security number, or other personally identifiable information.”
What To Do
If you do receive one of these, delete it off of your device so there is no chance you’ll accidently click the link. Keep your eyes open for other signs of phishing, such as texts being sent from international phone numbers. And remember to drive safely out there.
Content provided by Stickley on Security.
For more tips on protecting your personal information, visit Mid Oregon’s Security and Fraud Page: https://ow.ly/hjHm50V9XE1
From Ledger Sheets to Digital Banking: 5 Tips for Financial Wellness
From Ledger Sheets to Digital Banking: Five Smart Moves for Financial Wellness
When I was a child, I watched my father balance his checkbook once a month like clockwork. He’d retreat to the little room off the garage he called his “office,” armed with an ancient mechanical adding machine. I can still hear the rhythmic tap-tap-tap and the roll-chunk as the machine printed each calculation on a narrow strip of paper. It went on for hours, but at the end of the day, his account book balanced perfectly.
Those memories taught me something important: financial wellness takes discipline and attention. Back then, it was all about ledgers, calculators, and patience. Today, we have tools that make managing money easier and faster than ever—but the principles remain the same. As we head into a new year, Mid Oregon would like to share five strategic moves that can help you take control of your finances and feel confident about your future.
1. Audit Your Accounts
Back in the day, auditing meant flipping through pages of handwritten entries and reconciling every penny. Today, it’s much simpler—but just as important.
Start by reviewing all your accounts:
- Checking and savings
- Retirement accounts
- Old accounts you might have forgotten about
Ask yourself:
- Does each account have a clear purpose?
- Are you contributing to retirement?
- Do you have an emergency fund?
Pro Tip: Consolidating accounts can reduce fees and give you a clearer picture of your finances. Mid Oregon’s Digital banking tool make this easy—you can see everything in one place, even accounts from other institutions.
2. Set Money Goals
When I was younger, goals were simple: save enough for a family vacation or a new appliance. We didn’t have apps or dashboards—just envelopes and handwritten notes.
Today, goal-setting is more structured and powerful. Start by listing what went well last year, then identify what you’d like to improve. Break big goals—like paying off debt or saving for a home—into smaller steps.
Tips for Success:
- Be specific and realistic
- Start small—two or three goals are plenty
- Stay flexible. Life happens!
Pro Tip: Use the savings goal tool under the Financial Wellness tab in the Mid Oregon Digital Banking to track your progress and stay accountable.
3. Optimize Investment Accounts
Investing used to feel intimidating without easy access to information. Now, you can review and adjust your accounts with just a few clicks.
Action Steps:
- Check your retirement contributions and make sure you’re taking advantage of employer matches
- If you have old 401(k) accounts, consider rolling them into an IRA for better control
- Explore IRA certificates for competitive rates and long-term growth
4. Enlist Professional Help
Years ago, financial advice often came from family or friends. Today, you have access to experts—and many services are free.
Our institution offers:
- Financial consultations visit any branch to review your goals and accounts
- Book a Retirement & Investment planning session with Mid Oregon Wealth Management to help you prepare for the future
- Attend one of the Financial Workshops offered by Mid Oregon to make everyday money management and future planning easier
Don’t hesitate to ask for help. Professional guidance can simplify complex decisions and give you peace of mind.
5. Plan for Tax Season
I remember when tax season meant paper forms spread across the kitchen table and hours of calculations. Now, you can prepare with far less stress.
Start early:
- Organize your documents now
- Use digital tools to track deductions and income throughout the year
- Seek professional help if needed—did you know that just being a member at Mid Oregon you can get discounts for your tax prep? Click here for more information.
Closing Thoughts
Financial wellness isn’t about perfection—it’s about progress. The tools have changed since my father’s days with his mechanical calculator, but the goal remains the same: clarity, confidence, and control.