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Small business is important to Central Oregon, and to Mid Oregon. Find tips and resources for business, and information about Mid Oregon’s commercial services and business members.
Safeguard from Cybercrime- Yourself and Your Loved Ones
You’ve heard the words describing how hackers and scammers gain access to online information. But do you know what they really mean? Phishing, Smishing, hacking, spam? Here’s a short guide to explain cybercrime terms and how to keep your data safe: safeguard from cybercrime yourself, and your loved ones.
Here’s a guide outlining classic online fraud attempts to help you safeguard from cybercrime and stay cybersecure.
Phishing Emails
Phishing attacks normally use emails with malicious website links within the email. They gain access to your computer, and in turn, your accounts. Here’s how it works: You receive an enticing email about a great deal on a product or an urgent message. You need to act on it immediately, and within it are links to a counterfeit website. Once you click the link, scammers trick you into giving financial data, such as user names and passwords. Some phishing attacks plant malware in the email itself. Once it’s opened, the criminal can steal credentials directly from your computer.
How to avoid: Do not open any emails you don’t recognize and don’t click on any links within an email you don’t recognize coming from a person or company you know. If you are asked to visit a website that seems like it’s one you’re familiar with, check the URL. Because, many times a counterfeit URL will use the company name and .net or .biz instead of .com — a slight but important difference. However, note that a URL with a .com suffix is not always safe. If you question the email, pick up the phone and call the company to see if the email is legit.
Social Media Phishing
Phishing isn’t limited to email. Cybercriminals also create links in social media through online ads, tweets, and posts, promising something that is too good to be true. What’s really happening is that they’re trying to gain access to your personal data and accounts once you click the link. If it looks at all suspicious, it most likely is.
How to avoid: Don’t click on the link. As the National Cybersecurity Alliance urges: “When in doubt, throw it out.”
Spam — No, It’s Not Pressed Meat
Spam in your inbox is no different than junk mail in your mailbox. It’s unsolicited, unrequested and unwanted email, and its purpose is to get you to open it for malicious purposes.
How to avoid: Enable a spam filter from your email provider to prevent unwanted messages from reaching your inbox. Be sure and report any spam emails that make it through. Hide your email address from any online profiles and social media accounts. You can also check for spam detectors on your cell phone or through your carrier, which indicate whether an incoming call is likely spam.
Smishing
Text message scams — also known as “smishing” — became a prevalent form of phishing a couple of years ago. It’s a phishing attack delivered via text message. This scam sends an urgent text message to your phone, trying to get you to click on a link within the text, text back requested information or call a fraudulent number. It’s especially used with people who do online banking or bill pay. Examples include receiving a message that states your account, debit or credit card has been suspended and to click on the link included within the text to unlock it. Or you may receive a message to verify account information, or to transfer money to a stranded relative.
How to avoid: Do not click on any link or phone number within a text message unless you’re sure what it’s for. If you receive a message about a frozen or locked bank account or account verification, pick up the phone and call your credit union to verify its legitimacy.
Malware
This term refers to harmful software that hackers try to install on your computer through a variety of means. Malware contains viruses — sometimes ransomware for businesses — that can take control of your computer, monitor your actions and keystrokes, and gain access to personal data stored on your computer.
How to avoid: Once again, it’s all about what you don’t do. Don’t open any suspicious emails, click on any links, or download any files you don’t recognize.
Preventing Identity Theft Webinar
Join us for a FREE webinar, Preventing Identity Theft, presented by the Deschutes County Sheriff’s Office Digital Forensics Team. It will be held Thursday, December 9 at 10 a.m. Register for this virtual workshop, and learn how to recognize potential scams, the ploys suspects use to gain personal information, and common-sense steps you can take to protect your identity.
Get the Latest Information
Want to keep up with the latest security information? Visit our Security and Fraud Prevention page. There you can view the latest articles, search by topic, and sign up for ongoing Stickley on Security emails.
Read more Mid Oregon View articles about cybercrime and online fraud, to safeguard from cybercrime.
Referring to Mid Oregon is a Win-Win!
Many of our members have spread the word about our great checking accounts, And that’s why we introduced our Tell-A-Friend about Mid Oregon Credit Union program. When a friend or family member opens a new checking account, you’ll both get a reward! Referring to Mid Oregon is a win-win!
What Your Friend Gets
First, we’ll buy back their old debit cards and checks for up to $10 and enter them to win a prize! (Prize through November 26, is a “Shop Local” gift basket, filled with gift cards to your favorite
nearby shops and eateries, valued at more than $250. Starting 11/29/21, the prize they can win is also a $250 Gift card good for shopping, dining and entertainment at the Old Mill District. One winner per branch.)
What Do You Get?
What do you get when you refer someone? A $10 gift card! And there is no limit, so you can keep referring. As long as the person you refer provides us with your name and email address, your award will be automatic.
But for a limited time, you are also entered to win a $250 Old Mill gift card. Details are below.
Many ways to refer
There are three easy ways to refer your friends:
First, you can obtain a Tell-A-Friend about Mid Oregon referral slip at any of our seven branches, complete your information on the back and give it to your friend. We will capture your information when they present the coupon as they open their checking account. They will automatically be entered to win the branch prize. You will automatically be sent information about the $10 gift card, and during this limited promotion, be entered to win the Old Mill gift card.
Second, you can email your friend automatically using our online referral page. Just visit the page, complete your information, and enter your friend’s name, email address, and a brief personal message before you send it. When your friend opens their checking account, our new account representative will see you sent them an email and complete the process.
And you can also share through your own email or social media with a sharable link. Visit the same webpage at https://refer.midoregon.com/. Instead of clicking “Email A Friend”, click “Get Shareable Link”. That will produce your personalized URL you can copy and paste into any number of places. When the friend opens their new checking account, you will be credited with the referral.
Chance to win a $250 Old Mill Gift Card
Now through December 31, 2021, you’ll also be entered into a free drawing for an Old Mill gift card valued $250. It can be used for your favorite local eateries, shops and, or course, entertainment.
Just visit refer.midoregon.com to Tell-A-Friend about Mid Oregon and start referring. There’s no limit—you can refer as many friends as you like (and earn as many gift cards as you want). You don’t even need to have a Mid Oregon checking account to Tell-A-Friend and be entered to win. Although why would you miss out on all the savings and convenience by having your checking account anywhere else?
Drawing Rules: No purchase necessary to enter or win a prize. Must be 18 years of age or older. Entries accepted through December 31, 2021. No cash equivalent, substitution, or transfer of prize is permitted. One entry per person. Other restrictions apply. See a Mid Oregon associate for details.
Read other Mid Oregon View articles about checking accounts.
Tips to Avoid a Holiday Spending Hangover
You can survive the season without suffering a fiscal holiday hangover. By examining the reasons for overspending, planning expenditures, and identifying what’s important to your family, you can rein in your spending and rediscover the joy of the holidays.
USA Today recently reported that Holiday shopping will be bigger this year. They quoted a recent American Express survey, which said “38% of consumers said they’ll spend more on the holidays this year in anticipation of a more celebratory season. On the one hand, that’s a good thing, because the holidays are supposed to be a happy, positive time. But the last thing consumers need is a pile of credit card debt to close out the year.”
In other words, they need to avoid a holiday spending hangover.
Tradition Influences Spending Habits
Examine your motives. What fuels the gift-giving mania? Tradition strongly influences holiday spending habits. If your family always broke the budget to buy presents for every living relative, odds are you’ll carry on the practice. So even though you haven’t seen Aunt Connie in five years, you buy her a gift.
Then there’s the time factor. People’s lives are busier than ever before. Decades ago we used to make gifts at home. Now we just buy it all because it’s easier. Hectic schedules may prevent us from shopping until the official rush begins after Thanksgiving. By then, we’re battling throngs of shoppers and racing through town looking for something, anything, for people on our list.
Overbuying Encouragement
Malls cater to our desperation; witness the appearance of countless specialty stands and calendar kiosks that appear only during the holiday season. Their easy access encourages impulse buying.
Credit also is a prime culprit. Department stores try their best to add one more credit card to your wallet by offering a 10%, one-day shopping discount. But it’s a deceptive bargain. Since department store cards charge high interest rates, if you carry over the balance into a second month, you’ll eliminate the discount you got. (You may want to check out Mid Oregon’s credit cards to save money!)
Plan & Budget
Spend some time planning and budgeting before you start your holiday shopping spree.
- Evaluate how much you can spend. What was the final bill last year? Too much? Estimate how much you can comfortably save between now and the holidays (or what you can pay off quickly afterward) and set that as your limit.
- Start saving money now. Build it into your regular budget as a periodic expense set aside for the holidays. Consider establishing a separate credit union savings account for holiday purchases. The more money you save, the fewer purchases you’ll have to charge on credit cards.
- Set a holiday budget. Holiday spending goes beyond gifts. There are decorations, postage, extra food, etc. Organize expenses into categories and if your total exceeds what you can afford, set priorities for purchases and cut back where you can.
- Start your gift list early. Planning ahead will help you avoid costly impulse spending.
Free Webinar on Budgeting
Want to learn more about budgeting? Join us on December 14th at 7 p.m. for our free webinar to set your spending plan, in five steps. You will learn how to set realistic goals, track where your money goes, and develop a spending plan you can really live with. Register online.
Check out other Mid Oregon View posts about Holiday spending.