Stronger Passwords, Stronger Protection: Simple Steps to Help Prevent Fraud

Published on September 21, 2026 | 3 min read | Webster Bank

Your password is one of the first lines of defense protecting your financial and personal information. But in today’s digital world, a password alone may not be enough.

Cybercriminals use phishing, fake websites and information stolen in data breaches to obtain passwords and gain access to accounts. The good news is that a few simple steps can make it harder for fraudsters to get in.

Use Strong, Unique Passwords

One of the most important things you can do is use a different password for every important account.

Why? If a fraudster gets your password from one website or service, they may try that same password on your email, financial, social media and other accounts. Using unique passwords helps prevent one compromised account from putting your other accounts at risk.

Help protect yourself by:

• Using a different password for every important account.
• Making passwords long and difficult to guess. Consider using a passphrase made up of several unrelated words.
• Avoiding easily guessed information, such as your name, birthday or address.
• Changing a password if you believe it has been compromised.

Consider a Password Manager

If you’re thinking, “How am I supposed to remember a different, complicated password for every account?”—that’s where a password manager can help.

A password manager is a secure tool that stores your passwords and can generate strong, unique passwords for your accounts. Instead of trying to remember dozens of passwords, you generally only need to remember one strong master password to access your password manager.

Password managers can help you:

• Create stronger passwords
• Avoid reusing passwords
• Keep your passwords securely in one place
• Access them across your devices

If you use a password manager, protect your account with a strong, unique master password and multi-factor authentication (MFA), when available.

Turn On Multi-Factor Authentication

Multi-factor authentication (MFA) adds another layer of security by requiring more than just your password to verify your identity.

Depending on the account, you may be asked to enter a one-time security code, approve a login through an authentication app or use another verification method.

That extra step can help protect your account even if someone manages to obtain your password.

Turn on MFA whenever it is available—especially for your email, financial and other important accounts.

Never Share a Verification Code

A security code is meant for you, not someone calling or messaging you.

Scammers may pretend to be your bank or another company you trust and ask for a verification code to “secure” your account. They may actually be trying to gain access.

Never share a verification code with someone who contacts you unexpectedly. If you receive an MFA request you didn’t initiate, don’t approve it.

Think Before You Click

Be cautious with unexpected emails, texts and phone calls asking you to click a link, provide personal information, reset a password or “verify” an account.

Scammers often create a sense of urgency to get you to act quickly.

When in doubt, stop and verify. Contact the company directly using a trusted phone number or website—not the information provided in a suspicious message.

A Few Minutes Can Make a Big Difference

Protecting your passwords and enabling multi-factor authentication are simple steps that can help keep your accounts safer from fraud.

Strong, unique passwords + a password manager + multi-factor authentication + a healthy dose of skepticism = a stronger defense against fraud.

Make protecting your accounts part of your fraud-prevention routine.