Think Before You Click
Published on October 6, 2026 | 3 min read | Webster Bank
October is Cybersecurity Awareness Month, a good time to take a closer look at the everyday habits that can help protect your personal and financial information.
Emails. Text messages. Phone calls. QR codes. We encounter them every day, often responding without giving them much thought. But fraudsters may use these same channels to try to get you to act quickly, click a link or share information.
One of the simplest ways to help protect yourself is also one of the most important: pause before you act.
Before you click a link, respond to a message or share information, take a moment to ask: Does this seem right?
Stop and verify before you click
Fraudulent messages can be convincing. They may appear to come from a company you know, alert you to a problem with an account or tell you that immediate action is required.
Be cautious with unexpected links, attachments and QR codes, particularly when a message creates a sense of urgency or asks for personal or financial information. If you’re unsure whether a communication is legitimate, don’t use the contact information or link provided in the message. Instead, go directly to the company’s website or app, or contact the organization using a phone number you know and trust.
Protect your accounts
Strong security starts with strong account habits. Use strong, unique passwords for your accounts, and avoid using the same password across multiple websites or services.
For added protection, enable multifactor authentication (MFA) when it’s available. MFA adds another step to the sign-in process, helping protect an account even if a password is compromised.
And remember: Verification codes and other account credentials are meant to help protect your accounts. Treat them like other sensitive information and don’t share them with someone who unexpectedly contacts you.
Stay alert to scams
Fraudsters often rely on two powerful tools: urgency and trust.
You might receive a message about suspicious activity on an account, a payment that needs to be made immediately or an opportunity that sounds too good to miss. You might even hear from someone who appears to represent a familiar company or organization.
Don’t let urgency make the decision for you. Slow down, consider the request and verify it independently before taking action.
Know what’s happening with your accounts
Keeping an eye on your financial accounts can help you spot unusual activity sooner. Review your transactions regularly and take advantage of available account alerts that can notify you about certain purchases, withdrawals or other activity.
It’s also a good idea to keep your contact information current with your bank so you can receive important account communications and notifications.
If you notice activity you don’t recognize, contact your bank promptly using a trusted phone number or other verified channel.
When in doubt, verify
Cybersecurity threats continue to evolve, but you don’t have to be a cybersecurity expert to develop safer habits.
If something feels unusual, unexpected or overly urgent, pause. Think about what you’re being asked to do. Then verify the request through a source you trust before you act.
A few extra moments before you click, respond or share can help you make a more informed decision and better protect your personal and financial information.
