Banking has changed considerably over the years. Today, many of us can check an account balance, pay a bill, deposit a cheque, or send money without ever leaving home. That convenience comes with an important consideration: keeping our personal and financial information safe.
At Kindred, we are committed to protecting your privacy and safeguarding your personal and financial information.. Kindred has an important role to play, and so do members, because digital security works best when we work together.
Behind every online or mobile banking interaction are layers of technology, processes, and safeguards designed to help keep information secure. Protecting member information isn't simply about responding when something goes wrong. It means thinking about security throughout the banking experience - from how members sign in and complete transactions to how confidential information is shared.
One example is two-step verification (2SV). When additional verification is required, members receive a one-time code by text, email, or voice call. That means someone who obtains your password still faces another barrier before accessing your account.
Kindred's online banking system also uses a risk-based approach to determine when additional verification may be appropriate. Factors can include your device and usual banking behaviour. You may be asked for a verification code when signing in or completing certain higher-risk activities, such as changing a password, adding a bill payee, or setting up a new e-Transfer recipient.
We also provide secure ways to exchange sensitive information. As you may already know, email is not a secure method of communicating confidential information, which is why Kindred offers secure options for sharing information electronically.
These measures are part of an ongoing approach to digital security. As technology changes, and as fraudsters change their tactics, security practices need to evolve too.
Technology can provide strong safeguards, and yet some of the most effective security measures are in your hands. A few habits can make a meaningful difference.
Protect your passwords. Use a strong, unique password or passphrase for online banking and don't reuse it for other accounts. If another website experiences a data breach, a reused password could give a fraudster what they need to access other services.
Keep verification codes to yourself. A two-step verification code is intended for you. Treat it like your password or PIN and never provide it to someone who contacts you unexpectedly. If you receive a verification code you didn't request, it may mean someone is attempting to access your account.
Be cautious with links. Phishing emails and text messages can be remarkably convincing. Instead of clicking a link in an unexpected message asking you to sign in, use the Kindred mobile app or navigate to Kindred's website yourself.
Slow down when something feels urgent. Fraudsters often try to create pressure: Act now. Your account has been compromised. Send this money immediately. A sense of urgency is a good reason to stop and verify - not to act more quickly.
Keep your devices up to date. Install operating system, browser, and app updates when they become available. Updates frequently contain important security fixes. Protect your phone, tablet, and computer with a password, PIN, fingerprint, or other screen lock as well.
Pay attention to your accounts. Review transactions regularly and contact Kindred promptly if something doesn't look right. The sooner unusual activity is identified, the sooner steps can be taken to investigate it.
Good digital security isn't intended to make online banking difficult; its purpose is to make convenient banking safer.
Although features such as two-step verification can add an extra moment to a transaction, that moment provides an additional safeguard for something worth protecting. And as online banking technology continues to evolve, security will continue to be part of the experience. There's also an important principle to remember: you don't have to figure out a suspicious situation on your own.
If you receive an unexpected call, email, or text claiming to be from Kindred, or something about your account doesn't seem right, stop before providing information or taking action. Contact Kindred using contact information you know is legitimate.
Your financial information represents much more than numbers on a screen. It connects to your savings, your plans, your family, and the things you've worked hard to build. Protecting it is a shared responsibility.
At Kindred, we'll continue investing in safeguards and practices designed to protect member information and provide a secure banking experience. Members can strengthen those protections through simple habits: using strong passwords, keeping verification codes private, recognizing suspicious messages, keeping devices current, and speaking up when something doesn't feel right.
A little care online can go a long way toward protecting what matters, and helping all of us make peace with our money.