Cybercrime is a booming industry. Experts predict its global annual cost will reach $8 trillion in 2023, and $10.5 trillion by 2025.* That means you have everything to lose and cybercriminals have everything to gain. Hackers are hoping you’re not on the alert. But you can take simple steps to make their work more difficult.
Here are five things you can do today to help protect your financial information—and your savings.
Secure online access to your account.
1. Set up online access for your UC Retirement Savings Program account(s).
Go to NetBenefits and select Register as a new user. Make sure to use a strong, unique username and password.
If your password is predictable or easily guessable, or if you use the same password for multiple accounts, then it’s time for a change. Wondering what constitutes a strong password? Yours should:
- Be at least eight characters in length.
- Not contain a complete word, your user name, your real name, your email address, or the letters “UC.”
- Be significantly different from your past passwords or current passwords for other accounts.
- Combine uppercase letters, lowercase letters, numbers, and symbols.
2. Add or update your mobile phone number and email address.
Go to NetBenefits > Menu > Profile > Personal & Contact Information and make sure your phone number and email address are current.
This step allows you to continue to receive important information about the UC Retirement Savings Program. Plus, it also lets you use additional security features like real-time alerts and 2-factor authentication. Your information will not be shared with any unaffiliated third parties.
3. Sign up for 2-factor authentication at login.
To enroll in optional two-factor authentication at logon, visit NetBenefits > Menu > Profile > Security Center > Additional security. Don't share these codes with anyone.
With 2-factor authentication, you get an additional security check point every time you log in, or whenever you log in from a new device. Make sure your phone number is on file before you sign up.
4. Sign up for eDelivery and monitor your account.
To receive your documents via email instead of U.S. Mail, go to NetBenefits> Menu > Profile > Preferences > Communication.
Using a personal email is more sustainable and can make it easier to access your account information in an emergency. eDelivery also ensures that you can continue to receive important account information if you leave UC.
Secure telephone access to your account.
5. Enable MyVoice, Fidelity’s voice recognition program.
Call Fidelity Retirement Services at (866) 682-7787 to create your unique voiceprint, which will be used to authenticate you on future calls.
Fidelity MyVoice® analyzes the individual characteristics of your voice. It's not a recording of your voice: It's a digital representation, as unique to you as your fingerprint. Your voiceprint can't be duplicated or stolen, and it works only with Fidelity’s system.
Last words
Be on the lookout for suspicious emails. If you're concerned that an email you've received is fraudulent, or you want to confirm that the email is really from Fidelity, contact Fidelity for help verifying that it is legitimate.
Remember, never include sensitive information like your Fidelity account numbers, your Social Security number, or your password, in email.