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Internet banking is becoming more popular in this “we-can-do-anything-on-the-Internet” world. And why not? Internet banking is so easy and convenient. It fits your lifestyle. You can access your account anywhere you have Internet access twenty-four/seven. If you are thinking about opening an Internet bank account, you definitely need to make sure the bank web-site is secure and legitimate. How can you tell?
Tell-Tale Signs
To tell if your Internet banking site is legitimate, make sure that they are a secure and legitimate site.
An easy way to check is to look at the web address itself. It should start with https: not http:. The web address bar may even turn green in some browsers.
Locate the Internet bank's contact information. They should have a physical address and land line contact phone number.
Look for the FDIC insured link or logo.
Research
Before you give your hard earned cash to just any Internet bank, make sure they are legitimate. Check and re-check all of the institutions' contact information. Contact them. Ask questions. Make sure they are real! There also should be an “about us” section on the site. This should tell businesses detail. How long have they existed? Who is the CFO? Who is the parent company, if any? This is your money you are entrusting to them. Make sure it is safe! Go to the FDIC web-site. Look for information about the Internet bank you are considering. If they are insured, their information will be available.
Bad Site
So, you click an ad for an Internet bank. You get to the site and see that there a lot of other non-bank related ads on the site. There is no “https:” in the site web address. As you scan the site, the only contact information you can find is an e-mail address. No phone number. No physical address. No contact name. The “about us” section contains a sweet little story of drive and ambition. Kind of generic! Could be anyone! There is no FDIC logo. To an Internet novice, the story may have been convincing. To someone who has been a net surfer for a while, this site would not get more than a few seconds of time before they go somewhere else.
Good Site
Now you click another ad with a familiar institution name. You get here and notice that your web address bar has turned green. You notice that the web address contains, “https:” As you are browsing you find the main bank branch physical address, toll free number, and contact name. In the “about us” you find out the story behind the bank. You find out how long they have been in business, who the founder is, and the bank’s mission statement. You look a little more on the site and you find the FDIC logo and link. You make the calls and verify the site is legitimate. You should be safe conducting your Internet banking businesses with them.
Is Your Internet Bank Legitimate? How To Tell
