By Michelle Skinner, Communications Director

In addition to being National Co-op Month, October is also Cybersecurity Awareness Month. So, this week, we wanted to take a few minutes to remind you that protecting your money isn’t just about having the right technology. It’s about partnering with a trusted financial institution that’s actively working to safeguard your financial well-being every day.

HINT: We mean your favorite financial cooperatives: credit unions!

For most people, a credit union is a place to save, borrow, and build a stronger financial future.

But here’s a job title you may not know about: cyber defender. Do credit union professionals deserve capes? Probably.

Every day, credit unions across Montana work behind the scenes to stop fraud, detect suspicious transactions, educate members, and stay one step ahead of cybercriminals.

Cybersecurity Awareness Month reminds us that protecting our finances is no longer just about locking the front door or shredding documents. It’s about protecting our digital lives.

The Threat Has Changed. So Has the Response.

Today’s cybercriminals rarely wear ski masks… or maybe they do, and we just don’t see them because they hide behind text messages, emails, fake websites, QR codes, social media posts, and especially artificial intelligence.

Think of scams not just as targeting technology, but as targeting trust. It’s way scarier that way, and when it comes to fraud and scams, it’s better to be overcautious.

A text claiming your package couldn’t be delivered. A phone call from someone posing as the government. A job offer that seems too good to be true. A message that appears to come from your financial institution.

These scams work because they’re designed to create urgency and bypass our better judgment.

As discussed in Montana’s Credit Unions’ recent blog, Scams and Fraud Targeting Young Adults: The Class We All Needed, newer fraud schemes such as task scams, rental scams, and QR code scams (remember quishing?) are increasing and often target consumers who may be navigating major financial decisions for the first time.

What Your Credit Union Sees That You Don’t

When members look at their accounts, they see balances and transactions.

Credit unions see patterns.

Modern fraud monitoring systems constantly analyze activity for unusual behavior, helping identify potential fraud before a member even notices something is wrong. Suspicious purchases, login attempts from unfamiliar locations, account takeover attempts, and unusual payment activity can trigger alerts that allow credit unions to act fast.

But technology is only part of the equation.

Unlike large, impersonal financial institutions, credit unions combine advanced security tools with local relationships. When something doesn’t look right, there are real people — likely your friends, neighbors, and co-PTO parents — ready to help investigate, educate, and support members through the next steps.

That people-first approach is one reason credit unions remain trusted financial partners during fraud events.

Cybersecurity Is a Team Sport 🏀

Much like the Avengers or your favorite NCAA basketball squad, cybersecurity works best when everyone works together towards a common goal.

Think of your credit union as your financial security system. It can monitor accounts, detect threats, and provide alerts. But members still play an essential role in locking the digital doors.

Here are five actions that have the biggest impact:

1. Use Multifactor Authentication Everywhere: Passwords alone are no longer enough, especially when your best kept secret is “Password123.” Multifactor authentication creates an additional barrier between criminals and your accounts.
2. Stop and Verify: Before clicking a link or responding to a message, pause. A few extra seconds could save thousands of dollars and countless hours of recovery.
3. Never Share Verification Codes: Fraudsters increasingly pose as financial institutions and ask members to “confirm” a verification code. Legitimate organizations will never ask you to provide one.
4. Turn On Account Alerts: Transaction notifications help identify suspicious activity quickly so you can act before losses escalate.
5. Keep Devices Updated: Software updates aren’t just about new features. They’re often designed to close security gaps criminals actively exploit. 

Continue Your Fraud-Fighting Education

Cybersecurity Awareness Month is a great opportunity to strengthen your defenses and learn about emerging threats. For more fraud prevention resources, check out:

• 5 Common Scams Targeting Seniors
• How Do I Avoid Phishing and Online Fraud?
• What Should I Do If My Identity Is Stolen?

The Bottom Line

Cybercriminals only have to be right once — much like the weathermen in Montana. Credit unions work every day to make sure they aren’t.

This Cybersecurity Awareness Month, remember that fraud prevention isn’t just about stronger passwords. It’s about partnering with a financial institution that’s actively protecting your financial future, educating you about emerging threats, and standing ready when something doesn’t seem right.

Because your credit union isn’t just where you keep your money. It’s one of your strongest allies in keeping it safe.

Note: Yes, the article image above was created with AI. But isn’t it perfect?!