Security for a confident tomorrow

Wherever possible, use complex passwords of at least eight characters and mix numbers, upper- and lower-case letters, and symbols. Make your passwords unpredictable and change them often. Avoid using the same password for multiple sites, and don't use names, dates, or words related to you.

Many websites offer optional advanced security features to help increase the security of your account. This could include the ability to provide answers to security questions, configure additional email or text notifications for activity on your account, or opting to have a one-time passcode sent to your phone or email. We recommend taking advantage of these additional protections when they’re available.

Good protection software provides 24/7 online safety against malicious software by preventing harmful malware from coming into contact with your computer system. Outdated software makes you vulnerable to attack, so keep your software — including your operating system, web browsers, and apps — updated to protect against the latest threats.

Reputable companies won't request confidential information or ask you to reset a password through email. If you get a request like this, it’s likely a phishing scam. Be cautious about opening attachments or clicking on links in emails or texts. These links could harm your computer, expose personal data, and compromise other information stored on your device. Instead, verify the URL of the company’s website, open a new browser window, and type the verified URL directly into the address bar.

Social Security and Medicare scammers are generally seeking a few pieces of highly confidential information, including your birth date, birth place, Social Security number, mother’s maiden name, or your credit card and bank account numbers. Never give this information to anyone before verifying that the person you’re speaking to is legitimate. Social Security and Medicare officials will never call to request personal information unless you’ve given them permission in advance.

Learn more about preventing elder fraud.

The IRS will never initiate contact through email, text messages, or social media channels to request personal or financial information. Communications are strictly sent via physical mail. If you are contacted in any other manner by someone claiming to represent the IRS, it is a scam. Learn more about avoiding tax scams and stay informed about best practices by visiting irs.gov/newsroom/tax-scams-consumer-alerts.

Use available confirmations and alerts to catch anything suspicious in real time. Unusual or unauthorized activity could indicate that someone has stolen personal details or committed fraud. That's why it's important to monitor your account statements and credit profiles. You can get a free copy of your credit report each year by visiting annualcreditreport.com.

When using public WiFi, always connect to a secured network whenever possible. Don't access your bank accounts or sensitive personal data on unsecured public networks (think coffee shops and airports). These can be risky even on secure networks, so always use your best judgment.

Transamerica is committed to the privacy and security of your information and works to monitor suspicious activity to keep accounts safe. We feel so strongly about the security of your account that we pledge to cover any losses due to unauthorized account activity that occur through no fault of your own in any covered Transamerica account. Review our customer security policy for more information.