Best Practices

We’ve put together information about best practices, along with helpful tips and resources for how First Atlantic helps you prevent or navigate common scams. 

Best Practices

Here are some best practices for securely surfing online, including our website and our mobile app: 

Change your password often, don’t reuse them, and make them hard-to-guess passwords.

A password represents a shared secret between the user and the system they are authenticating. The system cannot differentiate the real user from another user who also knows the password. For this reason, it is essential that users keep their password private.

A well-chosen password has two important characteristics; it should be easy to remember, and hard to guess. A password that has to be written down is not strong, no matter how many principles of a “good password” are applied. It is also best practice to use a different password on every website. 

Below is an example of a more secure password: Mpis4y2!

• At least 8 characters in length
• At least one numerical digit
• Use of upper and lower case
• Use of special characters (like #$%&!) - adding 2 characters increases the time required to crack the password by almost 100 times.
• Not a word in the dictionary
• Not easily guessed - don’t use aspects of your identity, such as your birthday, social security number, or login ID
• Can be easily remembered as an acronym: My password is secure 4 you 2!

Here is an example of a less secure password: Password1

It is based on a word in the dictionary. “Password1” is among the top 630 most used passwords and can be cracked instantly using a dictionary attack.

Change your First Atlantic username or password by: 

• Going to this website: Forgot your password/username 
• Calling us at (732) 380-3600 
• Visiting your favorite branch 

Your log-in is for your eyes only.

Keep your log-in info ultra-private and don’t give it out to anyone. 

Stay notified with First Atlantic text alerts.

You can set up text alerts to keep updated when your balance reaches a particular amount, when there is an unexpected withdrawal, and more. First Atlantic does not charge for text alert service, but message or data rates may apply through your provider. 

Set-up text alerts:

1. Log-in to your First Atlantic account on https://www.fafcu.com or the First Atlantic mobile app
2. Choose the ‘Settings’ Icon
3. Go to ‘My Settings
4. Click ‘Edit’ under Security options
5. Select your preferences 

Sign up for eStatements to save trees and be in-the-know.

You can help the planet and yourself by enrolling in First Atlantic eStatements. Your statements are kept safely online and kept out of the trash. 

Opt-in to e-statements by logging into your account online or in the app and following these steps: 

1. Online Banking under Services, click Online Statements. Mobile App under More. 
2. Read the disclosure. 
3. Click to open the “Example Statement”. 
4. Copy the code at the top and close the example statement. 
5. Paste the confirmation code into the field on the Enrollment screen. 
6. Click “I Agree”. 
7. Select delivery option of eStatement or Paper for each account. 
8. Confirm details and click "Enroll" on the last screen. 
    

The best way to protect you mobile device is to install updates when they become available.

Multiple vulnerabilities have been discovered in Apple Products, the most severe of which could allow for arbitrary code execution. Successful exploitation of the most severe of these vulnerabilities could result in arbitrary code execution within the context of the application, an attacker gaining the same privileges as the logged-on user, or the bypassing of security restrictions. Depending on the permission associated with the application running the exploit, an attacker could then install programs; view, change, or delete data.

System Affected:

• iOS and iPadOS prior to 15.1
• iOS and iPadOS prior to 14.8.1
• macOS Monterey prior to 12.0.1
• macOS Big Sur prior to 11.6.1
• macOS Catalina prior to security update 2021-007
• watchOS prior to 8.1
• tvOS prior to 15.1

ATM Transactions

• Never give anyone your PIN
• Cover the keyboard when entering your PIN
• Never write your PIN on the card or keep it with your card
• Choose a PIN difficult to guess; avoid personally-identifiable information, such as birthday, ID number, and telephone numbers
• Don't allow someone to help you with a transaction
• Check that no one is very close to you when performing a transaction
• Choose an ATM in a well-lit location, and have your card or device ready for use
• Do not use an ATM if you are suspicious or it looks damaged
• Cancel the transaction, take your card, and leave the ATM if you feel uncomfortable for any reason
• Add your card issuer's emergency number to your cell phone contacts list
• If you observe anything unusual or suspicious about an ATM transaction you have done or attempted to do, immediately report it to your card issuer using your own contact information (not a telephone number attached to the ATM. Examples of unusual ATM behavior include:
  • Your card is not returned,
  • Your cash is not delivered, or
  • You do not receive a receipt when you request one.
• Check transaction records frequently, and report suspicious transactions immediately
• Subscribe to SMS transaction alerts
• After completing a transaction, make sure you have your own card
• Pay attention; do not allow yourself to be distracted while performing a transaction
• Never give card, device, or PIN details to anyone, even if they claim to be official; your genuine card issuer will never ask you for these details in person or by phone, SMS, email, or website.