Here are several guidelines about protecting the assets in your accounts at *Charles Schwab & Co., Inc. (“Schwab”):
- Check out the SchwabSafe® material (available at the bottom of the web page) when you log in to your account(s) at Schwaballiance.com.
- An email from Schwab will never ask you for your personal financial information. If you suspect an email is fraudulent, please contact us immediately by calling 712-256-4856.
- When logging in to your Schwab account or any other financial site, be sure you see the https://www… This insures you are accessing a secure website.
- A secure login ID and password should not contain any part of your Social Security number, birth date, or other private information.
- Your Schwaballiance.com password should be a random combination of 6-8 numbers and letters, with at least one number included between the first and last character. It should not be a significant sequence like your Social Security number or birth date.
- Change your password often – at least once every six months.
- When you leave Schwaballiance.com, log out; don’t just X out of the page. (If you do not log out, another person with access to your computer could view your account information using the memory function in the browser.)
- Protect your computer by keeping your operating system and browser up to date, installing and updating anti-virus and anti-spyware software on your computer, and using a firewall.
- For special measures to take before you travel for an extended period of time, read the SchwabSafe® Traveling Tips material.
- You can request a special security token free of charge to access your Schwab account online. Call Schwab at 1-800-515-2157.
- If you think you have been a victim of identity theft or fraud, contact us immediately by calling 712-256-4856 or Schwab at 1-800-515-2157.
[Disclosure: *Dickinson Investment Advisors has selected Charles Schwab & Co., Inc. as primary custodian for our clients’ accounts.]
