Digital Banking Alerts and Settings That Help Protect Your Money

A suspicious charge can happen quickly, and the sooner you know about it, the sooner you can act. Banking alerts make it easier to keep an eye on your accounts without having to check your balance or transaction history throughout the day.

Digital banking alerts can send notifications to your phone or email when certain activity happens in your account. Some can help you spot potential fraud, while others can warn you about a low balance or keep you updated on everyday transactions. In this guide, we’ll walk through the banking alerts worth considering, how to set them up, and other mobile banking security settings and card controls that can help protect your money.

What Are Digital Banking Alerts?

Digital banking alerts are notifications sent to your phone or email when certain activity happens in your account. You might get a text when your debit card is used, an email when your balance falls below an amount you choose, or a push notification about account activity. Depending on your preferences, alerts may come by text, email, or through your banking app.

Instead of checking your account throughout the day, banking alerts help you stay updated when certain activity occurs. That can make it easier to spot a transaction you don’t recognize, keep an eye on your balance, or simply know when money moves in or out of your account.

Forward Bank customers can customize their alert preferences through Digital Banking on mobile devices or desktop computers. You can choose the alerts that are most useful to you and adjust your preferences as your needs change.

Why Do Banking Alerts Matter for Account Security?

When something unusual happens in your account, knowing about it sooner gives you more time to respond. Banking alerts can help you spot transactions you don’t recognize and take the appropriate next steps, such as reviewing your account, contacting your bank, or securing your card.

Without alerts, unfamiliar activity may go unnoticed until the next time you check your account or review your statement. Alerts give you another way to keep an eye on your money without having to constantly log in and check for yourself.

They can also make everyday money management a little easier:

• Catch possible errors: An alert may help you notice a duplicate charge or transaction amount that doesn’t look right.
• Keep an eye on shared accounts: If you share an account or have authorized users, transaction alerts can help you stay aware of account activity.
• Watch your balance: Low-balance alerts can let you know when your available funds fall below an amount you choose, giving you a chance to review upcoming expenses and act if needed.

Which Alerts Help Protect Your Money?

Not every banking alert serves the same purpose. Some can help you spot suspicious activity, while others make it easier to keep track of your balance and everyday spending. Here are a few alerts worth considering, depending on what your bank offers.

Transaction Alerts

Transaction alerts let you know when money moves in or out of your account. Depending on your bank, you may be able to set a dollar amount, so you’re only notified about transactions above the limit you choose.

For example, you might choose an alert for purchases over $25 or ATM withdrawals over $100. Think about a threshold that fits the way you normally use your account. Setting it too low could mean more notifications than you want, while setting it too high could cause you to miss activity you’d rather know about.

Check Alerts

Checks sent through the mail can be targeted for theft and fraud. A stolen check may be altered by changing the payment amount or payee, or someone may try to deposit it using a forged endorsement.

If you write checks, consider setting up an account alert for transactions containing “Check” in the description. When a check is presented for payment, the alert gives you a reminder to sign in to Digital Banking and review images of the front and back of the check.

If the amount, payee, or endorsement doesn’t look right, contact Forward Bank promptly. Checking the transaction soon after you receive the alert can help you spot possible check fraud and take action sooner.

Low-Balance Alerts

A low-balance alert lets you know when your balance falls below an amount you choose. It can be a helpful reminder to check your account, review upcoming payments, or transfer funds if needed.

There’s no perfect amount for everyone. Your threshold might be $100, $500, or another amount that makes sense based on your regular expenses and the cushion you like to keep in your account.

Login and Security Alerts

Security alerts can notify you about activity such as a new login, password change, or update to your account information, depending on what your bank offers.

If you receive a security notification for something you didn’t do, take a closer look right away. Check your account through your bank’s official app or website and contact your bank if you see something you don’t recognize.

Large Withdrawal or Transfer Alerts

If large withdrawals or transfers aren’t part of your normal routine, an alert can make those transactions easier to spot. You may be able to choose a dollar amount that triggers the notification.

Pick an amount based on how you typically use your account. Someone who rarely withdraws cash may choose a different threshold than someone who regularly makes larger purchases or transfers.

Debit Card Alerts

Debit card alerts can keep you updated when your card is used for purchases, ATM withdrawals, or online transactions. Depending on your bank, you may also be able to receive notifications for international or online purchases.

These alerts can be especially helpful for transactions where your physical card isn’t used. If an alert comes through for a purchase you don’t recognize, you can review the transaction and take the appropriate next steps.

How Do You Set Up Alerts in Mobile Banking?

The exact steps will vary by bank, but setting up alerts usually only takes a few steps. Here are the steps for Forward Bank:

1. Log in to your mobile banking app or online banking account.
2. Find the section for alerts under Profile section in app or online banking.
3. Choose the account and alerts you want to set up.
4. Customize any available settings, such as transaction amounts or balance thresholds.
5. Choose how you’d like to receive your alerts, text, or email, and save your preferences.

Forward Bank customers can manage alert preferences through Digital Banking. You can choose the alerts that are useful to you and adjust your settings as your needs change.

You don’t need to turn on every alert at once. Security and transaction alerts can be a good place to start. From there, consider adding alerts based on how you use your accounts and which notifications help you feel informed without creating unnecessary noise.

What Other Security Settings Strengthen Your Protection?

Banking alerts are helpful, but they shouldn’t do all the work. Pairing alerts with other digital banking security features can make it harder for someone else to access or use your accounts.

Multifactor Authentication

Multifactor authentication (MFA) adds another verification step when you sign in. In addition to your password, you may be asked for a one-time code or another way to confirm it’s really you. Depending on your bank, that could also include biometric verification, such as your fingerprint or face.

This extra step matters because a stolen password alone may not be enough to access your account. If your bank offers MFA, check your security settings to see what options are available and make sure your contact information is up to date.

Card Controls

Card controls let you manage certain features of your debit card through mobile or online banking. Depending on what your bank offers, you may be able to:

• Temporarily lock your card: Misplaced your debit card? A temporary lock can prevent new transactions while you look for it. If the card is truly lost or stolen, contact your bank about next steps.

Account Access Notifications

Some digital banking platforms can notify you about certain account access or security activity, such as a login from a new device.

If you receive a notification about activity you don’t recognize, don’t ignore it. Sign in through your bank’s official app or website to review your account and contact your bank if something doesn’t look right.

What Are Common Mistakes to Avoid with Banking Alerts?

Turning on banking alerts is a great start, but how you set them up matters, too. A few simple adjustments can make your notifications more useful and easier to manage.

Setting thresholds too high: If you only receive alerts for transactions over $200, you won’t be notified about anything below that amount. Choose a threshold that helps you notice the activity you care about without filling your phone with notifications you don’t need.

Letting notifications become background noise: Too many alerts can make it tempting to stop paying attention to them. Choose a delivery method you check regularly, whether that’s text, email, or push notifications, and focus on the alerts that are most useful to you.

Using outdated contact information: Changed your phone number or email address recently? Take a moment to make sure your contact information is current so important account notifications can reach you.

Relying on alerts alone: Banking alerts can help you stay informed, but they’re only one part of good digital banking security. Strong, unique passwords, available security features, and regular account reviews can all help you keep a closer eye on your money.

How Can You Take the Next Step with Digital Banking Security?

Forward Bank’s Digital Banking tools can help you keep a closer eye on your accounts. Depending on the features available for your account, you can manage banking alerts and card controls through mobile or online banking and choose settings that fit the way you manage your money.

You don’t have to turn on every alert or security setting at once. Start with the ones that are most useful to you, then adjust them as your needs change. If you have questions about setting up alerts or using available security features, reach out to our team for help.

Next Steps

• Review your banking alerts and turn on the notifications that make the most sense for how you use your accounts.
• Check your security and card settings to make sure available protections, such as multifactor authentication and card controls, are set up the way you want.
• Keep your information current by reviewing your phone number and email address so important account notifications can reach you.