Discover — Online Banking Security Center

When it comes to protecting yourself and your accounts against fraud, it helps to know how to spot it and address it right away. Here are some ways you can stay on the lookout:

Tip 1: Monitor your account

Make it a habit to monitor your deposit account activity regularly. Enrolling in Account Alerts  is one way to do it (see “Activate Account Alerts” in the “What you can do” section ). If you see anything unusual, contact us at 1-877-737-1931 as soon as possible. 

Tip 2: Beware of scams

Criminals are getting more sophisticated by the day with scams to fraudulently obtain your personal identification and/or account information. These scams can take many forms, but here are the three most common:  

Phishing emails – These emails appear to be sent from legitimate businesses and try to get you to reply with information, or click on links and/or attachments.

Smishing texts – Similar to phishing emails, criminals send fake texts to trick you into clicking a link to a fraudulent website or into calling them. 

Vishing phone calls – These phone calls and voice messages will attempt to get you to share information over the phone.

The key to avoid falling victim to these scams is patience. Scammers want you to respond without thinking through their request. Before providing information or clicking on any links in an email or text, ask yourself the following questions: 

• Do I know and trust the sender/caller?
• Why am I receiving this request?
• Was I expecting this request?  

If you can’t easily answer these questions, be on the look out for tell-tale signs such as: 

• An urgent request for personal or financial information
• Poor grammar, spelling or punctuation
• A threatening statement or rewarding offer
• Links or attachments in an email that look questionable or don’t match the context of the message 

When in doubt, don’t respond, click on links or open attachments. Call the business directly using a phone number from their website or other reputable source and ask if the request was from them. 

To stay informed about the latest scams, visit the government’s Scam Alerts website.

If you believe you have received a phishing or fraudulent email that appears to be from us or have interacted with the email and believe your account security has been compromised, please call us at 1-877-737-1931 immediately.

Tip 3: Shred confidential documents

Trash cans and dumpsters are favorite hunting grounds for people who want to steal your personal or financial information. To help stay safe, either file away or shred any documents that have sensitive information like account numbers and Social Security numbers. Better yet, avoid the hassle of shredding and sign up for electronic statements.  

Want to go paperless? Take Me There

Tip 4: When you suspect fraud, report it

It is important to act quickly if you suspect fraud. If you believe that your identity or financial information is being used fraudulently, please notify us as soon as possible. In addition, our dedicated fraud specialists proactively monitor your account for unusual activity. If you suspect fraud, please call us at 1-877-737-1931 immediately.

If you become a victim of fraud, here are additional contacts you may find helpful:

To report a compromised Social Security number, call the Social Security Administration fraud hotline at 1-800-269-0271. 

To report fraud to the Federal Trade Commission, call 1-877-IDTHEFT (1-877-438-4338) or TTY 1-866-653-4261. To report identity theft, you can visit IdentityTheft.gov. Law enforcement across the country will be able to use this information to help with their investigations.  

You can also file a police report with your local authorities. Your police report will help them gain insight on how the crime was committed.

To help prevent future fraud by placing a fraud alert on your name and identity, contact the credit bureaus:

From secure online banking to fraud monitoring, Discover is looking out for you.

Secure Online and Mobile Banking

Your information is encrypted for your security. We utilize Secure Socket Layer (SSL) technology to encrypt your personal and account information online, with compatible browsers, and in the mobile app. This technology encodes (scrambles) the information sent over the internet and makes it virtually impossible for someone else to access it. Additionally, your account information, including your statements, is password-protected whether you are online in the Account Center or on the mobile app.

Proactive Fraud Monitoring

Your account activity is monitored for potential fraud and we will alert you if we see anything unusual. If you do have fraud on your account, our fraud specialists are available at 1-877-737-1931 to guide you through the investigation process. 

Information Privacy

Protecting your personal and financial information is a top priority. We limit the sharing of information with others and maintain physical, electronic and procedural safeguards to protect the information we have about you. View our Privacy Policy.

FDIC Insured

Your Discover deposit accounts are FDIC-insured up to the maximum amount allowed by law. Learn more.

Enhanced Account Verification

Enhanced Account Verification provides a stronger layer of protection to verify your identity and protect your account. When you log into your account from an unfamiliar device or are making updates to your personal information, we may use Enhanced Account Verification to confirm it’s really you. Here’s how it works:

1. You perform an activity that triggers Enhanced Account Verification and will be momentarily redirected to confirm your identity.
2. Choose to receive your verification code via text, phone call or email.
3. Enter your code to successfully complete your activity.

You will likely have a similar experience on the phone for higher security transactions such as replacing a debit card.