Overview

Mobile banking is one of the most convenient ways to manage your money — you can check your balance, pay bills, and transfer funds without ever leaving home. Millions of people use it safely every day, and we encourage our customers to take advantage of it.

But like any tool, it works best when you know how to use it safely. This guide covers the most important habits for keeping your mobile banking secure — whether you’re brand new to banking on your phone or you’ve been doing it for years.

Use Only the Official Bank of Marin App

The safest way to access your mobile banking is through the official Bank of Marin app, downloaded directly from Apple’s App Store or the Google Play Store. Search for “Bank of Marin” and confirm the developer name matches before downloading.

Be cautious of apps that appear in search results with similar names or logos — fake banking apps do exist and are designed specifically to steal your login credentials. If you’re ever unsure whether an app is legitimate, call us at (866) 626-6004 and we’ll confirm.

A few good habits around the app itself:

• Keep the app updated. Updates often contain important security fixes. Enable automatic updates if your phone allows it.
• Log out of the app when you’re done, rather than just closing the screen. This prevents someone else from accessing your account if they pick up your phone.
• Enable biometric login — fingerprint or face recognition — if your phone supports it. It’s more secure than a numeric PIN and faster to use.

Protect Your Phone Itself

Your phone is the front door to your banking app. If someone can get into your phone, they may be able to get into your bank account.

• Use a strong screen lock — a six-digit PIN at minimum, or better yet a fingerprint or face lock. Avoid using obvious PINs like your birthday or 1234.
• Enable “Find My Phone” features on your device (available on both iPhone and Android). If your phone is lost or stolen, you can remotely lock or erase it.
• Don’t share your phone passcode with anyone, including people you trust. You can share specific apps or photos with family members without giving them full access to your device.
• Report a lost or stolen phone immediately — both to your carrier and to us. We can temporarily restrict access to your mobile banking until your situation is resolved.

Be Careful on Public Wi-Fi

Public Wi-Fi networks — in coffee shops, airports, hotels, and libraries — are convenient, but they are not secure. Other people on the same network can potentially intercept the data you send and receive.

• Avoid logging into your bank account on public Wi-Fi. Wait until you’re on your home network or using your phone’s cellular data connection instead.
• If you do need to bank on the go, use your phone’s cellular data (the connection your phone uses for calls and texts) rather than connecting to a public Wi-Fi network. It’s significantly more secure.
• Consider a VPN (Virtual Private Network) if you frequently use public Wi-Fi for sensitive tasks. These are available as low-cost apps and encrypt your internet connection. Ask a trusted family member or your phone carrier if you’d like help setting one up.

Watch Out for Fake Text Messages and Alerts

Scammers frequently send text messages that appear to come from your bank, warning you of suspicious activity or asking you to verify your account. These messages often contain a link that leads to a convincing fake website designed to steal your login information.

• Bank of Marin will never ask for your full password, PIN, or Social Security number via text message.
• If you receive a suspicious text claiming to be from us, do not click any links. Call us directly at (866) 626-6004 to find out if the message is legitimate.
• Be especially wary of messages that create urgency — “Your account has been locked” or “Immediate action required.” This pressure is a hallmark of fraud.
• Check the sender carefully. Scam texts often come from unfamiliar numbers or addresses that look almost — but not quite — right.

Use Strong, Unique Passwords

Your online banking password should be something you don’t use anywhere else. If a criminal obtains your password from a data breach at another website and you’ve reused it for banking, your account is at risk.

• Create a password that is long and unique — a combination of letters, numbers, and symbols that you haven’t used for any other account.
• Consider a password manager — an app that securely stores all your passwords so you only have to remember one master password. Many phones now have this built in. Ask a family member to help you set one up if you’d like.
• Enable two-factor authentication on your Bank of Marin online banking if available. This means that even if someone has your password, they still need a second code — usually sent to your phone — to log in.
• Never share your password with anyone, including people who claim to be from the bank. Bank of Marin employees will never ask for your password.

Keep Your Contact Information Up to Date

Many of our security alerts and verification codes are sent to the phone number or email address we have on file for you. If that information is outdated, you may miss important notifications — or have trouble verifying your identity if something goes wrong.

If your phone number or email address has changed, please let us know by calling (866) 626-6004 or visiting any branch.

Signs That Something May Be Wrong

Contact us immediately if you notice any of the following:

• Transactions on your account that you don’t recognize
• A notification that your password or contact information was changed and you didn’t do it
• You’re suddenly unable to log into your account
• You receive an unexpected verification code you didn’t request — this may mean someone is attempting to access your account

Need Help?

If you have any questions about mobile banking, want help setting up the app, or notice anything unusual on your account, please call us at (866) 626-6004 or stop by any branch. We’re happy to walk through it with you in person.

Remember: When in doubt, do not give out information or send money — contact your bank first!