Top o’ the mornin’ to ya, lads and lasses! Thanks for celebrating St. Patrick’s Day by giving your pal Cache a visit. It’s your lucky day because I’m here to teach you how to keep your bones – I mean, money – safe!

Did you know that in Irish folklore, a leprechaun fiercely protects its pot of gold at the end of a rainbow? (Now, I don’t know what a rainbow is because I can’t see in full color, but I hear it’s beautiful.) Leprechauns are cunning, making them and their gold hard to catch. Just like these master protectors, you need to keep your money safe with the same determination.

I conferred with our security specialists at Partners Bank (who are the Bank’s leprechauns in a way), and they’ve given me some ways to help you guard your pot of gold. Let’s dig into these financial security tips:

• Bury your treasure in a safe spot. (The underside of your mattress does not count, folks.) Leprechauns hide their gold in secret places, but smart humans secure their finances by putting their money in a safe, insured bank account. I used to hide my bones in the backyard until I opened a Partners Bank Checking Account, which is equipped with FDIC protection. Now, I use my Partners Bank Debit MasterCard® instead of cash.

• Keep your gold on a tight leash. Would a leprechaun spill the beans about the whereabouts of their pot of gold? Fur-get about it! The same goes for your finances. Keep your financial information private – including account details, passwords, and personal data. Even if someone offers you a treat (which I know is very difficult to resist), keep it a secret.

1. 1. 1. Use strong passwords and enable two-factor authentication on all banking accounts.
      2. Never share sensitive financial information over email or phone.
      3. Regularly check your statements for any suspicious activity and let the Partners Bank Customer Care Center know if you sniff anything fishy.
      4. My personal favorite: eat – I mean, shred – all paper statements with your personal and financial information.

• Watch out for sneaky humans (a.k.a. scammers). Humans are always trying to trick leprechauns into giving up their gold, and they’ll try to trick you too. Watch out for fraudsters who are trying to scam you through phishing emails, fake investment opportunities, and even by pretending to be other humans from Partners Bank.

1. 1. 1. Be cautious of emails, texts, or calls asking for personal or banking information.
      2. If you receive a suspicious message or email, don’t click on any links, reply, or fill out any forms. Inform Customer Care Center immediately of the attempted scam.
      3. Read and follow up on any fraud alerts from Partners Bank.

• Build an emergency stash. I always save some extra bones for a rainy day. You should do the same by having an emergency fund to cover unexpected expenses.

1. 1. 1. Save three to six months’ worth of expenses in a Partners Bank Savings Account.
      2. Avoid dipping into the account for non-emergencies (no matter how sweet the sound of that new squeaky toy – I mean, gadget – is).
      3. Automate your transfers to keep your emergency fund growing without even needing to think about it.

• Don’t spend your whole pot of gold. Leprechauns have fun on St. Patrick’s Day, but they don’t spend it all on green beer and treats. Set smart budgeting techniques while enjoying yourself.

1. 1. Track your spending through the Partners Bank Mobile App to stay on track with your budget.
   2. If you do splurge a little, balance it out by saving more the next month.

With so many tricksters and temptations out there, knowing how to protect your money is more important now than ever before. If you keep these leprechaun-inspired financial security tips in mind, your tail will be wagging for a long time. 

If you need help securing your finances, visit us at a local Partners Bank location. Our team would be happy to give you a helping paw.

Cache the Dog