The right alerts can help you catch fraud, low balances, large purchases, and account changes sooner.
Low Balance Alerts
A low balance alert can warn you before the account gets too close to zero.
Choose an amount that gives you enough time to act before bills or card purchases hit. For one person that may be $50. For another it may be $300.
The best number depends on your usual bills and how much money moves through the account.
Large Purchase Alerts
Many banks let you get a message when a card purchase is above a set amount.
This can be useful for catching a purchase you did not make. It can also remind you when a large bill or annual charge hits.
Set the limit low enough to be useful but high enough that you do not ignore the alerts.
ATM Withdrawal Alerts
Cash withdrawals can be hard to reverse once the money leaves the account.
An alert can tell you when a debit card is used at an ATM. If the withdrawal is not yours, lock the card and contact the bank.
This is especially helpful for people who rarely take out cash.
Online Transfer Alerts
Bank transfers can move money from checking or savings to another account.
Turn on alerts for new payees, person-to-person transfers, wire transfers, or large bank-to-bank transfers when your bank offers them.
These alerts can be more important than purchase alerts because transfers may move larger amounts.
New Device or Login Alerts
Some banks send a message when a new phone, computer, or browser signs in.
If you just bought a new phone, the alert makes sense. If you did not sign in, change the password and contact the bank.
Do not approve a login request you did not start.
Password and Contact Change Alerts
A thief who gets into an account may try to change the email address, phone number, or password.
Alerts for profile changes can give you an early warning. Treat an unexpected change as urgent.
Open the bank app directly and check your profile. Do not use links inside a message you do not trust.
Deposit Alerts
A deposit alert can tell you when direct deposit, a transfer, or a check is added to the account.
This can help with budgeting. It can also show when an expected payment has not arrived.
If a regular deposit is missing, check the normal payment date before assuming there is a bank problem.
Bill Payment Alerts
Some banks can tell you when an automatic payment is coming up or when a bill payment is sent.
These reminders can help you keep enough money in the account. They may also help you notice a bill you thought was canceled.
Review recurring payments at least a few times each year.
Card-Not-Present Alerts
Online purchases often happen without the physical card being used.
If your bank offers alerts for online or phone purchases, consider turning them on. These transactions can be easier for a thief to attempt if card details have been stolen.
A fast alert can help you lock the card before more charges appear.
Credit and Debit Card Decline Alerts
A decline alert can show when someone tries to use your card and the payment does not go through.
That can be useful even though no money left the account. A failed attempt may be the first sign that someone has your card number.
If the purchase was not yours, lock the card and contact the bank. Do not wait for a successful charge to appear.
Check Deposit and Check Alerts
If you write paper checks, some banks can alert you when a check clears.
This makes it easier to notice a check number or amount that does not match your records. Mobile deposit alerts can also confirm when a check you deposited is accepted or needs attention.
People who rarely use checks may not need these alerts. Choose them based on how you actually use the account.
Set Alerts in More Than One Place
A bank may offer text messages, email, and push notifications.
If one method is easy to miss, use another for the most important alerts. For example, you might use push notifications for purchases and email for profile changes.
Keep your phone number and email address current. An alert cannot help if it is being sent to an old account you no longer check.
Choose Alerts You Will Actually Read
Too many alerts can become noise.
Start with the ones tied to money leaving the account or someone changing access: large purchases, ATM withdrawals, transfers, new logins, and profile changes.
Then add budgeting alerts, such as low balance or deposit notices. A smaller set of useful alerts is better than dozens of messages you stop reading.
