Mobile banking

security tips

You benefit from the same security and accessibility standards whether you’re using our website for online banking or our mobile app for mobile banking on your smartphone or tablet. Beyond offering 256-bit encryption1, our app uses several strategies to verify your identity, and automatically times-out after a period of inactivity.

Here’s what you can do to help keep your money safe.  

Lost or stolen device? Act quickly!

  • Call your wireless carrier immediately
  • Erase the data on your smartphone or tablet; most devices let you locate the device, lock it from a distance, wipe its contents and post a message on its screen to help people return it to you – ask your wireless carrier if yours does
  • Log-in and change your password
  • Call us at 1-877-765-2265 so we can monitor your accounts for fraudulent activity

Click with care and skip the spam

  • Download our mobile app directly from the App Store or Google Play
  • Download other apps only if you know and trust the app’s creator; Manulife Bank will never send you a text message that includes a link and encourages you to download an app update or other promotion
  • Never respond to pop-ups, emails or text messages asking for information about your bank accounts; Manulife Bank will not send you unsolicited emails or text messages asking for your personal or banking information

Send money using Interac e-Transfer® securely

  • Double check your recipient’s email or phone number to make sure you’re sending the transfer to the right place.
  • Always use a strong security answer that can’t be guessed or found easily, and don’t put a hint for the answer in the optional message field.
  • Only share the answer with your recipient through a safe channel – preferably call or tell them directly.
  • Avoid sending money using Interac e-Transfer over free or open Wi-Fi networks, or using a shared computer.

Be cautious on public Wi-Fi

  • Avoid logging in to a website or app on a public Wi-Fi hotspot; these networks are often not secure, so other people may be able to access the information you send across them
  • Make sure your device is not set up to automatically connect to nearby Wi-Fi and choose a cellular data connection over public Wi-Fi wherever possible – but if you must log in on public Wi-Fi:
  • Confirm that the Wi-Fi network is valid and secure with someone who works at the location before you connect
  • Confirm websites or apps you use fully encrypt information from the moment you log in to the moment you log out
  • Look for the lock symbol on the website or “https” in front of website addresses – it’s more secure than standard “http”
  • Log out as soon as you finish using the website or app and delete your browser history
  • Use unique passwords for different websites and enable the feature to lock your device after a period of inactivity
  • Pay attention to warnings from your web browser about fraudulent websites and malware
  • Keep your web browser and security software up to date and install anti-theft technology on your mobile device
  • Use a virtual private network (VPN) to access accounts on public Wi-Fi; available from VPN service providers, virtual private networks encrypt traffic even on networks that are not secure

Help stay safer with some simple strategies

  • Lock your device with a passcode; find instructions in your device’s user guide on your wireless carrier’s website
  • Install mobile anti-virus software or anti-malware if available for your device
  • Regularly review your account statements and transaction history