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Security

The security of your personal information is critically important to us. That’s why we have a robust security program and infrastructure, including a team of cybersecurity and risk management professionals, to help monitor and protect your personal information 24/7. We review each report of unauthorized access thoroughly, and file appropriate notices with law enforcement agencies. See Report Fraud or Suspicious Email for more information.

What We Do

We use a variety of controls to detect and prevent unauthorized access to our network and sensitive information. Our cybersecurity response program fulfills the requirements of federal and state laws and includes appropriate notifications to investors and advisors when warranted. Our security program also features safeguards for your account. To help keep your information safe, we:

  • Regularly refine and update security features. We review industry security standards and perform system testing on an ongoing basis to help identify and implement the most up-to-date techniques and technologies, and verify that our system is performing as expected.
  • Actively monitor threats. We communicate with financial industry security groups and government agencies to monitor the threat landscape for emerging and active threats.
  • Educate employees. American Funds associates receive ongoing security training, including how to handle sensitive data and be aware of security risks.
  • Challenge questionable website access. If we’re uncertain about a login attempt on your account, we’ll challenge the user to enter the last four digits of the SSN and answer a security question in addition to requiring their password.
  • Display last login information. The date and time of your most recent login will display in your account information.
  • Mask confidential information. You’ll see asterisks or similar symbols in place of your password. We’ll never mail your chosen password or answers to your security questions.
  • Enforce website timeouts. Your online session will automatically time out after 20 minutes of inactivity.
  • Use encryption to secure your data. We use industry-standard security protocols that leverage encryption to create a secure online environment.

How You Can Help

Security is a joint effort. Here are some steps you can take to help protect your sensitive information.

  1. Customize your password and do not share it. You are responsible for protecting your account information. Don’t share usernames, account numbers, passwords or answers to security questions; this information could be used to access your account inappropriately. Be wary of unsolicited requests for your personal information online, by email or by phone. Inquiries may seem innocent, but they could be part of a complex fraudulent scheme. American Funds will never ask for your password in an email.
    Create smart passwords and usernames. Make your password and username hard for others to guess by using a combination of letters, numbers and symbols that are meaningful only to you. Avoid using the same password and username for multiple websites, particularly financial websites, and be sure to change your password often.
    If you want to change your existing username or password, log in and click on My Profile.


  2. Keep your email address up to date. If you’ve set up online access to your account, sending you an email is the fastest way for us to inform you if a change to your personal information (Security Notification).

Be Observant

  • Think before you click. Be cautious about clicking on links, especially in emails, and be sure they link to a trusted website. Get in the habit of hovering your pointer over links to see the underlying Web address. If you’re unsure about a link, you can go to the firm’s website by typing the correct address in your Web browser.
  • Pay attention to time stamps. Look for the “last login” date/time stamp when you log in to this website and other sites that provide such a stamp. If the stamp doesn’t correspond to your most recent visit, follow up.
  • Sign up for a credit-reporting service. Stay on top of who’s requesting access to your information — and why.

Keep Your Computer Secure

  • Keep your operating system and software current. When possible, use the latest operating systems available for your computers and devices. Also, be diligent about responding to software updates to help ensure the highest level of security for your devices.
  • Activate security features. These include pop-up blockers and other features provided in the range of products you use.
  • Use antivirus software. Consider installing antivirus software designed to detect and remove malicious software (malware) from your computer. Keep your software up to date to help protect your computer from the latest viruses and malware.
  • Set up a firewall. Make sure your personal computer and home network are properly protected from malware. Check to see that the firewall has been properly installed — or enabled if it came bundled with your operating system.

Avoid Public Computers and Wi-Fi

  • Skip the use of public computers. Access financial and other sensitive personal information online using a known device, such as your personal computer, with the necessary protections and security features in place.
  • Be wireless-wise. Don’t use public Wi-Fi to access websites with sensitive information such as financial records, banking transactions, business-related documents or other personal information. When setting up your home network, follow the manufacturer’s security recommendations to be sure your wireless signal is properly encrypted.

Protect Physical Documents

  • Promptly retrieve and secure incoming postal mail after delivery. Place outgoing mail in a U.S. Postal Service mailbox instead of your home mailbox to reduce the chance of mail theft. Report all suspected mail theft to a Postal Inspector.
  • Protect your Social Security number. Store your Social Security card in a safe place, avoid giving the number to others and take measures to keep any other documents containing the number confidential.
  • Shared documents. Securely destroy credit card offers, bank statements, junk mail and any other documents that may reveal personal information about you.

Report Fraud or Suspicious Email

Fraud

  1. Contact us
    Call us at (877) 872-5159 immediately in the event of fraudulent activity. We’ll take the appropriate steps to monitor your American Funds accounts.

  2. Contact a consumer credit company
    We recommend that you place a fraud alert on your accounts by contacting one of the following three consumer credit companies: Please note: You only need to inform one consumer credit company since it’s required by law that they share your fraud alert request with the other two.

  3. Review your credit report
    Once you’ve requested a fraud alert, you’re entitled to free copies of your credit report. Review them for suspicious activity and inaccuracies. If you find unauthorized accounts or charges, take the appropriate steps to get them corrected.

Suspicious Email

We’ll never ask for your account information, including your password, via email. If you suspect that you’ve received a fraudulent email, please forward it to us at emailfraud@capgroup.com. Do not click on any links in the email.

If you’re uncomfortable forwarding suspicious email, you may also call us at (877) 872-5159. Please be sure to write down the title of the email you received, along with the sender’s name or address and the file names of any attachments.

Fraud Basics

Phishing

Phishing is the most widely known form of fraud. It typically involves someone sending an email that appears to be legitimate from a reputable source. It may contain real information, including a company logo and branding, or even personal information gleaned from your social networking site. These emails then urge you to take action — e.g., select a link, open an attachment or respond to a message.

There are two primary types of phishing: broad phishing, where the attacker casts a wide net and hopes to “hook” one or more victims, and spear phishing, where the attacker carefully researches their victims using publicly available information in order to make the message appear more legitimate. Phishing attempts typically:

  • Pretend to be from banks and other financial institutions, entities that process payments or individuals with an offer that’s “too good to be true”
  • Appear convincing due to copycat logos, fonts and other graphic elements
  • Include a link to an illegitimate webpage where you’ll be asked to enter your personal or account information

Phishing attacks may also occur over the phone.

Malware

Malware includes spyware, viruses and other types of malicious software that are installed on your computer, smartphone and other devices without your authorization. Malware typically collects information about you — the passwords you use, the websites you visit — simply by watching you type or surf the Web. Malware may also take over your computer for nefarious purposes such as sending email you didn’t write or spreading computer viruses.

Malware is typically installed through:

  • Malicious websites that attack computers with out-of-date operating systems or antivirus software
  • Links in pop-up ads
  • Shareware and other downloadable software
  • Deceptive security software offers

Computers with malware may:

  • Operate slowly
  • Be inundated by pop-ups
  • Redirect users to URLs different from those entered
  • Include unknown toolbars and icons
  • Display out-of-the-blue error messages

If you suspect your computer has been infected with malware, take the necessary steps to remove the unwanted software from your computer.

Identity Theft

Identity theft involves the impersonation of an individual through the fraudulent use of his or her personal and account information — e.g., driver’s license, Social Security number, bank account and other numbers, as well as usernames and passwords.

Identity thieves obtain information in a number of ways:

  • From the trash
  • By stealing mail, purses and other personal items
  • By copying credit card or other information during a transaction
  • Through phishing attacks
  • By submitting false address changes

More information on identify theft and protecting your identity can be found at these websites:

Learn More

Learn more about fraud and how you can spot it at OnGuardOnline.gov.