Choosing and Protecting Passwords


To protect yourself from rising fraud attempts, it is essential to regularly update your password. A single breach can lead to identity theft, resulting in financial loss, damage to credit scores, and significant emotional distress for the victim. At WestStar, you can easily change your password by logging into Online Banking, navigating to "Settings & Security," selecting "Security Preferences," and choosing "Change Password."


Password Requirements to Help You Protect Your Accounts:
  • Must be between 8 and 15 characters
  • Must contain a minimum of 1 number
  • Must contain a minimum of 1 lower case character
  • Must contain a minimum of 1 upper case character
  • Must contain a minimum of 1 special character
  • May not be the same as the last 10 passwords
  • May not be the same as the current password
Stay One Step Ahead of Fraudsters with These 5 Additional Tips:

1. Use Unique Passwords

To enhance security, avoid reusing passwords across different accounts. When you use the same password, the risk of a single breach compromising all your accounts increases significantly.

2. Make It Complex

Passwords like "HEEL4ZA7oZsl0wM" would be strong because they contain a mixture of upper- and lowercase letters, numbers, and special characters.

3. Keep It Long

Create passwords that are at least 12 characters long. This length makes it harder for unauthorized individuals to gain access to your accounts and keeps your personal information safer.

4. Avoid Common Words

Passwords like "password" or simple sequences such as "123456" are not secure. Opting for unique and complex passwords is vital to enhancing online security and protecting sensitive information.

5. Enable Multi-Factor Authentication (MFA)
Enable Multi-Factor Authentication (MFA) for your online accounts to add an extra layer of protection. MFA significantly reduces the risk of unauthorized access, even if your password is compromised.

If you are having trouble updating your password, call our Client Service Center at 915.532.1000 (El Paso) or 575.323.6040 (Las Cruces).