Downloading Mobile Apps: Do's & Don'ts

In December’s Board Brief we shared with you a released from NSYTRS regarding a fraudulent mobile app claiming the "NYS Retirement" App was available on Google Play. That App was a fraud.

Why would Google or Apple allow fraudulent Apps on their App stores? The quick answer; they try not to. They make every effort to detect such Apps before they are made available. As much as they try, bad actors get through. Once an App is discovered, they get removed.

Here are some things to consider and be aware of regarding downloading Apps. When you go to either Google Play or Apple’s App Store, you can search for an App and enter the name of the app. You must be diligent. Sometimes when you search for an App, you get many options that approximate your search request but not the mobile app you want.

There are many reasons for this including commercial considerations, popularity and other criteria.

What to do?

• You should make sure the icon image of the App you are seeking to download matches the image of the App.

• If you are concerned about downloading an App that is not heavily used, the safest method is to go to the website of the company offering the App. From there, they will have a link to either the App Store or Google Play. The link will take you right to the App in question.

• When considering an app to download, look at how many downloads there have been. If there is a low number of downloads, you should be cautious, very cautious. If you know the app well (from friends who have used it, for example) then you may be ok.

Free apps usually carry a heavy load of advertising. If you are ok with that, they can be fine. Free apps also can be a source of data mining that they will use to sell to others.

Our Advice
Be diligent and cautious when using digital tools. They are important, necessary, and useful in our everyday activities. As always, whatever your financial need, we’re here to help.