Identifying & Avoiding Scam Banking Phone Calls and Texts

Fraud Alerts – automated calls or texts sent by your banking institution, to alert you of possible fraud to your account – have become common in Online and Mobile Banking. It’s a quick and easy way to alert you of suspicious transactions made on your card and allows for an equally quick confirmation or denial of your recent banking activity. However, mobile fraud alerts have created a new opportunity for criminals to impersonate your credit union in order to obtain your personal information and gain access to your account.

This is why it is so important to be mindful of any alerts you receive, whether it be a phone call or text, from the Credit Union. 

How to safeguard yourself and your account when you receive a Fraud Alert:

• Confirm that you’ve signed up for Debit/Credit Fraud Alerts. You will only ever receive an automated fraud alert from the Credit Union if you have registered for Debit/Credit Fraud Alerts on your device. To enroll, log in to online banking. Under Profile and Settings, click Debit/Credit Fraud alerts in the left hand menu. Follow the next simple steps to register your device. You’ll receive an automated text which will ask you to confirm your enrollment.
• Verify that there is an issue. If you receive a call from the Credit Union, claiming that your account has been compromised, you can hang up and call back at our main phone number: 1-800-894-1200.  This is listed in our Contact Us section on our website. This will ensure you’re talking to the Credit Union and not a scammer.
• Never give your personal information to unsolicited callers. While the Credit Union does ask questions to verify that we are speaking to the member, a Contact Center Representative will NEVER ask for certain personal information.

  5 Questions the Credit Union Will Never Ask:

  1. “What is your username for Online Banking?”
  2. “Can you give us your pin number so we can reactivate your debit card?”
  3. “Can you verify your social security number with us?
  4. “We noticed unusual transactions on your card, can you confirm your ATM/debit card number with us?”
  5. “We need to change your password – Can you verify your current online banking password?”
• Be wary of website links and phone numbers sent via text. If you think the fraud text alert is real, always make sure the web address or phone number is one you’re familiar with and can be traced back to the Credit Union. You can check on our website. If you’re unsure, call us at 1-800-894-1200 or call the number on the back of your card to confirm the fraud alert with the Credit Union.

The safety and security of our member data is our number one priority, and we ask that you remain cautious whenever handling your personal information, either over phone, text or email.

If you think you’ve been the victim of a scam, please report it immediately by calling the Credit Union at 1-800-894-1200.