Fraud Prevention

Protect your identity

Identity theft occurs when someone uses your name, Social Security number or other personal information without your permission to commit fraud or other crimes in your name. Many online threats can lead to having your personal information stolen and used for fraudulent activities. There are several steps you can take to minimize the potential damage from identity theft.

Fraud Alert on Credit Reports

You can contact any one of the three nationwide credit reporting companies and ask them to place a fraud alert on your credit report. Any of the companies you call, must then call the other companies for you and have fraud alerts placed on their credit reports as well. The fraud alert stays on your credit report for at least 90 days. You can create an "Identity Theft Report", that can allow you to extend the length of time the alert stays on your credit report (See the section below titled: Identity Theft Report).

• Equifax: 1.800.525.6285
• Experian: 1.888.397.3742
• TransUnion: 1.800.680.7289
• Innovis: 1.800.540.2505

Review Credit Reports

After you have a fraud alert placed on your credit report, you are able to obtain one free copy of your credit report from each of the credit reporting bureaus. You should review the reports to make sure that all of your personal information is correct (name, address, SSN, accounts, etc...). If the report has accounts listed that you did not open or debts that are not yours, contact the credit reporting companies to report the fraudulent account and have them corrected. You may want to contact the security or fraud department for each of the companies listed in the credit report where an account was opened without your permission. You should ask the company to send you written proof that they have corrected or closed the fraudulent account. They should provide this information to you on company letterhead, if at all possible.

Identity Theft Report

You can have an Identity Theft Report created that will help you to handle problems with credit reporting companies, debt collectors and any business that allowed the fraudster to open up new accounts in your name. This report can help to get fraudulent information removed from your credit report permanently, prevent debt collectors from collecting on debts resulting from identity theft and extend the fraud alert on your credit report.

You must perform three steps to obtain an Identity Theft Report:

• Contact the FTC and file an identity theft complaint (FTC website or call toll-free 1.877.438.4338)
• Get a copy of the FTC affidavit that contains the details of your identity theft complaint.
• Take the completed FTC affidavit to your local police, or to the police station where the identity theft occurred, and file a police report. Make sure to get a copy of the police report or at least the police report number.

The FTC affidavit and the police report make up the full Identity Theft Report. You can then send copies of the Identity Theft Report to any of the companies you need to report the fraud too. You should ask them to remove or correct the fraudulent information on your accounts and send you written proof of the actions taken on the fraudulent accounts.

Identity Theft Resource Websites

• OnGuard Online
• FTC Identity Theft 

Use these tips to keep your information safe online

We live in a digital era. It seems that nearly everything we use in our lives is connected to the internet and has access to our personal information. Below are some steps and resources you can use to help make sure you are protecting yourself and your information from those that would try to steal and misuse your personal information.

Security Software

There are many groups and individuals that work daily to develop new ways to attack your computer and mobile devices and you need security software that is up to the task of combating these new and emerging threats. Via Credit Union does not recommend any specific security software solution, but there are plenty of free and pay solutions available. Below are some of the most important features to look for when picking your Security Software:

• Updates automatically and provides updates at least daily
• Full computer/device scanning
• Ability to setup scheduled scans
• Real-time monitoring and protection
• Detects and removes viruses, spyware, rootkits, bots, trojans, keyloggers, and other types of malware

Do not purchase security software from any type of pop up message or email, especially those that claim to have scanned and discovered malware or other bad programs on your computer. These are fraudulent messages that use scare tactics (referred to as Scareware) to try and get you to buy their "product". These types of programs will often simply do nothing, but they can also give the criminal your credit card information and direct access to break into your computer and install their own malicious programs.

Protect your Personal Information

Your Social Security number, credit card numbers, account numbers can be used to allow a criminal to impersonate you and steal your money or open new accounts in your name. You should think carefully every time you enter your personal information online, give information to someone over the phone or provide information through email. You should be absolutely certain that you trust the company and website you are providing this information too. Look closely at all aspects of the site and the website address you are on. There is malware out there that can perform man-in-the-middle attacks on what appears to be a legitimate website. If you ever feel nervous about entering data on a website (or App on your mobile device), you should stop and do more research to find out if what is being asked of you is legitimate or not.

Remember to always check to make sure you are on a secure site that uses encryption to protect any information you are providing. No matter what internet browser you are using, secure sites will always start with https. This means that the site is secure and encrypted.

Protect your Passwords

Avoid writing passwords down, but if you do write down your passwords, you should keep them in a secure, locked place that is out of plain site. If you store your passwords on your computer, you should avoid using any program to store those passwords that is not encrypted and password protected. You should never give out passwords over the phone, in text messages or through email.

You should use strong passwords. Here are some keys to a strong password:

• The longer the password the harder it will be for a criminal to try and crack. Using at least 10 characters makes it much harder for someone to be able to guess the password.
• You should use a mix of letters, numbers and special characters. You should try to pick something out of the ordinary. Never use your name, birth date, common words/passwords like: pass, password, or 123456. Here is an example of a strong password: iCanB$ecure2.

Mobile Device Security

When it comes to protecting your mobile devices, here are some key security tips:

• Password protect your phone - this could be a password, pin, or even a complex swipe pattern (offered on some mobile devices)
• Stay off public wi-fi networks - this goes for any mobile device (phones, tablets, laptops, etc...)
• Be careful of the apps you download - be sure to read the "fine print" on Apps you download, especially what you are giving the app access to on your mobile device. There are many apps available for download that are malicious in nature.
• Keep up with updates - mobile operating system and app updates often provide enhancements or patches to the security of the program.
• Log off when you are done - Many apps, like our ViaMobile app, will automatically log you off after a period of time, but you should always make it a habit to manually log out whenever you are done using an app. By staying logged in, you could leave yourself vulnerable if your phone is lost or stolen.

Computer Security Information Websites

• OnGuard Online
• Department of Homeland Security 

Scams and Fraud

Avoid financial scams, recognize fraud and protect yourself against identity theft with the CFPB's free tools and resources.

view resources

Gift Card Scams

There has been a recent rise in gift card scams according to the Federal Trade Commission (FTC). Someone might ask you to pay for something by putting money on a gift card, like a Google Play or iTunes card, and then giving them the numbers on the back of the card. If they ask you to do this, they’re trying to scam you. No real business or government agency will ever insist you pay them with a gift card. Anyone who demands to be paid with a gift card is a scammer.  Don’t be a victim, learn more about the scam and how to avoid it!

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Protecting Yourself from Scams

Here are some steps you can take to help protect yourself from becoming the victim of a scam, including a scam related to the coronavirus pandemic:

• Don't click on suspicious or unfamiliar links in emails, text messages, social media feeds and instant messaging services.
• Don't answer a phone call if you don't recognize the phone number — let it go to voicemail and check later to verify the caller.
• If you are unsure the message is legit, contact the company using a phone number or website you know is correct.  Never use contact information from suspicious message.
• Never download email attachments unless you can verify that the sender is legitimate.
• Keep device and security software up-to-date.
• Maintain strong passwords and use multi-factor authentication whenever possible.
• Never share personal or financial information via email, text message, or over the phone.
• Do not give into pressure that caller may be pushing to take immediate action.

If you receive a fraudulent email, text or phone call, report it to the appropriate government agency such as the Federal Trade Commission or Internal Revenue Service and your local police department.