Security and Protection

The following are examples of phishing requests purporting to be from your financial institution:                                                                              

“Your account has been temporarily suspended because of a security breach at our credit union.  Please provide your information to our security department to reactivate your account.”

“Your credit card was suspended. Our customer service department needs your information to reinstate your card.”

You receive a phone call: “Your loan is delinquent.  Payment is needed immediately!”

Or, "You can receive a reduced interest rate on your loan.  We need to confirm your information.”

This type of solicitation requesting personal or financial information is a potentially costly and devastating crime that can impact you.  Fortunately, losses can often be prevented through awareness combined with sensible everyday practices. 

Tips for protecting yourself:

• Use anti-virus and anti-spyware software, as well as a firewall, and update them all regularly.
• Never respond directly to emails, text messages or telephone calls asking for personal or financial information.
• Don't reply to email or pop-up messages that asks for personal or financial information.
• Don’t click on links in emails or pop up messages requesting personal or financial information.
• If you believe the email is legitimate go directly to the credit union’s or company’s website instead of clicking on the link provided in the email.
• Regardless of the source, be cautious about opening any attachment or downloading any files from emails you receive.
• Do not open an attachment to an unsolicited email unless you have verified the source.
• If you are concerned about your account, contact the credit union using a phone number you know to be genuine, or open a new Internet browser session and type in the company's correct Web address yourself.
• Do not be intimidated by threatening emails or a caller who suggests dire consequences if you do not immediately provide or verify information.
• Review your account statements as soon as you receive them to check for unauthorized activity.
• Forward spam that is phishing for information tospam@uce.gov and to the company, credit union, or organization impersonated in the phishing email.
• Report phishing email to reportphishing@antiphishing.org. The Anti-Phishing Working Group, a consortium of ISPs, security vendors, financial institutions and law enforcement agencies, uses these reports to fight phishing.
• If you've been scammed, visit the Federal Trade Commission's Identity Theft website.