Security and Fraud | CFCU Community Credit Union
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CFCU Credit Union

Routing #: 221381540

Security and Fraud

Keep Your Information Secure:

  • Do not click on or open suspicious links or attachments in email or texts.
  • Do not respond to unsolicited emails, texts, or phone calls.
  • If requested, never share your banking details or other personal information with unknown persons or by email, text, or phone. This includes your digital banking password, passcodes, and PINs.

CFCU WILL NEVER:

  • Ask you for your digital banking password, card PIN, or 3-digit number (CVV) on the back of your card.
  • Unless you initiate contact or we are completing a request for you, CFCU will never ask you for your personal information. 

If you receive unusual requests, do not provide any information and please contact us directly.

CFCU Fraud Department:

CFCU’s Fraud Department may contact you to confirm suspected fraudulent transactions or activity. This contact may be by phone, text, or email. However, please note that the Fraud Department will never ask for or request any of the following:

  • Your entire card number, PIN, or 3-digit number (CVV) on the back of your card.
  • Your digital banking password and USER ID.
  • Your passcode.
  • Require you to send money or buy gift cards to protect your account.
  • Click a link to confirm transactions – note that legitimate texts from CFCU, only ask for a Yes or No response.
  • To falsely confirm that transactions are not fraudulent, when they were not actually authorized by you.

If you have any concerns, please contact us directly.

Safeguard against fraud and scams

It is important to be on the lookout for fraudulent and scam activity to protect yourself from falling victim.


Tips to help you avoid fraud and scams:

  • Block unwanted calls and text messages.
  • Do NOT give your personal or financial information in response to a request you didn’t expect.
  • Resist the pressure to act immediately. Anyone who is pressuring you is likely a scammer.
  • Never pay someone with gift cards or using a money transfer service. Never deposit a check and send money back to someone. These are common ways that scammers tell you to pay.
  • Be wary of someone you met online that is asking you to send them money or is asking you to receive money for them. Scammers make up situations to deceive their victims. Don’t fall for it. If it doesn’t make sense, then it is most likely a scam.
  • Stop and talk to someone you trust. Talking about it could help you realize it’s a scam.

 

Please contact us or the resources listed below if you need assistance or are worried about a scam or fraud.

10 Tips for Debit and Credit Card Fraud Prevention

Debit and credit card fraud pose a significant threat to your financial security. With the rise of digital transactions and online shopping, it's more important than ever to protect your payment cards from falling into the wrong hands. In this article, we will provide you with essential tips and strategies to safeguard your financial assets against debit and credit card fraud.

  1. Protect Your Cards
    • Keep your cards in a secure wallet or purse within a Radio Frequency Identification (RFID) blocking sleeve to prevent theft.
    • Use the CFCU More app to instantly freeze your debit card when you’re not using it and unfreeze to use it.
    • Memorize your PIN: Avoid writing down your Personal Identification Number (PIN) and ensure it's not easily guessable (e.g., avoid using birthdays or simple sequences).
    • Use the CFCU More app to periodically change your PIN.
  2. Be Cautious with Your Card Information
    • Never disclose your card information to anyone over the phone or online unless you initiated the transaction or know the recipient is a trusted entity.
    • Be especially wary of unsolicited requests for your card details, even if they claim to be from CFCU or a reputable organization.
  3. Use Secure ATMs and Point-of-Sale (POS) Terminals
    • Inspect the card reader: Check for any suspicious attachments or devices on the card reader, which could be a sign of card skimming.
    • Cover your PIN: Shield your PIN when entering it to prevent onlookers or hidden cameras from recording it.
    • If not requesting cash back at a POS terminal, select non-PIN/credit transactions rather than entering your PIN.
    • Use ATMs in well-lit, secure locations: Choose ATMs in busy areas, such as bank branches, and avoid secluded or poorly lit locations.
    • If an item ever falls out of a card reader, immediate notification to the governing financial institution should be made.
  4. Employ Strong Online Security Measures
    • Use secure websites: Look for "https://" and a padlock icon in the browser address bar to ensure a website is secure.
    • Avoid public Wi-Fi: Refrain from making sensitive transactions while on public Wi-Fi networks, as they may not be secure.
    • Use strong, unique passwords: Create complex passwords and consider using a password manager to keep track of them.
    • Enable two-factor authentication (2FA): Whenever possible, use 2FA to add an extra layer of security to your online accounts.
  5. Regularly Review Your Account in the CFCU Digital Banking app to verify transactions. Report discrepancies to CFCU.
  6. Set Up Transaction Alerts in CFCU Digital Banking so you are notified through email or text message when transactions occur on your account.
  7. Keep Your Contact Information Updated including your email and phone number. This ensures we can reach you quickly in case of suspicious activity.
  8. Secure Your Mail by collecting mail promptly and consider using a locked mailbox to prevent thieves from intercepting sensitive information.
  9. Shred Sensitive Documents like financial statements and receipts, before disposing of them to prevent dumpster diving fraud.
  10. Be Skeptical of Unsolicited Communications such as unsolicited phone calls, emails, or messages that request your card information. Fraudsters often use social engineering tactics to trick individuals into giving up sensitive data.

Protecting your debit and credit cards from fraud requires vigilance and a proactive approach. By implementing these strategies, you can significantly reduce the risk of falling victim to card fraud and safeguard your financial assets. Remember that quick action is crucial if you suspect any fraudulent activity, so stay informed and act promptly to minimize potential damage to your finances.

Identity theft - What to know and do

Online Shopping Scams

Below are reminders to stay safe while shopping online:

  • Beware of ads on websites and social media. Only shop from trusted retailer sites. Go directly to the retailer’s site instead of using links in the ad.
  • Are prices too good to be true? Then they probably are! If the prices is way below the typical price, it is probably fraudulent, and you will most likely not get what you intended.
  • Out of stock items. Be ware of online retails or ads claiming to have items that are out of stock everywhere else – this also may be too good to be true!
  • Look for secure checkout. Before entering payment information, look for the secure icon – usually found next to the site address at the top of the browser.

Mail and Check Fraud

Mail theft continues to be on the rise across the country and even locally. Thieves are stealing mail from mailboxes hoping to find checks that they then alter or ‘wash’ in order to change the payee and amount. These checks are then negotiated or cashed by the thief. The following are tips to lower your risk of mail theft and check fraud:

  • Take Care When Making Out Checks - When making out checks, write the amount so that the words fill the line and numbers fill the box and start on the far-right side of line and box, which can make it more difficult for someone to alter it. Also, consider using a black pen with gel ink which may be more difficult to remove or ‘wash’ than ballpoint pen ink.
  • Use Caution with Outgoing Mail - Place your outgoing mail in USPS collection boxes as close to the indicated pickup time as possible or bring it inside the post office for mailing.
  • Retrieve Mail Frequently - Try not to leave incoming or outgoing mail sitting in your mailbox for an extended time, particularly overnight.
  • Overdue Mail - Inquire about overdue mail as soon as possible with either the sender or recipient.
  • Use Electronic Payment Methods - Consider paying bills online where possible to reduce the number or frequency of your checks being in the mail.
  • Monitor Your Accounts - Review your accounts frequently and immediately notify CFCU of any unknown transactions or checks that clear for a different amount than written.
  • Report Mail Theft - If you suspect mail theft, report it to the United States Postal Inspection Service at 1-877-876-2455.

Spoofing Scams

Phone scammers often disguise their identity by using illegal spoofing techniques to send false information to your caller ID display. To trick you into answering, spoofers may use local area codes and numbers that look familiar. Or they may impersonate a company or financial institution you do business with.

But is the call coming from where you think it is? Scammers are good at pretending to be someone they’re not and they are hoping that the spoofed number will make it seem more real. BUT don’t fall for it. Here’s what you can do to hang up on spoofing:

  • Don’t answer calls from unknown numbers.
  • If you answer and it’s not who you expected, hang up.
  • Never assume an unexpected call is legitimate. Hang up and call back using a number you can verify on a bill, statement, or official website.
  • Don’t give out personal information.
  • Use extreme caution if you are being pressured for immediate payment.
  • Ask your phone provider about call blocking tools or services.

Resources