Fraud

Prevention

If you receive a call claiming to be from a fraud department and you're unsure if it's legitimate, hang up and call the number on the back of your debit or credit card, or contact the credit union immediately at 507-387-3055.

Fraud and scams can happen at any time and being prepared is the best way to prevent them. Know what to look for to stay protected.

Contact us immediately if you think someone is trying to scam you or if you are a victim of fraud. Realizing that you have fallen victim to a scam can be overwhelming. Have peace of mind knowing we're here to help. It’s important to take action immediately to prevent more fraud. Get in the habit of checking your online banking account activity on a routine basis.

SIGNS OF A POSSIBLE SCAM:

  • They ask for your full card number, expiration date, CVV, PIN, password, and/or MFA code
  • They pressure you to act immediately
  • They ask you to transfer money or move funds to "protect" your account
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Additional Fraud Prevention Resources(opens in new tab)

CONTACT

LOCATIONS

PHONE

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What Not To Do & Red Flags

 

Do Not:

  • Ever share your account information with anyone.
  • Believe called ID. Scammers make it look like they are calling from an official number. It's called "spoofing."
  • Assume a website is safe because it shows it's protected and secure.
  • Click on any links, especially in an unsolicited email.

Red Flags:

  • Huge discounts on items are a sign that it could be a scam.
  • Be cautious of urgent calls to action. Scammers want you to act immediately to avoid a supposed penalty.
  • Being offered an unsolicited prize or debt relief, but you have to pre-pay to get it.
  • Spelling errors or bad grammar are common in scam emails.

Be Vigilant:

  • Look at the email address of the sender. Does it look like a business email?
  • If something feels odd, rushed, or too good to be true — it's worth pausing to think things through. Trust your gut.
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Password Guidelines

  • Do not reuse passwords. If one account gets hacked and you have used that password for other accounts, they are easier to get hacked as well.
  • Create passwords that are lengthy and complex using uppercase letters, numbers and symbols.
  • Change passwords often.
  • Consider purposely spelling a word wrong within your password.
    • Examples: Dayzee or D@1zy instead of Daisy
  • Do not use personal information or yours or loved ones birth dates in your passwords. As much as possible, don't use words that can be found in the dictionary.
  • Use a password (gate-keeper) storing app on your smart phone to store passwords within an account that requires one Master Password.
  • If you receive a password reset email that you did not request, do not click it.

Report Fraud to the FTC

If you’ve been scammed or think you’ve encountered fraud online
The Federal Trade Commission collects reports about fraud so they can track trends and help stop scammers. If you’ve experienced a scam, attempted scam, or suspicious activity, use the link below to report it directly to the FTC.
Report fraud: https://reportfraud.ftc.gov/

Identity Theft Help & Recovery

Get step-by-step support if your identity has been stolen
IdentityTheft.gov is the official U.S. government site that walks you through what to do if your personal information has been compromised. You can create a recovery plan, report the identity theft, and get personalized checklists to protect your credit and accounts.
Start your recovery plan: https://www.identitytheft.gov/

 

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Popular scams to look out for:

Gift card scams

Gift card scams are the perfect scam because they are untraceable and leave no way to recover lost funds. Gift cards are one of the most popular payment method for scams. About 1 in 3 people who report fraud to the Federal Trade Commission (FTC), say that a gift card was involved. Always be cautious when someone asks you to purchase gift cards.

Charity scams

Scammers like to tug on heart strings by using donations as a scam. Charity scams can take place online or over the phone. Scammers trick people into making a donation or thanking them for a donation they never made and asking for a payment. Be sure to research the charity before you donate to make sure it is reputable. Never give money by gift card, cryptocurrency or wire transfer.

Package delivery scams

Be aware of a scam call, email or text notification with tracking information or information on a package that you didn’t order. These texts will look like they are from a legitimate business or mail carrier and include a fake link. The link will lead you to a website that will compromise your personal information.

Fake gift exchanges

Gift exchanges are a fun way to celebrate the holidays, but beware if you see one pop up on social media. You should know that social media gift exchanges are probably a scam. Not only will you likely not receive gifts in return, but scammers will use your personal information you provided to put you on other scam lists or commit identity theft.

Temporary job scams

Many retailers hire seasonal workers to help with increased demand. Scammers use job postings to ask applicants for job supplies, personal information or application and hiring fees. They will likely promise high wages for simple tasks. Be reminded that if you think something sounds too good to be true, it probably is. Apply in-person or directly on a business’s website to verify that it is legitimate. Do not click on any links to bring you to a job application.