Fraud Prevention
1. General precautions
- Carry only necessities on a daily basis. Items like a Social Security card should be stored safely at home.
- Do not provide your complete Social Security number unless absolutely necessary. When an entire Social Security number is requested to sign up for a service, confirm that it is actually needed rather than some other identifier.
- Make photocopies of vital information you carry on a regular basis and store them in a secure place.
- Limit the use of paper statements. A paperless environment helps reduce the chance of identity theft. When you sign up for free online account access with SchoolsFirst FCU Online Banking, you can take advantage of free Online e-statements and free Bill Payment . The fewer personal documents sent through the mail, the less chance there is for possible fraud.
- Shred documents containing personal or financial information before discarding. Most fraud and identity theft incidences happen as a result of mail and garbage theft.
- Review your credit report. Look over your credit report regularly – at least once a year – for any inaccuracies. For a small fee you can obtain a copy at any time from one of the three major credit bureaus:
- Limit the credit offers you receive. If you would like to reduce the number of credit offers you receive and the information companies share about you, contact the National Consumer Credit Reporting Agencies at 1-888-5-OPTOUT (1-888-567-8688).
- Remove your name from marketing lists. The Direct Marketing Association (DMA) is responsible for notifying its members that they must remove your name from the lists they sell. The members include the agencies and companies that compile mailing and telemarketing lists. Your name and address remain in the DMA’s consumer exclusion files for five years. Contact the DMA at www.dmaconsumers.org.
2. Email and online security
- Be wary of suspicious emails. An email requesting your account information and password should be scrutinized carefully, particularly if the information is needed to “award a prize” or “verify a statement.” Avoid opening any questionable emails. If you have opened an email, do not open any attachments or links it may contain, and delete it. Any email sent from your credit union will be personalized with your name in the body of the email. Fraudulent email scams almost always address their emails to “customer or member or client”. Please notify us immediately if you receive a suspect email claiming to come from SchoolsFirst FCU.
- Check up on the latest email fraud activity. SchoolsFirst FCU maintains and regularly updates a list of some of the most recent fraud incidents we are investigating.
- Protect your passwords. Memorize your passwords. Do not write them down or share them with anyone. Change them regularly and use combinations of letters and numbers. Do not use your Social Security number as a username or password.
- Keep your computer and online experience safe. Read our Online Security Tips to find out about installing a firewall, anti-virus software, and a pop-up blocker, which can help keep your computer and personal information secure when you conduct online transactions.
3. Credit card and bank account security
- Report lost or stolen cards and checks immediately.
- Review account statements carefully. Make a habit of thoroughly reviewing your latest account statements. This is one of the best ways to notice and stop fraudulent activity quickly. If you sign up for SchoolsFirst FCU Online Banking you can monitor your account any time and as frequently as you like.
- Ask about suspicious charges. Do not hesitate to contact SchoolsFirst FCU or the appropriate credit card issuer if you see questionable charges. Contact our Telephone Service Center at (800) 462-8328. Representatives are available Monday through Friday from 7a.m. to 7p.m. and on Saturday from 9a.m. to 3p.m.
- Cancel and cut up unused credit cards. If you have an open account that you no longer use call the creditor to cancel it and cut up the card before throwing it out (the same is true for unused or expired cards of all types.
- Keep your ATM password secure. Do not use obvious or easily obtainable information (like your birth date) for your password. Avoid writing it down and never share your password.
- Be aware of your surroundings and exercise caution when using an ATM. Using common sense will make your transactions safer. Follow these detailed ATM Safety Tips.
- Limit personal information on checks. Do not have excess personal information like your driver’s license number or Social Security number printed on your checks.
- Use tamper-resistant checks. SchoolsFirst FCU checks include many safety features such as tamper-resistant packaging and chemically sensitive paper to deter alterations.
4. Phone and mail precautions
- Be aware of telephone scams. Unless you initiated the contact, do not give out personal information over the telephone. SchoolsFirst FCU will never make an unsolicited telephone request for your account information, password, or other sensitive data.
- Promptly retrieve incoming mail. Collect your mail as soon as possible every day to limit the opportunity for theft.
- Do not place outgoing mail in your mailbox. Deposit mail in a U.S. Postal Service mail box or at the post office to reduce the chance of mail theft.
- Know your billing and statement cycles. Contact the company’s customer service department if you stop receiving your regular bill or statement.
