Support Topics
Preventing Fraud
Popular Questions
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- Sign your cards immediately. Sign the signature panel on your credit and debit cards as soon as you receive them.
- Never carry or store your Personal Identification Number (“PIN”) and card together. If you can memorize your PIN, shred any documents containing the PIN.
- Verify your card. Be sure your card is returned following each purchase and verify that it is indeed your card.
- Wait for your card receipt. Never leave your credit card receipts at the checkout counter and always take your charge slips with you.
- Save your receipts. Check receipts against your online account statements or history. Report unauthorized transactions to your financial institution immediately. Once you have compared receipts to account statements, shred or destroy the receipts as soon as feasible.
- Check your statements and watch your charges. Sign in to Online Banking and view your e-statements to verify that they properly reflect the amount(s) you have authorized. Also, watch for multiple charges.
- Always keep your statements private and stored away in a safe place. Sign up for eStatements when possible. This minimizes potential theft or misplacement of hard-copy records, and automatically keep records stored safely in one place.
- Shred printed statements as soon as you’ve verified the information.
- Keep your card out of sight. Never leave your purse or wallet unattended and always keep your cards out of plain sight.
- Never lend your card. Your credit card is your responsibility, so don’t give your card to others. Also, periodically check to make sure you have all your cards.
- Keep a list of all your card account numbers, as well as telephone numbers to call if your cards are ever lost or stolen. Make sure they’re in a separate, secure place.
- Be cautious when giving out your card number over the phone. Never provide account information to anyone who called you.
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- Use ATMs with surveillance cameras. Unitus Community Credit Union ATMs are monitored by surveillance cameras.
- Be aware of strangers. If there are individuals in the area that make you uncomfortable, leave and use another ATM.
- Put away your card and cash. After completing your transaction, secure your card and cash immediately, before exiting the ATM area. Count your cash later, in the safety of your locked car or home.
- Treat your ATM card like cash. Always protect your card by keeping it in a safe place. If your card is lost or stolen, contact us immediately.
- Protect your privacy. Shield the ATM keypad with your hand or body while entering your PIN. Do not leave your transaction record at the ATM. Keep your transaction record in a safe place, so you can compare it to your statements later.
- Be cautious at drive-up ATMs. If you use a drive-up ATM, be sure your passenger windows are rolled up and your doors are locked.
- Be careful at night. Be aware of your surroundings, especially after dark. If you must use an ATM at night, consider taking a trusted person with you.
- Stay alert. If you notice anything suspicious or unsafe, such as non-working lights around the ATM, consider using another ATM or return when the situation is safe.
- Report suspicious behavior. Report all crimes immediately to law enforcement officials.
- Request emergency assistance and security. If you need emergency assistance, call 911 from the nearest telephone.
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- We suggest our members review their Unitus passwords to assure they are strong and are different from passwords used on other sites.
- It’s a good idea to change passwords on a regular basis. This may also be applied to any email accounts or other online accounts you have from other 3rd party service providers or companies. It’s suggested to check the 3rd party site’s security recommendations when setting up/changing your password.
- A helpful rule of thumb to use in creating strong passwords is to have at least 8 characters and use all 4 character groups: lower case letters, upper case letters, numbers and special characters.
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- Install anti-virus and anti-spyware on your home computer. There are many products available that will help prevent criminals from accessing your computer and stealing your personal information.
- Add a firewall to your computer system to prevent unauthorized users from gaining access to your system.
- Install all software fixes (sometimes called “service packs”) that are made available for your computer programs as soon as possible if the fix addresses a security weakness.
- Use a current web browser. Updated versions of web browsers are being deployed with your security in mind.
- Activate a pop-up blocking tool. Pop-ups are advertisements that “pop-up” in a separate browser window. If you open some of these “pop-ups”, you may be downloading “spyware” or “adware”.
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- Keep personal or account information in a safe place
- Provide information only to trusted sources and never to individuals where you did not initiate the contact, or have confirmed the business or person’s identity.
- Reduce the amount of mail sent to you that could be stolen from your mailbox or trash. Choose electronic statement options (Unitus offers this service through uOnline banking or by contacting a member service representative).
- Opt-out of pre-approved credit offers by calling 888.567.8688
- Frequently monitor your account statements and history online for unauthorized transactions
- Check your credit report for discrepancies on a regular basis. You can obtain a free credit report annually by visiting AnnualCreditReport.com.
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Today, many consumers own mobile devices and use them every day for calling and texting as well as shopping, online banking, accessing social media sites and browsing the internet. Some of these activities may put your device at risk. The following steps will help keep your device secure:
- Keep mobile device software up to date. This will ensure that your mobile device has the latest security protection.
- Create a password for your device. Create a strong password that is different from other passwords you may have for other sites, such as email, online banking, etc. Some devices provide the option to set up biometric access using your thumbprint in addition to a password.
- When considering whether to download an app, make sure it’s from a reputable source such as the App Store for Apple devices or Google Play for Android devices.
- Treat email and social media requests from strangers suspiciously. Social media sites are a favorite target for cyber thieves.
- Be a safe shopper. Always look for “https” in the URL when browsing or shopping online. This indicates an added level of security and should always appear before you provide any personal information.
- Be cautious about opening text messages if you’re uncertain of the source. The message may contain malicious software that could compromise your device. When in doubt, delete the text.
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