As the demand for vacation rentals rises, there is also an increase in vacation rental scams. Follow the tips below to help detect and avoid vacation rental scammers.
Unfortunately, in times of crisis, scammers may attempt to take advantage of you. SEFCU will never ask you for any confidential information via non-secure email. If you receive an email from SEFCU and are unsure of its legitimacy, contact us immediately. SEFCU has not and will not be sending any communications on behalf of the CDC or WHO requesting information or to download potentially harmful applications. Beware of phone calls and/or emails claiming they are from these organizations. If you are in doubt about who has contacted you, do not provide any requested information.
Beware of fraudulent text messages saying they are from [email protected] stating that “suspicious activity” was detected on their card. These messages are followed by a case number. Messages have also been received from Burns & McDonnell Credit Union.
ATMs offer us convenient, easy access to cash especially during hours when banks and credits unions are closed; but it’s important to keep personal safety a priority when using them. Follow these tips to protect yourself and your card information while using ATMs.
Most smartphones and many landline phones are equipped with Caller ID. Unfortunately, scammers can now manipulate caller ID functionality to spoof calls. When a call is spoofed, a specific phone number will appear, even though the caller may be calling from a completely different number. For example, a call showing up as the IRS on your Caller ID, may be a scammer calling with the intent of fraudulently gaining personal information from you. But there are steps you can take to protect yourself.
Keeping your accounts secure is SEFCU’s top priority, but there are also steps you can take to keep your information safe.
Remember, SEFCU will never contact and ask you to provide:
With just a few days left in the holiday shopping season, many people turn to online shopping to check off the remaining items on their shopping lists. Learn how to protect yourself from fraud with these helpful tips:
As we rely more and more on our on mobile devices for business and personal use, maintaining strong security protocols should be a top priority. It’s important to understand the two main types of mobile security – physical and data – and how you can protect your devices and your data.
Physical Threats
From time to time you probably receive phone calls from someone you don’t know, but what happens if the caller tells you your Social Security Number (SSN) has been suspended and asks you to provide confidential information to reactivate it? The Federal Trade Commission has received reports about scammers trying to trick people into providing their confidential information by calling and saying their Social Security Number has been suspended. The problem? Social Security Numbers don’t get suspended.
Is the fraud monitoring service 24 hours a day, or only during a certain time?
Calls and texts are only made during certain hours so cardholders aren't disrupted late in the evening or early in the morning. Texts will be sent from 7 a.m. to 10 p.m. in the cardholder's time zone. Calls will be made from 8 a.m. to 9 p.m. in the cardholder's time zone. Emails will be sent 24 hours a day. Texts and voice calls pending from the night before will be triggered the following business day at the applicable time noted above. Agents are available for assistance 24/7.
What is Mastercard® SecureCode™?
Mastercard SecureCode is a service to enhance your existing Mastercard account. A private code means added protection against unauthorized use of your card when you shop at participating online retailers. All SEFCU credit and debit cards are automatically enrolled in SecureCode.
How does Mastercard SecureCode protect me?
The safety and security of members' information is the number one priority at SEFCU. To ensure that your account remains secure, SEFCU offers a number of ways to help reduce the possibility of fraud.
Fraud Monitoring
In cases where fraudulent credit or debit card use is suspected, SEFCU will notify members who have provided their mobile phone via text message. The message will ask members to reply “yes” or “no” to confirm if the purchase is legitimate and the text should be considered valid - not a phishing attempt.
With security being among SEFCU's top priorities, we have many features in place to protect your account. Feel confident knowing we keep your information secure on both the computer and on your mobile device.
SEFCU OnLine Security
Learn about the security features in place to keep your account information safe.
Mobile Security
Whether at home or on the go, you'll have peace of mind knowing our security measures go with you.
You lock the front door to prevent a home robbery, but are you safe from online thieves? Get the information you need to protect yourself when on the Web.
Nowadays we rely on computers for many aspects of our lives. The Internet provides convenient access to shopping, social networking, financial accounts, and much more. Knowing how the personal information you enter is being used and where it is being stored can aid in building awareness to the risks you may be exposed to.
The best way to protect yourself from online fraud is to stay educated. Know how to recognize a scam and avoid becoming a victim.
Phishing
If you can access the web or check email from your mobile device, you could be at risk.
Smartphone owners are more susceptible to identity theft. Many smartphone owners do not password protect their device, which can store sensitive data such as financial account information. It is also common to connect to public Wi-Fi networks when on the go with your smartphone. Hackers often use or even set up these networks in order to gain access to your device. Use these tips to protect your mobile device:
Banking with your mobile device has never been safer or easier.
Mobile banking uses the same security protocols as home banking. SSL encryption provides a secure channel for data transmission. Users are authenticated by utilizing device registration, username, and password or fingerprint.
Keep your computer(s) safe by having up-to-date anti-virus and malware protection as well as installing a secure firewall. By configuring your computer to automatically check and install security updates, you'll have peace of mind knowing your computer is safe from harm.
Protect your information by:
What is Spyware?
Spyware is a type of tracking software installed on your computer that gathers information about your browsing habits, such as websites you visit and how much time you spend there. Most spyware is installed without the user being aware. It can happen while downloading programs from the Internet or installing new software. Spyware may record private information such as usernames and passwords, or account and credit card numbers.
Signs Your Computer May be Infected with Spyware:
Monitor your SEFCU accounts daily with online banking in order to spot any unauthorized activity as soon as it occurs. The more frequently you check your account transactions, the faster any discrepancies or fraudulent transactions can be rectified. Contact SEFCU immediately if you notice an unauthorized transaction on your account.
New Study: Identity Theft More Prevalent Offline
Did you know you are more at risk of having your identity stolen through traditional means – like loss or theft of your wallet – than online methods such as phishing or spyware?
More Common Than You Think
Although you’ve probably heard many tips about how to protect yourself from online fraud, it is equally important to be aware of common offline scams. Here are some common types of offline fraud.
“Smishing” Scammers Turn to Text Messaging
Smishing is when fraudsters send text messages to credit union members in an attempt to get account information. The name is derived from Short Messaging Service (SMS) text messages and phishing to form “Smishing.”
The scammers send out a text message to credit union members. The message instructs them to call a number that has been provided because their debit card has been locked.
Guard Your Home Computer Against Spyware
Did you know that 9 out of 10 PCs connected to the Internet are infected with spyware*?
Answer these questions to see if you might be a victim.
Disclaimer for first-time visitors:
Thank you for visiting SEFCU's Website.
During your visit, you may choose certain links that can take you to a site hosted by another party. Although SEFCU has identified many of these links as reliable partner sites, please be advised that once you have left our domain, you will no longer be subject to, or under the protection of, the privacy and security policies of SEFCU's Website. We encourage you to read and evaluate the privacy and security policy on any site you may enter.
Security freezes, also known as credit freezes, restrict access to your credit file which makes it harder for fraudsters and identity thieves to open new accounts in your name. Now, you can freeze and unfreeze your credit file for free.
To con artists, down-on-their-luck relatives, or opportunistic acquaintances, older individuals are a goldmine, and here’s why. People over the age of 50 control 70% of the country’s wealth, and seniors between the ages of 65 and 74, with an average net worth of $1.06 million, have more assets than any other age group. Dementia, disability, and decline can make it even easier for criminals to con older adults out of their money, which is also known as elder abuse. There are many types of scams, unethical businesses, and unscrupulous individuals preying on seniors all the time.
