Fraud prevention and security
Scams are big business and ever-changing in today’s world.
Get the latest fraud news and tips to protect yourself and your finances.
How we contact you about potential fraud
The safety and security of your information is important to us. We have specific methods to let you know if there is suspected or fraudulent activity on your account(s).
Notifications about potential fraud will be sent to you by email, text, and phone call.
As threats of fraud continue to rise, remember that we’ll never call and ask you for account data or information. If you get a call or contact that claims to be from Members, asking for this kind of information, don’t give it out.
To verify the legitimacy of a call or email, call us at 800-296-8871. It’s always safest to connect with through official contact points.
Mail theft-related check fraud schemes
For years the use of paper checks has been significantly declining throughout the U.S. However, since the COVID-19 pandemic, the U.S. Mail and the United States Postal Service have been increasingly targeted by criminals seeking to commit check fraud.
What happens with this form of fraud?
In mail theft-related check fraud schemes, criminals typically steal personal, business, or tax refund checks, or checks related to government assistance programs, like Social Security and unemployment benefits.
After they’ve stolen and cashed the checks, criminals may continue to exploit their victims using the personally identifiable information they got from the stolen mail. They may use this information for future schemes like credit card fraud.
How to prevent it
- Placing mail in a collection box? Deposit it as close to the pickup time as possible.
- Don’t raise the flag if you have outgoing mail in your mailbox.
- Retrieve your mail from your mailbox promptly.
- Sign up for USPS Informed Delivery. It’s free! With this service, the USPS emails you images of all the items being delivered to your home that day, so you’ll know if anything’s missing after it’s delivered.
- Going on vacation? Use the USPS Hold Mail service or have a neighbor collect your mail.
- Always monitor your bank accounts for unusual activity and report anything suspicious as soon as possible.
What to do if you may have been a victim
- Don’t wait!
- For U.S. mail items, promptly report your concerns online to the US Postal Inspection Service.
- You can also call: 1-877-876-2455 to make a report.
- To confirm that your item is missing, your post office may ask for tracking numbers or additional relevant information, so collect any information or documentation you can.
- Call us at: 1-800-296-8871 if you have concerns about protecting your account.
Criminals and fraudsters are happy to jump on an easy opportunity to make money at the expense of others. Protect yourself and take steps to lessen the likelihood that you’ll be targeted. If you suspect you’ve been a victim, report your concerns promptly. The USPS reports that there are over 1.7 million cases of mail theft daily. We can all help put a dent in that number.
What should I do if I think something is suspicious?
If something seems suspicious, like an email, phone call, text, or someone offering some type of service, the FTC recommends you “think critically”. Ask yourself three questions:
1. Who is the message from? Do I know them? Do I trust them? Am I positive they are who they say they are? Double-check: government imposters are active right now.
2. What do they want you to do? Are they trying to get you to act in some way? Do they want you to buy something, download something, or give up personal info?
3. What evidence supports their message? It’s a good idea to be extra vigilant and fact-check information with a few reliable, independent sources. If the information in the message doesn’t hold up or seem accurate, don’t engage.
Take action
During this uncertain time, we ask you to diligently monitor your accounts for suspicious activity and be on the lookout for scams. If you believe you’ve become a victim of a scam involving your account at the credit union, take immediate action:
- Call Members Cooperative Credit Union at: 1-800-296-8871 to place a fraud alert on your accounts.
- Report suspicious activity, whether related to your accounts at the credit union or otherwise, to the Federal Trade Commission.
To keep up with the latest scams, and what the FTC is doing, sign up to get Consumer Alerts.
Guard against cyber fraud
These precautions can help you avoid becoming a victim of cyber fraud.
- Don’t respond to unsolicited (spam) emails or texts.
- Don’t click on links in unsolicited emails or text messages.
- Be cautious of emails claiming to contain pictures in attached files, as they may contain viruses. Only open attachments from known senders, and scan them for viruses if possible.
- Before opening a link in an email, check to see where it’s directing you to. Make sure the link matches the destination and directs to a legitimate site.
- Instead of following a link in an unsolicited email, log in to the company’s official website directly from your web browser.
- If you’re unsure whether an email is genuine, use another method of communication to contact the apparent sender directly and ask. Do not reply to the email.
- If you’re told there’s an emergency or are pressured to act quickly, it may be a scam. Fraudsters create a sense of urgency to get you to respond.
- Verify requests for personal information by contacting the company directly through their publicly posted contact methods. Don’t rely on any contact details provided in the request itself.
Protect yourself
How to protect your Members debit card from fraud and unauthorized transactions:
Click here for more information.
Watch our Identity Theft Prevention video
My identity has been stolen. What should I do?
If you’re a victim of identity theft, take action immediately to limit the damage and protect your good name:
1. Download this free Identity Theft Emergency Repair Kit (PDF). It provides step-by-step instructions along with the necessary forms to help restore your identity. You’ll need Adobe Acrobat Reader to open this PDF document.
2. Contact Members Cooperative Credit Union and any related vendors immediately. Close any accounts that may have been tampered with or opened fraudulently.
3. Place a fraud alert on your credit report with one of the three major credit bureaus. Also request to review your credit report for suspicious activity. You can request a free copy of your credit report from each bureau once per year at annualcreditreport.com. Additional copies are available for a fee.
Equifax: 1-888-766-0008
Experian: 1-888-397-3742
TransUnion: 1-800-680-7289
4. File a complaint with the Federal Trade Commission at ReportFraud.ftc.gov.
5. File a report with local police.
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The internet is full of great resources to make life more convenient, but just like in the physical world, it’s important to be careful with your valuables online— and remember that in the digital world, information is the most valuable thing of all.
Scammers, hackers, and other criminals are skilled at stealing sensitive data from unsuspected victims, such as their passwords, Social Security numbers, and financial account numbers. That’s why it’s important to learn how to secure your devices, network, and information.
General Tips
- Ensure use of the correct mobile banking app.
- Be certain your mobile device is updated with current operating systems. These updates may include critical security updates or patches that assist in security effectiveness.
- Consider password-protecting your mobile device.
- Install antivirus software on your mobile device.
- Secure your accounts and devices with strong passwords. Use a minimum of 12 characters and avoid words that are common or easily guessed.
- Don’t use the same password for multiple accounts.
- Choose security questions that can’t be easily guessed or obtained from publicly available information.
- Be vigilant with accounts containing personal information, like social media, email, and financial accounts.
- Set up payment apps to require a passcode, PIN, facial recognition, or fingerprint authentication before making a payment.
- Don’t send account numbers, passwords, or other personal information by email or text message.
- Treat your passwords and security questions the same way you’d treat your wallet, cash, or credit cards — keep them protected and don’t save them to your device.
- Don’t store passwords on your phone.
- Don’t use public Wi-Fi for online purchases or financial transactions.
- Report suspected identity theft right away at IdentityTheft.gov.
Tips for Business Members
- Stay educated on risks associated with business email compromise risks. A good resource is the Federal Bureau of Investigation.
- Perform a mobile and online banking risk assessment at least once per year. Items to consider:
- Are employees who have access to your business’s mobile banking app listed on the current corporate resolution with Members?
- Do you run background checks on any business user of mobile or online banking?
- Do you filter SPAM emails?
- Do you have firewalls in place to protect your network?
- Does your device (mobile or computer) have updated antivirus software?
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Just like any other payment method, Zelle® can be targeted by criminals and scammers. Keep these important safety tips in mind to guard against fraud when using Zelle.
- If you receive a call saying that a Zelle transaction is canceled, don’t give out any information over the phone — even if the caller claims to be from your financial institution. Hang up and contact your financial institution to ask about the transaction using a published phone number.
- Don’t rely on caller ID to verify who’s calling; it can be modified to show false information.
- Refunds are not issued through Zelle. If someone calls and offers you a refund through Zelle, hang up and call your financial institution.
- Your financial institution will never call to ask for information you received by text.
- Don’t be pressured into providing information immediately by phone, text or email. Scammers often create a false sense of urgency as a manipulation tactic.
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No matter where you’re off to, follow these tips to avoid some common financial pitfalls while you’re away from home.
1. Set up online banking
Our free online banking platform lets you pay your bills, monitor your accounts, transfer funds, access your statements, and more— whether you’re at home or away.
2. Tell us your plans
It’s easy to inform us of your travel plans, right from online banking— just click the travel notification link or send us a message. Let us know your travel dates and where you’ll be going, and we’ll update your account to avoid disruption to your service.
3. Scout out ATMs in your area
As a member, you have access to a network of thousands of surcharge-free ATMs across the country. When you need cash, use the MoneyPass ATM locator to avoid costly fees.
4. Download the Members mobile app
Our free mobile banking app offers the same services as online banking, right from your smartphone. It even includes additional offerings like mobile check deposit, which lets you safely deposit paper checks using your phone’s camera, and Card Secure™, which lets you control your debit card usage and spending on the go.
5. Avoid public Wi-Fi
Public Wi-Fi is easy to hack, so avoid it when you can — and most importantly, never make purchases or financial transactions unless you’re on a secure network.
6. Safeguard your documents
Keep your passport and other documents locked in your hotel safe when you aren’t using them. It’s also a good idea to keep a photocopy of your passport and credit cards, along with a list of important contacts in case your phone, wallet, or passport gets lost or stolen. (Just be sure to keep the copies locked up as well!)
Have questions? We're here to help!
Disclosures
The information provided is general in nature and may not apply to your specific situation.
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