Security and Fraud

Member Reminder

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DO NOT RESPOND to email scams that ask for your account number & credit card number, and personal identification numbers. E-mail messages that ask for this type of information are fraudulent and should be reported immediately.

Morgantown AES Federal Credit Union will never contact you and ask for this information.

Introducing: Free fraud education from Alison

Alison offers free online courses that teach you to avoid web-based scams and frauds. With the widespread use of online banking, financial fraud has become widespread and sophisticated. Take advantage of the free online information and strengthen your digital footprint, keeping your personal information and you as safe as possible

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Twelve Tips to Ensure Internet Security

  • Keep your computer secure and the access to it;
  • Don’t send credit card or account details by e-mail;
  • Reject any email that asks you to follow a link to a website and input account details for verification; even if the website looks authentic, it’s probably a fake replica;
  • Make sure you log out of your online account when especially at work, libraries and net cafés;
  • Deal only with established and reputable merchants;
  • Only make payments to secure websites-look for the padlock symbol in the bottom-right of your browser and click for details.
  • If using a new site: do business first in a small way;
  • Check your accounts and report discrepancies immediately
  • Ignore the “remember my password option” on banking and shopping sites
  • Change your password regularly
  • Cancel any card that has been used fraudulently
  • Read a company’s privacy policy before buying online.

Tips to reduce your chances of credit/debit card fraud

DO:

  • Shred all personal and financial information-such as bills, bank statements, ATM receipts and credit card offers-before you throw it away.
  • Keep your personal documentation ( e.g. , birth certificate. Social Security card etc.) and your bank and credit card records in a secure place.
  • Call the post office immediately if you are not receiving your mail. to get the personal information needed to use your identity, a thief can forge your signature and have your mail forwarded.
  • Be aware of your surroundings when entering your Personal Identification Number (PIN) at an ATM.
  • Limit the number of credit cards and personal information that you carry in your wallet or purse.
    report lost or stolen credit / debit cards immediately.
  • Review and consider whether you need currently inactive card accounts. Even when not being used, these accounts appear on your credit report, which is accessible to thieves. If you have applied for a credit card and have not received the card in a timely manner, immediately notify the appropriate financial institution.
  • Closely monitor the expiration dates on your credit cards. contact the credit issuer if the replacement card is not received prior to your credit card’s expiration date.
  • Sign all new credit / debit cards upon receipt.
  • Review your credit reports annually.
  • Use passwords on your credit cards, bank accounts and phone cards. avoid using the obvious passwords- your mother’s maiden name, your birth date, or last four digits of your Social Security or phone number.
  • Match your credit card and debit receipts against monthly bills and statements to make sure there are no unauthorized charges.

DON’T:

  • Volunteer any personal information when you use your credit card.
  • Give your Social Security number, credit / debit card number or any bank account details over the phone unless you have initiated the call and know that the business that you are dealing with is reputable.
  • Leave receipts at ATMs, bank counters or unattended gasoline pumps.
  • Leave envelopes containing your credit card payments or checks in your home mailbox for postal carrier pickup.
  • Record your Social Security number or passwords on paper and store them in your wallet or purse. Memorize your numbers and/or passwords.
  • Disclose bank account numbers, credit card account numbers or other personal financial data on any Web site or online service location, unless you receive a secured authentication key from your provider.