Fraud Awareness and Prevention

Scams are getting trickier every day. We're here to help you spot the red flags and keep your accounts safer.

NuVista Federal Credit Union wants to encourage all members to follow safe online practices. There are many scams designed to steal your identity and your money. Financial institutions will never send you directly to an application form, web page, or telephone number asking for your personal account data, including credit card and PIN information.

Safe Online Practices

As a safe practice, when you have requested a secure page within a website, please be sure to check the URL or web address to ensure it matches the official domain name of that organization. For easy verification, most browsers will show a lock symbol indicating a secure site.

Verify URLs

Always check that website addresses match the official organization's domain name.

Look for Security Indicators

Check for the lock symbol and "https://" in the address bar for secure sites.

Remember

If you ever become concerned about the safety and security of your accounts or personal identification information, contact us immediately at (970) 249-8813 or (888) 261-7488.

Common Scams to Watch For

Phishing — How Not to Get Hooked

Phishing is a high-tech scam that uses spam or pop-up messages to deceive you into disclosing your credit card numbers, bank account information, Social Security number, passwords, or other sensitive information.

Phishers send an email or pop-up message that claims to be from a business or organization that you deal with. The message usually says that you need to "update" or "validate" your account information. It might threaten some dire consequences if you don't respond.

How to Avoid Phishing:

  • Be aware that phishing emails frequently have links to Web pages that host malicious code
  • Do not follow Web links in unsolicited emails from apparent federal banking agencies
  • Always use anti-virus software and ensure virus signatures are automatically updated
  • Do not open unsolicited or unexpected email attachments
  • If you get an email asking for personal or financial information, do not reply or click on the link
  • Don't email personal or financial information — email is not secure
  • Review credit card and bank account statements as soon as you receive them

Report phishing: Forward spam to spam@uce.gov

File a complaint at www.ftc.gov or visit www.consumer.gov/idtheft

Smishing — Text Message Scams

"Smishing" is phishing using SMS messaging. Scammers send a text message to your cell phone urging you to go to a spoofed website where you are prompted to provide your account information such as PINs or passwords.

Some smishing attempts include a phone number to call where you are asked to reveal personal information to an automated system.

Important: If you are "smished," never reply to requests for personal information. Always call NuVista Credit Union if you are concerned about the legitimacy of a text, phone or email message you receive.

Vishing — Phone Scams

"Vishing" (voice phishing) scams use phones instead of fake websites. Identity thieves send spam that warns victims that their credit union, bank account or PayPal accounts were supposedly compromised. However, unlike typical phishing emails, there is no website address in these messages. Instead, the victim is urged to call a phone number to verify account details.

The automated voice message may say: "Welcome to account verification. Please type your 16-digit card number." The goal is to get the victim to enter their credit card number.

Protect Yourself from Vishing:

  • Never call a number you receive from a spam email
  • Don't enter any private information if you make a mistake and do call
  • If you want to call your financial institution, use the normal phone number you regularly use
  • NuVista and other legitimate financial institutions will not directly link you to an online application
  • Never click on the link provided in an email you believe is fraudulent
  • Do not be intimidated by an email or caller who suggests dire consequences

Call 877.ID.THEFT (877.438.4338) if you've been a victim.

"Free Government Grants" — Beware

Have you received a letter or seen an ad announcing that you may qualify for a "free grant" to pay for education costs, home repairs, home business expenses, or unpaid bills? Or a phone call from someone who says they are from a "government agency" offering you a guaranteed grant?

According to the Federal Trade Commission (FTC), "money for nothing" grant offers are usually scams.

How to Avoid Grant Scams:

  • Don't give out your bank account information to anyone you don't know
  • Don't pay any money for a "free" government grant
  • Look-alikes are not the real thing — there is no "Federal Grants Administration"
  • Phone numbers can be deceiving — scammers use technology to disguise their area code
  • The only official access point for all federal grant-making agencies is www.grants.gov

Place your telephone number on the National Do Not Call Registry at www.donotcall.gov or call 1-888-382-1222

File a complaint with the FTC at www.ftc.gov or call 1-877-FTC-HELP

Prevention Tips

Strategies for Mitigating Risk

  • Do not respond to or open attachments or click on links in unsolicited email
  • Use strong passwords for online banking
  • Disable autoplay to prevent the launching of executable files
  • Disable file sharing if it is not needed
  • Install security updates to operating systems and all applications as they become available
  • Do not use computers accessible to the public to conduct transactions online

10 Tips for Safe ATM Use

1
Choose familiar ATMs — Use ATMs you know, or choose well-lit, well-placed locations
2
Have your card ready — Avoid opening your purse or wallet while in line
3
Be cautious of strangers — Don't allow anyone to distract you at the ATM
4
Shield the keypad — Stand close and cover your hand when entering your PIN
5
Keep your receipt — Compare ATM receipts to your monthly statement
6
Secure your card and cash — Put everything away before leaving the ATM
7
Memorize your PIN — Never write it down or carry it with your card
8
Never disclose your PIN — Don't share it with anyone, ever
9
Use a strong PIN — Avoid obvious numbers like your birthdate
10
Monitor your account — Check statements regularly and report discrepancies immediately

Note: Show the same precautionary care when using your card at point-of-sale terminals, restaurants, or when conducting transactions online, by phone, or when writing checks.

Additional Tips for Business Members

  • Use a dedicated computer specifically for conducting online financial transactions
  • Protect the computer with a firewall and antivirus software
  • Don't use the computer for email or general Internet usage
  • Consider using a bootable read-only operating system for financial transactions
  • Install real-time antivirus protection with automatic updates and scanning
  • Utilize a desktop firewall

Resources & Help

Contact NuVista

If you're concerned about fraud or suspicious activity, contact us immediately.

Report Fraud

Report suspicious activity to these agencies:

Additional Resources