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Financial Resource Center

Fraud Prevention & Security

Stop Fraud Before it Happens

We want to keep your personal information personal as much as you do. Mail checks directly from the Post Office or USPS Drop Off to prevent fraudsters from stealing your check information from your mailbox. Keep your passwords to yourself and check your Online Banking frequently for unusual activity. Follow these tips to keep your accounts and information safe:

  • How to set up ALERTS in Online Banking:

    1. Log into your online banking (either on a desktop computer or through the browser on your mobile device)
    2. Click on Create Alert
    3. In the drop-down of Alert Type, choose which alert you want sent to you. Some examples include account balance above/below amounts, check/draft cleared over amount, loan payment due, and deposit over amount.
    4. Once you make your decision on what you want to receive an alert about, choose the account you want the alert to pertain to (savings, check, loan, etc.)
    5. Next, choose how you would like to receive this alert. Choose between an email or a text to your mobile phone.
      • If you choose an alert to your mobile phone, you will have a few more steps to set up. Please jump to step 9.
      • If you have set up your mobile device in online banking already, click the Mobile Number box and jump to step 6.
    6. Once you have filled in all the information, hit Review.
    7. Then click Save Alert
    8. CONGRATS! You are set up to receive alerts to your email about your account!
    9. To set up your mobile number in your online banking, click on the Question Mark under the Mobile Device section OR click the Mobile button at the top right of your online banking (next to the envelope icon)
      • There will be an option to click on the words “mobile number” (highlighted in blue). Click on this.
      • You should see Services & Devices in the SMS Services section. There will be a button that says “Add Mobile Device”. Click on that.
      • Enter phone number
      • You should receive an activation code via text. Type in that activation code. If you do not receive the code, click on “Click Here” on the Activate Mobile Device page.
      • Once your phone number has been activated with your online banking, you will need to click the SMS Alerts box to be able to set up alerts. Then click Save Changes.
      • Now, click on Accounts at the top of your online banking.
      • Jump back to step 2 to set up an alert.
  • Click HERE to enroll in Text Fraud Monitoring. With Centricity Credit Union fraud monitoring, keeping your card safe is as easy as sending a text. Our text alert service allows you to instantly keep tabs on suspicious card activity. With text fraud alerts, if our system detects suspicious activity on your card, you’ll receive a text message with details about the suspected transaction. All you have to do is respond to the text to confirm the transaction. If you indicate the transaction is fraud, you’ll receive another message with a number to call for follow-up. If not, you’re all set. The system will mark the transaction as legitimate and you can get on with your day – simple as that.

Avoiding Fraud

Fraud and scams are realities in today’s world. Here are just a few of the most common schemes fraudsters may use:

  • If it sounds too good to be true, it probably is.

    • “Buy it now – this offer is only good today!”
    • Pay first, before any of the details or contract are provided.
    • Offers that discourage potential customers from taking the time to research the product or company thoroughly before purchasing.
    • Offers in which a fee has to be paid to receive a large amount of money back.
  • Extremely alarming or threatening messages – threats of account closure and/or jail for yourself or a loved one. 

    Fraudsters use fear in hopes that people will panic and be frightened into providing their personal information.

  • “Free” trips, life insurance, lottery winnings, etc. They ask you to pay a small processing charge in order to receive your money/gift.

  • Love of your life? Or just a really good scam artist?

    Sure, you can find love online. You could also find yourself falling for a clever con artist who will gain your trust and rob you blind. It happens all the time.

    The Federal Trade Commission (FTC) received more than 25,000 complaints about romance scams last year. Victims reported losing $201 million to these scams last year. For the past two years, more money has been lost to romance scams than any other type of scam reported to the FTC.

    Romance scammers post their fake profiles on popular dating websites and apps. They also target people through direct messaging on social media sites. Their goal is to steal your heart and then steal your money. Victims can lose hundreds of thousands of dollars. In some cases, their life savings.

  • Beware the fake bail request!

    If you have a caller saying a family member needs help posting bail, which is often done via a request for cash or wire, don’t rush! Always verify: Call the appropriate county jail, the individual in need, and immediate surrounding family. County jails know the local bail bondsmen and how bail can be posted. They are your best source for information to verify the case.

Already clicked on something?

Change your password. If you’re worried about something you clicked on, or personal info you gave out, it’s a good idea to change your password for the related site (if there is one).

Monitor your accounts and contact us if you see anything out of the ordinary.

Click HERE to read the article published by the FTC on how to protect yourself from scammers. Click HERE for an info-graphic about the current main scams about coronavirus.

Stay Alert: Phishing Scams are on the Rise Scammers use our and other institutions names to target you. Never reply to these messages directly. Contact us via our posted contact info to verify.