FRAUD PREVENTION TIPS
Protect Yourself from Fraud: ACFCU Is Here to Help
At Alcoa Community Federal Credit Union, we are committed to safeguarding your financial information. In the event of a vendor data breach, it’s essential to stay calm and focus on what information was exposed and how it might be misused. If your Social Security number or password is compromised, take immediate action by placing a credit freeze with the major bureaus—Equifax, Experian, and TransUnion —to protect your credit. Review your credit reports from all bureaus for discrepancies and monitor your accounts for unauthorized activity. Consider signing up for USPS Informed Delivery to track your mail and create a My Social Security Account to safeguard your benefits. Additionally, obtain an IRS IP PIN for added security. Always verify communications and avoid responding to unsolicited messages. While you can’t eliminate all identity theft risks, these proactive steps can make you a tougher target, and we’re here to help if an incident occurs in connection to your ACFCU account.
Phishing Scams:
Be cautious of unsolicited emails or messages asking for personal information. Always verify the sender’s identity before responding.
Verify Contacts:
If contacted by a third party or vendor, confirm their legitimacy before providing any information. Reach out to them through known and trusted contact details.
Avoid Suspicious Links:
Never click on links in emails or messages until you’ve verified the sender’s authenticity.
Question Merchants:
Consider how merchants you frequently purchase from typically contact you. If something seems unusual, take extra steps to confirm legitimacy of the communication.
Cancel Unwanted Services:
Contact vendors directly to cancel recurring services or subscriptions you no longer use.
Credit Freezes and Fraud Alerts:
Learn about credit freezes and fraud alerts HERE.
Credit Bureaus:
Contact the three major credit bureaus for more information -
Equifax: Click HERE.
Experian: Click HERE.
TransUnion: Click HERE.
Annual Credit Report:
Get a free credit report once a year from Annual Credit Report.com.
Do Not Call Registry:
Register your phone number with the National Do Not Call Registry to avoid unwanted calls.
Internet Crimes:
Report online crimes to the Internet Crime Complaint Center (IC3).
Consumer Protection:
Visit the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau for additional resources and support.
Verify the Transaction Status:
Verify that the transaction has been fully processed and is no longer pending before initiating a dispute. We can only process disputes for transactions that have been posted to your account.
Consider Contacting the Merchant First:
If you have concerns about a purchase or service, try reaching out to the merchant directly before disputing the transaction with us. This often resolves issues in a timely manner without disruption to your account. For issues with unauthorized charges or potential fraud with transactions on your account, contact us right away for assistance.
Provide Detailed Information:
The handling of disputes can vary based on the specifics of the transaction. When submitting a dispute, supply comprehensive details that will help us accurately assess the situation and determine the best course of action for our investigation.