Protect yourself and your accounts.
It is important to be on the lookout for fraudulent activity and to know how to safeguard yourself against it.
At Members First, we monitor this kind of activity on a daily – and even hourly – basis. Identity theft is one of the most prevalent crime in the U.S. You will find resources and advice below to help protect you.
lock
How Members First Protects You and Your Accounts
shield
How to Protect Yourself and Your Accounts
exclamation
Popular Fraud Scams
How Members First Protects You
Secure Access
Members First members can access accounts online with a Username and Password. When a new device is detected at sign-in, a secure access code will be sent to the phone number on file for an added layer of security.
Unusual Access Alerts
When unusual access to your account online is detected, the fraud department is alerted for review. New devices, non-local logins and excessive failed login attempts can trigger a review to further protect your account.
Card Management
With the MyCardRules app, you can manage your Members First debit or credit card from anywhere. Set location controls for added security, create purchase limits and alerts for budgeting, and the ability to lock your card when lost or stolen.
Card Fraud Alerts
Suspicious card usage is monitored by Members First and will trigger an alert of suspected fraud to the member. These alerts come via text, email, and phone call. If suspected fraud is identified on a card, the card will be temporarily blocked until we receive confirmation from the member.
- Legitimate text alerts will always contain the financial institution name, last 4-digits of the card number, & a recent transaction.
- If calling a number provided in a text alert, the representative will not ask for a full card number or a verification code sent via text/email.
- If in doubt, call the credit union directly at 855.835.6328.
How You Can Prevent Fraud
Password Security
Create a Strong Password
Create strong passwords for a solid defense against hackers.
- An ideal password should be 12 or more characters and use a combination of special characters, numbers, and capital and lowercase letters.
- And do not use information easily available on social media—like a pet’s name or your birthday—as part of your password.
- Another option is to use a third-party password manager to create a strong password — and remember it.
Secure Your Email
It's critical to protect your email account with a strong password. That’s because password reset links often go to your email inbox. If a hacker takes over your email account, they can get password reset links for your other accounts.
Keep Personal Information Private
Financial texting, phone, and email scams are on the rise. Members First will never contact you to ask for your account numbers, card number, zip code, passwords, pin numbers, passcodes, or usernames. If anyone contacts you unexpectedly and requests this information, do not provide it.
- Never respond to emails or text messages with personal banking or credit card information.
- Never provide debit or credit card numbers or PIN in response to unsolicited email.
- Never use email to send your confidential information, since internet email is not secure.
- Be cautious about giving confidential information over the phone, or through text message, to callers you don’t know.
- Never share your online banking login credentials.
Monitor Your Account
- Check your monthly statements to verify all transactions and notify your financial institution of any suspicious transactions.
- Shred any pre-approved credit offers that you do not want.
- Report lost or stolen checks and credit cards immediately.
Monitor Your Credit
Your credit report is an important part of your financial life. It can determine whether you can get credit, how good or bad the terms for getting credit are, and how much it costs you to borrow money. Getting your credit report can help protect your credit history from errors and help you spot signs of identity theft.
- Review your credit report once a year.
Popular Fraud Scams
Every day, scammers develop new schemes intended to rob you of your personal information, money, or both. Knowing is half the battle, so take a moment to familiarize yourself with some of the most common scams, and the next time you’re a target, you just might save yourself some hassle.
How to Report a Scam
According to the CFPB, If you suspect a scam, there are a few important steps you should take right away.
- Contact your local police or sheriff’s office to report the scam.
- Contact your state attorney general. Visit the National Association of Attorneys General website for the contact information of each state attorney general.
- If the victim is an older person or a person with a disability, contact your local adult protective services agency. You can find your state or local agency that receives and investigates reports of suspected elder financial exploitation by using the online Eldercare Locator or calling (800) 677-1116.
- If you or someone you care about is the victim of a fraud, scam or financial exploitation, you can report fraud with the Federal Trade Commission.