Fraud Prevention
Protect yourself from Fraud
Fraud and scams can happen to anyone. Scammers impersonate financial institutions such as WMCU to trick you into sharing personal or account information. Scammers may sound convincing by claiming to be from an official department, using urgent language, or referencing recent transactions.
Learning how to identify scams and protect your information is the best way to keep your money safe.
WMCU Would Never...
- Ask you for your online banking username or password.
- Disclose your personal information over the phone.
- Ask for your full debit or credit card number, CVV, or the last 8 digits of your debit or credit card.
- Ask you to send any money or gift cards.
Helpful tips to fight fraud
What are the signs of a scam?
Scammers create fake emergencies or problems. Scammers use many tactics to trick people into giving away money or personal information. They may falsely claim you owe the government money, pretend a family member is experiencing an emergency, or say your computer is infected with a virus. These situations are not real, they are fabricated to create a sense of urgency and pressure you into acting quickly. Always take time to verify the information before responding to any unexpected request.
Scammers pressure you to act. Scammers try to pressure you into acting before you have time to think or verify their claims. They may even threaten you with arrest or other serious consequences if you don’t respond immediately. This urgency is designed to prevent you from checking the facts.
Scammers tell you to pay, and they tell you HOW to pay. Scammers often say you can only pay by:
- Buying a gift card and giving them the numbers on the back
- Wiring money
- Sending cryptocurrency
- Using a payment app
- Scammers choose these payment methods because they function similar to cash. Once you pay, it’s extremely difficult to recover your money.
Common fraud tactics
Stay informed about the latest scams to protect yourself. Here are some common ones to watch out for:
- Phishing: Be wary of suspicious emails, texts, or calls asking for personal information.
- Smishing: Similar to phishing, but through text messages.
- Vishing: Fraudulent phone calls claiming to be from a legitimate source.
- Skimming: Protect your card information by shielding your PIN when entering it and checking for card skimmers at ATMs.
How to protect yourself from scammers
Protecting yourself from scammers starts with staying cautious and recognizing suspicious behavior. Be wary of unexpected calls, emails, text messages, or social media contacts that ask for money or personal information.
Take your time. Legitimate organizations will never pressure you to make an immediate decision. Anyone who tries to rush you is likely a scammer. Additionally, never send payments using gift cards, wire transfers, cryptocurrency, or payment apps when someone insists these are the only acceptable methods. These payment types are difficult to trace and nearly impossible to recover once sent.
- Don’t respond to unsolicited messages that ask for money or personal details.
- Always verify any unexpected request, claim, or demand before taking action.
- Never send payments to anyone who insists on gift cards, wire transfers, cryptocurrency, or payment apps.
- Avoid posting vacation photos in real time on social media—wait until you’re back home.
- Keep your mailing address up to date so sensitive mail and statements stay protected.
- Monitor your account balances regularly to quickly spot and report suspicious activity.
- Do not open attachments or click links in emails or text messages from unknown or unexpected senders.
Helpful tips to keep your online banking credentials safe
- Never give anyone your online banking username or password. WMCU will never ask for your online banking credentials over the phone.
- Always log out of your online banking session and never leave account information visible on your screen.
- Avoid sending sensitive information by email, including your Social Security number, date of birth, passwords, or account numbers.
- Do not use public Wi‑Fi to access online banking. Public networks are risky—reserve them only for general browsing or shopping.
- Install reputable antivirus software on all your devices to help block malware and other threats.
- Use a passcode or screen lock on every device to prevent unauthorized access.
- Keep your devices updated. Regular software updates include critical security patches from manufacturers.
- Create strong, unique passwords (for example: ExaMple12@#).
- Never store passwords or usernames directly on your devices.
Take advantage of your Simply Better Checking Account benefits
Enroll in Simply Better Checking and get powerful protection for your personal information. Simply Better Checking includes credit file monitoring and total identity monitoring for only a $4 monthly account fee—a simple, affordable way to safeguard your identity.
