Security Updates
Protect Yourself from Account Fraud
At Pima Federal, keeping our members and member assets safe is one of our highest priorities in this ever-increasing digital age.
Here are some reminders on how you can protect yourself from fraudulent activity.
Here are some reminders on how you can protect yourself from fraudulent activity.
Safeguard Your Information
- Create strong passwords that are both long and unique and never share your PIN or passwords with anyone.
- Avoid connecting to public Wi-Fi when accessing personal information on your device.
- Be aware of your surroundings when using an ATM and avoid using any crypto ATM.
- Password protect your mobile device and avoid storing passwords and other sensitive information on your device where it could be discovered if lost or stolen.
Be Aware of Scams
- Watch out for scammers who may spoof a phone number so that the caller ID reads “Pima Federal” and never provide personal information to someone who has called, text, or emailed you.
- If you are being coached on what to say, threatened, or asked to pay for something to win a prize, be sure to end the conversation and contact Pima Federal directly.
Monitor Your Accounts
- Check your statements or login to online/mobile banking regularly to monitor your account and verify there are no unauthorized transactions.
- Set up account alerts to ensure you receive immediate notifications on suspicious and/or large transactions.
- Reduce your risk of mail fraud and sign up for estatements so you can electronically receive your account statements and notices.
In addition to these reminders, you should consider adding your debit/credit card to your mobile wallet (Apple Pay, Google Pay, etc.). Mobile wallet uses data encryption and tokenization to monitor and secure your personal and card information, which can make it safer than physical cards.
While Pima Federal does monitor fraudulent or suspicious account activity and may proactively contact you about this activity, we will never call and ask for confidential information such as your entire account number or PIN.
If you notice any fraudulent activity, contact us immediately at 520-887-5010.
Automated Fraud Alerts: Your Best Defense Against Fraud
Our automated fraud alert system can identify threats faster, notify you sooner and equip you with the tools you need to take immediate action against fraud.
The fraud alert system allows you to receive an automated call that easily walks you through reviewing suspicious activity on your card. You may also receive Automated Fraud Alerts via text message or email.
Benefits of Automated Fraud Alerts:
- IMMEDIATE alerts
When suspicious activity has been detected on your account, we don’t wait for an agent to dial your number – our automated system will contact you by text, phone or email.
- 2-Way Communication
You can take action the second you receive your alert – by texting the provided command word or interacting with the automated system on the phone; simply follow the instructions to answer questions regarding your recent card activity.
- Real-time Support
Our live agents are ready to assist you at any time to ensure you receive the best defense exactly when you need it.
There are several precautions, you as a member can take to increase your personal safety when using ATMs. Your safety at an ATM is about being prepared.
- Remain aware of your surroundings, particularly at night. If you observe or sense suspicious person or circumstances, do not use the machine at that time.
- Prepare your transaction before you approach to minimize time spent at the ATM. Get down to business at the ATM. Fumbling for your card in front of the machine makes you vulnerable and takes your attention away from what is happening in the vicinity.
- If an ATM is hidden from public view (including overgrown shrubbery or landscaping), poorly lit, or ATM lights are not working; don’t use it and go to another ATM.
- Avoid using ATMs at night or take a companion with you if necessary. Park as close as possible to the ATM walk-up. When you have completed your transaction, leave the ATM as quickly as possible.
- If anyone or anything seems suspicious, cancel the transaction and leave immediately. Do not accept assistance from strangers when using an ATM.
- Do not count or visually display cash; instead, pocket it immediately when you complete the transaction, and take your card and receipt. Verify the cash when safe to do so.
- If anyone follows you after making an ATM transaction, go immediately to a crowded, well-lit area and call the police.
- If you are involved in a robbery situation while using the ATM, do not resist. Give the money to the suspect immediately. Contact the police when safe to do so.
- Protect your PIN and the privacy of your transaction by shielding the keypad while standing close to the ATM to prevent others behind you from observing your transaction detail.
- Always check your ATM receipt against your statements to identify any unauthorized transactions.
- Immediately report a lost or stolen ATM, debit, or credit card.
A few additional tips when using an ATM located within a drive-thru lane:
- Keep all doors locked on your vehicle, windows rolled up, and your engine running while using a drive-up ATM.
- Leave enough room between your vehicle and the vehicle in front of you to exit, should the need arise.
- Keep a close eye on your rear and side view vehicle mirrors during the transaction.
*Source: CUNA Mutual Group
Fraudsters have been targeting Zelle users recently. They have implemented a sophisticated scam that bypasses security features put in place by Zelle to help combat fraud.
Here’s how the scam works:
- Fraudsters pose as the credit union and send a text to the member about a suspicious debit card transaction.
- Once someone responds to the text, they will follow up with a call claiming to be the fraud department. They spoof the credit union’s phone number to make it appear legitimate. Spoofing is when criminals masquerade as a trusted entity to get you to do something beneficial to the fraudster. For example, they will copy a trusted business’ phone number or email address.
- The fraudster asks for the members username for online banking claiming that it is a form of authentication.
- Next, they tell the member that they will receive a passcode via text or email. They state that this code must be given to them to verify the member’s identity. In reality, they have initiated a forgot password feature and used that passcode to pass two-factor authentication.
- The fraudster logs in the member’s online banking and changes the password.
- Then, they begin to use Zelle to initiate fraudulent transfers to others.
In response, Zelle initiated a feature that would help mitigate this scam. Zelle began to send the member a text containing the details of a Zelle transfer-payee and dollar amount- to the member. The member must reply to authorize the transfer.
To bypass this security feature, fraudsters will keep members on the phone after initiating a transfer.
- They inform the member that they will be receiving a text containing details of a Zelle transfer.
- They instruct the member to authorize the transfer claiming that this is how the refund of the previously mentioned “suspicious” transactions will occur.
- The member authorizes the transfer, and the funds go to another account/person.
What can you do?
- Be wary of calls or texts that appear to come from the credit union. If you are unsure or suspicious, hang up and call the credit union using a reliable number (520-887-5010).
- Never provide personal information in response to a text or phone call.
- No credit union employee will ask for personal information such as usernames, passwords, and passcodes.
If you have experienced identity theft or fraud, here are some resources to help you protect your identity and credit history.
Law Enforcement
Contact the appropriate law enforcement agency for your residence. (Non-emergency phone numbers listed)
- Tucson Police Department – 520-791-4444 (8am–6pm)
- Pima County Sheriff – 520-351-4900
- Marana Police Department – 520-682-4032
- Oro Valley Police Department – 520-229-4900
- Springerville Police Department – 928-333-4240
- Eagar Police Department – 928-333-4127
- Apache County Sheriff – 928-337-4321
Identification
Replace any lost identification
- Arizona Identification
- www.servicearizona.com
- 520-629-9808 (Tucson)
- 1-800-251-5866
- Social Security
- www.ssa.gov
- 1-800-772-1213
- Passports
- www.travel.state.gov
- Print forms and mail
- Resident Alien or Green Cards
- Military ID
- Report to your base Physical Security Officer or go through your chain of command
Credit History/Identity Theft
Contact the three credit bureaus to place Fraud “alerts” on your credit report
- Equifax
- www.equifax.com
- 1-888-766-0008
- Experian
- www.experian.com
- 1-888-397-3742
- TransUnion
- www.transunion.com
- 1-800-680-7289
- ChexSystems
- Submit identity theft security alert
- www.chexsystems.com
- 1-888-478-6536
Remember to visit www.annualcreditreport.com to get copies of all three credit reports in 30-60 days to review for free.
If ever you are a victim to a fraudulent scheme, you can report it to BBB Scam Tracker us to help warn others. Report online related fraud to the FBI Complaint Department. Additional resources for scams and identity theft can be found at the Federal Trade Commission site.
If it sounds "too good to be true," it likely is. Be cautious of employment ads for secret shoppers, ads for administrative assistants, and nanny employment. The fraudsters often use text messages for communication and can sound quite convincing. They will generally provide overpayment, and then ask for some funds back. Contact the company directly (i.e. look up the phone number from a Google search) to verify the check was issued, valid and authorized. Once you negotiate the check, you are responsible for it.
Online dating scams often involve a financial request (e.g. to deposit a check for someone else, and send them the money, or portray a family / medical emergency), and if you don't know the person (i.e. have never met in person) or haven't known the individual long, the transaction can put you and your account at risk. In addition, many online dating fraudsters ask for your account information or online banking credentials when they convey a financial request.
