Protecting your Account from Fraud
Cases of fraud and scams targeting credit union members continue to rise. While we do everything we can to prevent fraud, we encourage our members to be vigilant and stay informed. Fraudsters may contact you by phone, email or text pretending to be from your Credit Union or Banks or organisations such as An Post and Amazon trying to gain access to your banking details or card information.
To protect you and your account from fraud, please remember these 10 Top tips:
1. Never respond to an email or text asking for financial, personal or security information.
2. Your personal details are precious - always keep PINs and passwords private.
3. Don’t click on links or attachments in unsolicited emails or texts. Log into accounts and websites directly.
4. Remember, your Credit Union will never ask for PIN, One-time passcodes, or security details.
5. Don’t assume an email, call or text is genuine because someone has basic information like your name or address. Fraudsters use publicly available information to lure you in.
6. Did you know it takes two people to terminate a landline call? Make sure you hear a dial tone when you hang up or call back to check the caller’s ID - and never use a number given to you by the caller.
7. Always keep your debit/credit card in sight when paying for goods or services.
8. Cover your PIN every time you pay using your card and at the ATM.
9. Unsecured public Wi-Fi networks are hotspots for fraudsters - use 4G when shopping or
banking online.
10. If something doesn’t feel right, it probably isn’t. Stay in control and don’t be rushed into making a decision you might regret. It’s always better to check, chat and challenge.
Phishing is the attempt by fraudsters to acquire sensitive information such as usernames, passwords and card details, via email, by pretending to be from a trustworthy entity, such as your Credit Union or bank. This information can be used to access your bank account or card.
REMEMBER – Never Click on any suspicious links or open any suspicious attachments
Vishing is a phone scam where fraudsters target you by phone and try to trick you into divulging personal, financial or security information or into making a financial transfer to them.
A fraudster can phone you, claiming to be from a Credit Union, bank or card issuer and trick you into believing they are a legitimate representative of the organisation and that it is in your interest to give the information they ask for.
REMEMBER – Westport Credit Union will never call you asking for PIN’s Passwords, Codes or Personal Information
Smishing is a scam where fraudsters send text messages to random mobile phones. The text messages claim to come from a reputable organisation such as a Credit Union, bank or card issuer.
The message will typically ask you to click on a link in order to “verify”, “update” or to “reactivate” your account. The website link leads to a bogus website and the phone number leads to a fraudster pretending to be the legitimate company. The criminal attempts to get you to disclose personal, financial or security information, which will then be used to steal your money.
REMEMBER – Do not respond to any unsolicited text messages.
Student rental scams are on the rise, don’t get tricked into paying for a property that doesn’t exist.
Be Informed
Do your homework - familiarise yourself with the average rent prices in your search area
Be Secure
Keep copies of all correspondence
Be Alert
Don’t make any payments until you have got the keys and signed the rental contract
A money mule is someone who transfers or moves illegally acquired money on behalf of someone else. Criminals recruit money mules to help launder proceeds derived from crime.
Warning Signs
Beware if you receive an unsolicited e-mail or social media message that promises easy money for little or no effort.
Never agree to open a new current account in your own name on behalf of someone else to receive a transfer/inbound payment.
Money mule advertisements or offers might replicate a legitimate company's website and use a similar web address to create the impression of authenticity for the scam
Useful Resources
FraudSMART Raises awareness of financial scams and shares tips on how to protect yourself.
Visit FraudSMART
