We Care About Your Financial Security
and we're here to help you combatfinancial fraud
Your Security Is Our Top Priority
At Wheelhouse Credit Union, protecting your account information and providing a safe banking experience is one of our top priorities. We’ve gathered the tips below to help keep your information safe and secure.
LOST OR STOLEN CARD?
To report a lost or stolen card, or if you are concerned that your account information is compromised, please contact us immediately at
1-844-484-0045.
Your ID Theft Protection Offer
As a Member of Wheelhouse Credit Union, you can take advantage of Love My Credit Union Rewards.
One of these rewards is an exclusive discount of up to 35% off services to protect your financial health through IdentityIQ.
You’ll get credit report monitoring, identity theft protection services and upgraded access to ScoreCasterIQ®, a tool that analyzes your credit report and provides personalized recommendations to reach your credit goals.
Get the knowledge to protect your financial health today with IdentityIQ.
Our Security Articles
Read our articles to learn how to identify and avoid fraud, as well as how to ensure your credentials meet current security standards.
The Dos and Don’ts of Cyber Security
Strong Passwords & Password Managers
Avoid Fraud: Tips on How to Identify and Handle Fraud Attempts
We also encourage you to continue reading below for common scams, additional security tips, and instructions on how to report suspected fraud to Wheelhouse.
CURRENT SCAMS |
CALLS OR TEXT FROM YOUR FINANCIAL INSTITUTION
THE SCAM
- Fraudster spoofs a financial institution’s caller ID and phone number, posing as a bank representative
- Fraudster requests your online banking credentials, Social Security Number, debit card PIN and/or other private information
PREVENTING THIS SCAM
- Remember: Wheelhouse will NOT CALL or TEXT you for personal information
- DO NOT give out your private information
- Hang up immediately and call the Member Services number on the back of your debit/credit card.
Additional Steps – Set up account alerts in Digital Banking to monitor account activity. To set up alerts: Log into Digital Banking > Settings > Notifications. For card alerts, download the Wheelhouse Card App to receive transaction alerts for all your Wheelhouse Cards.
COMPUTER SECURITY ALERT
THE SCAM
- A ‘Computer Scan Alert’ pop-up message appears with a phone number to call
- Calling the number puts the potential victim in touch with fraudsters pretending to be from Microsoft Tech Support
- Victims may be asked for their digital banking credentials or to purchase gift cards
- fraudster will say it is either to “move money into a secure location while the computer is being fixed” or to “pay for the fix” with a gift card
PREVENTING THIS SCAM
- DO NOT call a number that unexpectedly pops up
- Remember, companies like Microsoft WILL NOT CALL you and offer help
- Tech Support companies WILL NOT ASK for your banking or personal information
- Be suspicious of any pop-ups on your computer
- DO NOT ALLOW remote access to your computer by anyone
- Always call your financial institution for assistance. Wheelhouse is here for you
Suspect you’ve been a victim? Call Wheelhouse immediately at 619-297-4835.
FAKE FRIENDS
THE SCAM
- Fraudster request to be friends on Facebook, Snapchat, Tinder and other social media platforms
- Fraudster gathers information about the victim
- Fraudster attempts to take over victim’s bank account
Note: Sometimes the fraudster will text or call the victim after an accepted friendship. The aim: to gather more information about you.
PREVENTING THIS SCAM
- DO NOT post identifying information on social media
- This includes, birthdate, pets names, nicknames and more
- DO NOT give out your account number
- NEVER give out your password
- Use Two-Factor Authentication
Remember, Wheelhouse Credit Union will not ask you for your password.
PACKAGE DELIVERY SCAM
THE SCAM
- Fraudsters contact victims claiming to be a mail carrier, delivery service, retailer, or ecommerce brand via phone call, email, or SMS message and says that they were unable to deliver a package as expected.
- The messages will often contain a link to a false tracking number, which either directs the user to a phishing website or directly downloads malware onto the device being used to access the message.
- The messages often imitate the branding of large courier companies which can add to their perceived legitimacy.
- The messages typically ask the intended victims to verify private information and payment details to “reschedule” the delivery as an attempt to commit identity or financial fraud.
- The false package delivery notifications contain attachments with once clicked to open, install malware like ransomware on the individual device or network.
PREVENTING THIS SCAM
- DO NOT respond to phishing emails or pop-up messages
- DO NOT click on links within emails
- Call known phone numbers of the sender to verify the validity of the notification
- DO NOT provide personal information or banking credentials
TECH SUPPORT
THE SCAM
- Fraudster calls or emails the victim posing as a representative of a security software company
- The caller ID or email address may be spoofed to appear legitimate
- Fraudster says your computer system has been compromised and personal or banking information was stolen
- Sometimes the fraudster remotes into the victim’s computer to display an error message or similar
- Fraudster offers a “solution” and asks for payment in the form of a “one-time fee” or “subscription”
- Fraudster may also wiring money to an international account for “security”
PREVENTING THIS SCAM
- DO NOT provide someone remote access to your computer
- DO NOT provide personal information such as online banking credentials and banking account numbers
- DO NOT respond to phishing emails or pop-up messages
Suspect you’ve been a victim? Call Wheelhouse immediately at 619-297-4835.
UNEMPLOYMENT BENEFITS
THE SCAM
- Fraudster targets a victim to carry out the scam on their behalf
- Fraudster may use a romance, “catfishing” or work-from-home scheme to lure the victim into assisting
- Fraudster may ask the victim for their banking credentials to “deposit funds”
- Fraudster may ask the victim to cash a check for them and forward the money to them
PREVENTING THIS SCAM
- DO NOT provide your online banking credentials or banking information
- DO NOT deposit checks from unknown sources into your account
- Remember: Legitimate companies WILL NOT “overpay” for services rendered and/or ask for money to be wired back
Suspect you’ve been a victim? Call Wheelhouse immediately at 619-297-4835.
COMMON SCAM METHODS |
Phishing
The most common phishing email is: ‘An attempt was made to log into your account, please reset your password using this link.’
Solution – Do not click on any link and/or provide information requested by an email source. Plus, monitor suspicious activity on your accounts by setting up alerts on all digital services and applications.
Threatening Voicemail Messages
The most common threatening voicemail is: ‘The Social Security Department has suspended your account, call to speak to an agent to stop the adverse action now.’
Solution – Do not offer any information to the requested source, as the Internal Revenue Service, Social Security Department or other government entities do not contact individuals by phone.
ATM/Card Skimmers
The most common skimming scam is when a device, designed to read and capture card information, is attached to an ATM so that the perpetrators can duplicate your card and initiate transactions.
Solution – Protect your PIN when using a public electronic keyboard by shielding your input from onlookers and cameras. Download our Mobile Banking app and Card App and enroll to receive account alerts to proactively manage your account activities. You may also utilize our card suspension capabilities to turn off your card at any time. Reference the back of your cards to report a lost or stolen card. Wheelhouse Card Services: 844-484-0045 Option #2.
Account Takeovers
Account takeovers can come in many forms, however, the most common method lately has been when a perpetrator takes over your Apple ID, email account, social media properties and/or hacks into a service that stores your personal information.
Solution – Do not share your password. Enroll in two-factored authentication, when available. Contact the company’s customer hotline and notify them if you suspect you have been a victim of fraud.
TIPS FOR PROTECTING YOUR INFORMATION |
Set a Strong Password
The longer the better—something you can remember but difficult for someone else to guess. You can use a string of words for a password, for example; 1LOVEWheelhouseCU. Change your password regularly.
Use Two-Factor Authentication
This adds another layer of security, supplementing your username and password with a code that only you have access to (typically sent to you by email, text or telephone call). We recommend you set this up as part of your digital banking login.
Monitor Your Account Activity
You are the first line of defense in detecting and defending fraudulent activity on your accounts. Keep an eye out for unfamiliar transactions, and set up account alerts to notify you of large transactions.
Secure Your Mobile Device
Keep your device up-to-date with the latest operating system and security updates. Do not modify the device software, install applications outside the established application stores, nor allow in Settings unknown developer sources to install applications, use strong passwords and available security biometrics such as TouchID or facial recognition features to unlock the device and use the manufacturer’s device recovery or location detection to erase data remotely if lost or stolen.
Be Very Careful with Your Personal Secure Information
Don’t give personal information to unsolicited callers. Don’t click on links in emails that ask for your personal information. Don’t respond to voicemails or phone calls asking to verify account information, reactivate service or threats of adverse action to your account. Don’t visit suspicious websites or follow links you don’t trust.
Protect Your Identity
Visit the Federal Trade Commission’s Identity Theft website or call 1-877-IDTHEFT (438-4338) to learn how to minimize your risk of damage from a potential theft of your identity.
Communicating Safely with Wheelhouse
Wheelhouse Credit Union will never call, email or otherwise contact you and ask for:
- Your online banking username, password, or other Digital Banking credentials.
- Your credit or debit card number or PIN.
- Your personal information, such as Social Security Number, Card Numbers, PINs or passwords.
- Remote access to your PC due to a compromise, virus or malware.
If you have a question about a Wheelhouse Credit Union email or text, do not click on any link or respond to the text message. Send us a secure message by logging into online banking or contact us by calling 888-907-3628.
Online Security and Cookies
To protect the information you provide us online, we use multiple levels of security. The application information we accept online and our Digital Banking service relies on industry standard “Secure Sockets Layer” (SSL) encryption to secure your transaction information and communication. When you visit our website, you can access site information, without revealing your personal identity. However, in order to help us identify you for future site visits, we use “cookies” to track your visit. A “cookie” is a piece of information that our web server stores on your computer hard drive and retrieves later. The cookie will not request, require or collect personal identity information and you remain anonymous. Your member information is not accessed by or stored within a cookie in any way.
COMPUTER SECURITY TIPS |
Keep your computer up-to-date
Protect your computer through the use of active, up-to-date anti-virus software and firewall protection. Keep your operating system, browser, and other applications updated with the latest security patches.
Use secure connections
Avoid making online transactions while at wireless hotspots or Internet cafés. Always check for the browser “lock” icon in the URL address bar. Be aware that this only signifies a secure communication channel, not necessarily a legitimate website.
Monitor Your Transactions
Log in and check your account statements or transaction history regularly. Report any suspicious or unauthorized transactions immediately.
Monitor Your Credit Report
Check credit reports to spot accounts that may have been opened without your knowledge.
Always Logout
When finished with Digital Banking, use the “Logout” option. This completely logs you out, avoiding any potential unauthorized use. When stepping away from your computer use the Logout option as well; Wheelhouse Credit Union system will time out after a short period, but not immediately.
When you create your Digital Banking account, you will be asked for the following information:
- Member Number
- Social Security Number
- Date of Birth
- You will also be asked to provide one of the two following pieces of information: E-mail address or Zip Code
- Minimum eight characters in length
- Must include one numeric digit
- Must include one uppercase character
- Must include one lowercase character
- It is highly recommended that you set up two factor authentication as part of your login process.
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