Protect Your Accounts.
Stay One Step Ahead.
Learn how to identify scams, report suspicious activity, and keep your Wheelhouse accounts secure.
Need Help? Take Action Here.
Three powerful pillars of value — built into your Membership from day one.
Report Fraud
If you believe your account has been compromised, contact us immediately. Every minute counts.
Lost or Stolen Card
Lock your card and contact us right away. We’ll cancel the card and issue a replacement immediately.
Verify a Message
Not sure if a text, email, or call is legitimate? We can help you verify whether a message is really from us.
Current Scams
Stay informed about active threats targeting our Members.
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 say 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
- 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
Understanding how scams work is the first step to avoiding them. Learn to recognize the warning signs.
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 Yourself
Follow these simple steps to significantly reduce your risk of falling victim to fraud or scams.
Enable Account Alerts
Get notified of transactions and changes instantly
Use Strong Passwords and 2FA
Create unique, complex passwords for each account and set up two-factor authentication
Monitor Transactions
Review your account regularly for unauthorized activity
Secure Mobile Devices
Use biometrics and keep your apps updated
Avoid Public Wi-Fi
Never access banking on unsecured networks
Verify Before You Share
Always confirm who you’re speaking with before sharing info
Computer Security Tips
Keep your computer up-to-date
Use active, up-to-date anti-virus software and firewall protection. Keep your operating system, browser, and applications updated with the latest security patches.
Use secure connections
Avoid online transactions on public Wi-Fi or shared computers. Look for the browser “lock” icon, but remember it does not guarantee the website is legitimate.
Monitor Your Transactions
Always confirm who you’re speaking with before sharing info
Monitor Your Credit Report
Check your credit reports regularly for accounts opened without your knowledge.
Always Logout
Use the “Logout” option when finished with Digital Banking or stepping away from your computer. This helps prevent unauthorized access before the system times out.
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 619-297-4835.
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.