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Security

Avoiding Scams

Avoiding Scams

Remember that LBS Financial already has your account information. We will NEVER call, text or email you and ask for your personal information. Protect yourself from phishing scams over the phone and through email by refusing to give out personal information.

Phishing emails and phone scams generally try to generate fear and a sense of urgency in the victim. If you have any questions or concerns about your account, please don’t hesitate to call us at 800.527.3328 or drop by a branch. You can report scams by sending an email to abuse@lbsfcu.org. We know that phishing attempts can be scary! We’re here to help keep your account and identity safe.

We do our best to monitor your accounts, but it’s also best that you check your accounts regularly for signs of suspicious activity. If you notice any strange activity on your accounts, please contact us immediately.

Don’t share your personal information, and be careful what websites you visit, download from, and enter personal information into. For more information about identity theft, visit http://www.identitytheft.gov

Credit Reports

Credit Reports

Consumers can pull their credit report for free once a year from each of the three major credit bureaus. We’d recommend that you obtain one report at a time, spread out over the course of the year. This allows you to gain information on your credit throughout the year rather than all at once, so you are informed if anything new is reported. Visit www.annualcreditreport.com to get started.

You may also obtain a free credit report if it was used to deny you a product or service. Consumers may also obtain credit reports at any time by paying a small fee to the credit reporting agencies.

Equifax

Equifax

LBS Financial, like almost all major financial institutions, reports loan-related information to Equifax and the other two major credit reporting bureaus. In 2017, Equifax announced a breach of security that impacted over 143 million people. Sensitive consumer data, including names, Social Security numbers, driver’s license numbers, and addresses could’ve been accessed. You can see Equifax’s report of the breach at www.equifaxsecurity2017.com.

The impact of this breach may take years to realize as criminals sell information and may be holding it for a period of time before they start to use it.

You can add a code word to use when calling the Credit Union as an additional verification step. Continue to review your account statements regularly and discuss anything unusual with the Credit Union immediately. You may even opt to reach out to each of the three credit reporting agencies (Equifax, Transunion, and Experian) and place a freeze on your credit. This can ensure no one else opens new credit in your name (and you can remove the freeze when you need to apply for new credit).

– Experian – http://www.experian.com  or 888.397.3742
– Equifax – www.equifax.com or 800.525.6285
– Trans Union – www.transunion.com or 800.680.7289

Thwart Identity Theft

Thwart Identity Theft

Don’t let a thief steal your identity! Here are a few simple tips to keep them away:

  • A lost or stolen wallet is a goldmine of information. Don’t carry extra credit cards, checks, Social Security card and even health insurance cards. Be sure to photocopy everything that’s left, being careful to record emergency phone numbers. Keep these copies in a very safe place.
  • Use LBS Financial Direct Deposit for any checks that are mailed to you on a regular basis.
  • Before revealing personal identifying information, find out how it will be used and if it will be shared with others. Does your local video store really need to know your social security number? How about your gym?
  • Pay attention to your billing cycles. Follow up with creditors if bills do not arrive on time. Review them each month to identify any unusual charges. Thieves sometimes test you prior to making a large hit.
  • Order a free copy of your credit report from the three credit reporting agencies every year. Make sure it’s accurate and includes only those activities you’ve authorized. Visit www.annualcreditreport.com to download your free annual reports.
  • Use a cross-cut shredder to destroy charge receipts, credit applications and offers, insurance forms, bank checks and statements.

LBS Financial Credit Union does everything in its power to keep your personal information just that, personal. Be sure to use the tips above to help thwart this growing concern. Also, visit www.identitytheft.gov

In the Event of Theft

In the Event of Theft

If you notice transactions on your LBS Financial Credit Union account(s) that do not belong to you, please contact us immediately to investigate. Additional steps are below if you find yourself a victim of fraud or identity theft.

ATM Security
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ATM Security

Protecting yourself at the ATM is critical. Some ATMs may have skimming devices or cameras placed by criminals trying to capture your card information and personal identification number (PIN). Follow these steps and check out our short video.

  • Make sure the ATM is secure
  • Cover your hand when you enter your PIN
  • Check statements for unusual purchases