TRUE Community Credit Union will never contact you to ask for sensitive information.
If you receive a phone call or text from someone claiming to be a representative of TRUE Community Credit Union, don't click any links and don't provide any personal or account information. Hang up, block the number, and delete the text. If you did click a link or feel your account could be compromised, please call us immediately at 517.784.7101 or 800.554.7101.
Text Scams on the Rise
We want to remind you that TRUE Community Credit Union will NEVER text you links or ask for sensitive info. If you receive a text message claiming to be from TRUE Community Credit Union, DO NOT click any links or give any sensitive information. Block the number and delete the text. If you did click the link or feel your account could be compromised, please call us immediately at 517.784.7101.
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Our Practices
We are always looking for new ways to stop fraud faster and with our enhanced fraud prevention tools we can do just that. We've always monitored your account for fraud, but now we can quickly text you if we see something suspicious. If you receive a fraud alert message, simply respond whether the transaction was yours or not. And don't worry — if you miss our text we'll also try to call you. Please contact our Risk Management Department with any fraud issues.
For your protection and for increased account security we may ask additional questions to properly verify your identity. Unfortunately, if someone was able to obtain information about you and attempt to steal your identity, they would most likely have your name, date of birth, and social security number. Therefore, we may verify additional information with you. Please be assured these questions are asked because your account security is of the utmost importance to TRUE Community Credit Union.
Skimmers
Skimming is the capture of a card’s magnetic strip data and PIN as it is being used at an ATM or other devices. Fraudsters attach skimmers to payment devices such as ATMs and gas station pumps. They are then able to use the information to make fake cards, purchase goods, or sell the information.
To curb this fairly common scam, you can:
- Examine machine facades for evidence of tampering such as sticky residue. Try pulling on the card reader to ensure it is not loose.
- Look for security measures at gas stations, such as security seals.
- Check the card readers every time you use one.
Phishing Websites
On a Phishing website, you are tricked into providing information, including login credentials and other sensitive information, to cyber criminals. Identifying a phishing website can be challenging, as attackers often create fake websites that look identical to legitimate ones.
Below are ways to help identify phishing websites:
1. Check the URL: A phishing website's URL is easy to see. Phishing websites often have various URLs. Phishing websites may utilize misspelled URLs like "www.googlee.com" instead of "www.google.com".
2. Look for the padlock: SSL/TLS encryption protects most trustworthy websites. The address bar shows a padlock. Phishing websites may not have a padlock symbol.
3. Check for spelling and grammatical mistakes: Phishing websites may include errors.
4. Avoid urgent requests: Phishing websites employ urgency to induce consumers to respond immediately. Phishing websites may request rapid action.
Always be cautious. Avoid submitting personal information and call the firm to check a website's legitimacy if you're doubtful.
QR Codes
Best practices when scanning QR codes:
- Be aware of your surroundings. If you scan a QR code in public, pay attention to who else is nearby. Scanning a QR code could lead to you downloading malware or opening up your device to hackers.
- Use antivirus software and firewall protection on your phone. Antivirus software can help protect your phone against viruses and other forms of malware that can come from scanning QR codes.
- Don’t scan a QR code that looks like it’s been printed on a piece of paper or cardboard or one that has been written out by hand. If you are unsure whether the QR code is real or fake, don’t scan it. Also, be careful when scanning codes found on vehicles, especially if they have been defaced in some way.
- Before scanning any QR code, make sure you know where it came from and who created it. Ask someone about its origin to determine if it is safe to scan.
- Always scan from a secure connection, but if you are scanning from an insecure connection (such as public Wi-Fi), do not enter any personal information into the app or web page that pops up after scanning the code! This includes usernames and passwords. If a website asks for personal information (like credit card numbers) before offering any content or services in exchange, this is likely a phishing scam and should not be entered into your device!
- TRUE Community Credit Union QR codes are used for surveys and giveaways. We will NEVER ask for your personal account information.
Lottery Scams
If you can answer YES to any of these questions, you may be a victim of a scam:
Did you receive a check from the lottery even though you did not play the lottery?
Did you receive a check from a foreign lottery even though you've never played that lottery?
Did you know it's against the law for a U.S. citizen to play a foreign lottery?
Tax Season Scams
When you're filing your taxes this year, consider these helpful tips.
Be careful responding to emails you receive from "tax companies" requesting that you click on the link they have provided to enter your personal information.
Also beware of phone calls, text messages and/or suspicious mail you receive requesting your personal information in order to do your taxes.
Always make sure when you're filing your taxes, you are always conducting your business with a legitimate organization that you trust.
Read more about common scams the IRS sees.
Common Scams
If you can answer "yes" to any of the following questions, you could be involved in a fraud or are about to be scammed. Contact us immediately at (517) 784-7101 to be directed to our Risk Management Department.
Did you respond to an email requesting you to confirm, update, or provide your account information?
Did you receive a check from an item you sold on the internet?
Is the amount of he check more than the item's selling price?
Did you receive the check via an overnight delivery service?
Is the check connected to communicating with someone by email?
Is the check drawn on a business or individual account that is different from the person buying your item or product?
Have you been informed that you were the winner of a lottery that you did not enter?
Have you been instructed to either wire, send, or ship money as soon as possible to a large U.S. city or to another country (such as Canada, England, or Nigeria)?
Have you been asked to pay money to receive a deposit from another country (such as Canada, England, or Nigeria)?
Are you receiving pay or a commission for facilitating money transfers through your account?
There's a new type of Internet piracy called "phishing." It's pronounced "fishing," and that's exactly what these thieves are doing: "fishing" for your personal financial information. What they want are account numbers, passwords, Social Security numbers, and other confidential information that they can use to loot your checking account or run up bills on your credit cards.
In the worst case, you could find yourself a victim of identity theft. With the sensitive information obtained from a successful phishing scam, these thieves can take out loans or obtain credit cards and even driver's licenses in your name. They can do damage to your financial history and personal reputation that can take years to unravel. But if you understand how phishing works and how to protect yourself, you can help stop this crime.
Additional Resources
Help fight con artists by reporting suspicious activity that can help millions of other consumers avoid scams.
Michigan's Attorney General has resources to learn about consumer protection, as well as how to fight it and report it.
The federal government's division is dedicated to protecting America's consumers.
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