Security Center

Don't Fall Victim to Fraud Safeguard your information against fraudsters by staying informed.

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Your Sensitive Information
Be suspicious if you are contacted for account information. Arbor Financial Credit Union, and our business partners, will never initiate a request for sensitive information via phone, email, or text message. This information includes, but is not limited to:

> Social security number
> Passwords
> Secure access codes
> Account number
> Member number
> PIN numbers
> Credit or debit card number

Contact Arbor Financial Credit Union directly at 269.375.6702 if you have any questions or concerns.

Steps To Safeguard Your Information

Types of Scams

Become familiar with the types of scams that fraudsters use, so you can protect yourself against their tactics.

Phishing Scams

Phishing scams can come in the form of emails and text messages, appearing they are from a company or individual you know or trust, and often tell a false story to convince you to open a link or attachment. These types of scams can be used to steal personal information, like credit card numbers, PINs, or passwords. They may include claims of suspicious activity, a problem with your payment information, or eligibility for a government refund.

Stay informed on the most recent scams through the Federal Trade Commission. If you suspect that you have received a phishing attempt:
> Do not open any attachments, click on any links, or reply
> Report and delete it

IRS & Tax Scams

Often, fraudsters will use regular mail, telephone, or email for various scams related to the IRS, taxes, and unemployment benefits. Remember, the IRS does not initiate contact with taxpayers by email, text, or social media channels to request personal or financial information. Stay up-to-date on the latest scams by reading the IRS’ Tax Scams/Consumer Alerts.

Some scams targeting taxpayers include:
> Social security number scams with claims of being able to suspend or cancel the victim's SSN
> Identity theft and unemployment benefits
> IRS-Impersonation telephone scams

Fake Check Scams

Fake checks are used in many different scams. Some include:

> Secret/mystery shopping: Scammers will pretend to hire someone as a mystery shopper, telling them that their first assignment is to evaluate a retailer that sells gift cards or money orders. The mystery shopper receives a check with instructions to deposit it, and then wire the money to someone else, or purchase gift cards. Once a transaction of this kind happens, the scammer stops communicating.

> Car wrap decals: Scammers promise easy money if you shrink-wrap your car with ads for brands, such as Pepsi or Red Bull, and send a fake check to be deposited for decal installation through a non-existent company.

> Claiming prizes: Scammers send "winners" fake checks and are told to send money back to cover taxes, shipping & handling expenses, or other fees. Legitimate sweepstakes do not work like this.

> Overpayment claims: Scammers may purchase something from you online, claim to have accidentally sent a check for too much, and ask you to refund the balance.

If you receive a message that urges you to deposit a check and then wire money in return, it's a scam.

COVID-19 Related Scams

Fraudsters continue to try and scam people using many tools and by following news headlines to adapt their message. According to the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS), consumers should be on the lookout for these signs of vaccine scams:

> Requests that you pay out of pocket to receive a shot or get on a vaccine waiting list.
> Ads for vaccines on websites, social media posts, emails, or phone calls.
> Offers to sell or ship doses of COVID-19 vaccines.

Fraud Prevention

Fraudsters are using several different sophisticated tactics to target and scam victims, so it is vital to stay alert. Here are a couple of tips to get you started:

Monitor your account activity regularly for any unusual activity.
Sign up for real-time account alerts via email, text, online banking, or pushed through our mobile banking app.
Never share your bank account, credit card, or Social Security information with anyone who contacts you over the phone. If someone requests remote access to your computer or phone, hang up.
If something doesn’t seem right, end all communication. Fraudsters want you to make an impulsive decision, so be sure to do your research if you’re unsure of the legitimacy of communication.
Never open unexpected attachments or links in emails and texts.
Be cautious when making online transactions or with unknown third parties.

ID Protect

Now you can fight back. For just $3 a month, Arbor Financial is offering families 24/7 protection through ID Protect and Total Identity Monitoring, including access to a fraud specialist, debit and credit card registration, continuous monitoring of over 1,000 databases, and more!

Learn More

What To Do if You Become a Victim

If you suspect you may have fallen victim to identity theft, you should immediately:

1. Contact the three major credit bureaus and request a fraud alert be placed on your credit report.
> Equifax: 800-525-6285
> Experian: 888-397-3742
> TransUnion: 800-680-7289

2. Call Arbor Financial Credit Union at 269.375.6702 and ask for Membership Services.

Informative Articles

Blog - 10 Warning Signs It's Fraud - Stay informed and take actions to protect yourself and your family against fraud and scams. Read the article by clicking on the image.

Blog - protecting yourself against fraud - fraudsters use several different sophisticated tactics to target and scam victims, so it is vital to protect yourself.

Webinars on Demand

Here, you'll find previous webinars on topics such phishing, and common scams and fraud of Southwest Michigan! You can access these webinars anytime, anywhere and play them on demand.