www.visionaryfcu.org 0676-Newsletter-0616 WINTER 2019 Card Skimming: Don’t be a victim! A lot of credit and/or debit card “skimming” fraud has been in the news recently. Card skimming isn’t a new crime, but it does seem to be making a comeback. So what is skimming exactly? And how can you keep your information safe? A skimmer is much like it sounds. It’s a reader that a thief installs on a payment terminal, such as a gas station pump – that literally “skims” the information on your card and harvests it and other people’s data. The thief will come back at a later time, retrieve the skimmer, and then use the collected data to make copies of debit cards or even hack into bank accounts. While EMV chip cards are becoming more common, the practice is still likely to continue. Consider the number of people, including yourself, that use a fuel pump daily, just as one example. Scary isn’t it? So how do you keep from becoming a victim? The top tip, according to experts, is to be aware of your surroundings. Use your hand to cover the keypad when entering your pin, and look around at your environment when making a transaction. Additionally, check the terminal for things that look out of place. Wiggle the card about when you insert it – is there movement in the reader device? There could be a false front. Pull at the reader component; is there movement there? Again, it could be a sign of tampering. In general, if it looks out of place, it just might be! Finally, to avoid becoming one of the thousands of people that have their card numbers stolen annually, use new technology to your advantage. Most retailers have EMV-enabled terminals and most credit/debit card providers, including Visionary Federal Credit Union, have reissued EMV chip cards to their customers in the past year. So, be sure to use your EMV card in an EMV-enabled terminal and/or ATM when conducting transactions. The chip embedded in the card, along with the card reader, provides more security against card skimming and other types of fraud. If you do suspect fraud, contact us immediately. To stay in front of the potential, make sure to keep a good eye on your account balance(s) and transactions, which you can do on Net Branch Online Banking, Touch (Mobile) Banking, or by calling us at 412-221-6660. We also offer Card Valet, an excellent tool that alerts you on your cell phone every time your card is used in a transaction. For more information and to enroll in this FREE tool, give us a call. GET CASH FOR YOUR COINS AND DONATE AT THE SAME TIME! Starting in October, all fees collected are going to be donated to a local or national charity. Stop by our branch now!
Transcript
www.visionaryfcu.org 0676-Newsletter-0616
WINTER 2019
Card Skimming: Don’t be a victim!A lot of credit and/or debit card “skimming” fraud has been in the
news recently. Card skimming isn’t a new crime, but it does seem to be making a comeback. So what is skimming exactly? And how can you keep your information safe?
A skimmer is much like it sounds. It’s a reader that a thief installs on a payment terminal, such as a gas station pump – that literally “skims” the information on your card and harvests it and other people’s data. The thief will come back at a later time, retrieve the skimmer, and then use the collected data to make copies of debit cards or even hack into bank accounts. While EMV chip cards are becoming more common, the practice is still likely to continue. Consider the number of people, including yourself, that use a fuel pump daily, just as one example. Scary isn’t it?
So how do you keep from becoming a victim? The top tip, according to experts, is to be aware of your surroundings. Use your hand to cover
the keypad when entering your pin, and look around at your environment when making a transaction. Additionally, check the terminal for things that look out of place. Wiggle the card about when you insert it – is there movement in the reader device? There could be a false front. Pull at the reader component; is there movement there? Again, it could be a sign of tampering. In general, if it looks out of place, it just might be!
Finally, to avoid becoming one of the thousands of people that have their card numbers stolen annually, use new technology to your advantage. Most retailers have EMV-enabled terminals and most credit/debit card providers, including Visionary Federal Credit Union, have reissued EMV chip cards to their customers in the past year. So, be sure to use your EMV card in an EMV-enabled terminal and/or ATM when conducting transactions. The chip embedded in the card, along with the card reader, provides more security against card skimming and other types of fraud.
If you do suspect fraud, contact us immediately. To stay in front of the potential, make sure to keep a good eye on your account balance(s) and transactions, which you can do on Net Branch Online Banking, Touch (Mobile) Banking, or by calling us at 412-221-6660. We also offer Card Valet, an excellent tool that alerts you on your cell phone every time your card is used in a transaction. For more information and to enroll in this FREE tool, give us a call.
GET CASH FOR YOUR COINS AND DONATE AT THE SAME TIME!
Starting in October, all fees collected are going to be donated to a local or national charity.
Stop by our branch now!
www.visionaryfcu.org
Monday, January 21Martin Luther King Jr. Day
Monday, February 18Presidents’ Holiday
Holiday Closings
0676-Newsletter-0616
$100 CASH REWARDWITH EVERY NEW LINEIt’s Sprint’s best Credit Union Member Cash Rewards offer ever — another BENefit of membership!
Visit LoveMyCreditUnion.org/Sprint to calculate your cash rewards.
Simplify your life and cut the clutter with “free” e-Statements from your credit union. They are convenient and secure.
e-Statement Benefits:
• Free, faster, and secure
• An email notification will be sent when your monthly statements become available
• Immediate online access to review, download and, if you wish, print your statements
• Access current and past e-Statements
• By removing the paper trail, you reduce the chance of mail fraud or identify theft
• You gain more flexibility and security in managing your accounts
Whether you want to save time, save a tree, or just get organized, e-Statements are the answer. Sign up today to reduce your carbon footprint and go paperless.
Should You Consolidate Your Debt?
If the looming new year has gotten you rethinking your financial management strategies, or lack thereof, this may be the perfect time to take control of your money matters. Imagine 2019 as the year you ditch that debt, rebuild your credit, and really reach some of those financial goals. With a Visionary Federal Credit Union Debt
Consolidation Loan you can do all of this and more.
This low-rate financing option provides a two-fold solution, allowing you to 1) lower monthly payments from things like post-holiday bills, high-interest credit card payments, vehicle loans, etc., and 2) keep a decent amount of cash in your wallet for daily expenses even while repairing your overall financial well-being. A Debt Consolidation Loan offers benefits like:
• Lower interest rates and payments
• A fixed payment
• Only one due date to remember
• Only one bill to pay
• More breathing room each month
• No more high-interest debt
• Credit score improvement
• Awareness of what you owe and when it will be paid off
Don’t wait until next year - say “YES” to debt consolidation now! To learn more or apply today, visit www.visionaryfcu.org, call 412.221.6660, or stop by any branch location.
VISA DEBIT AFTER HOURS 1.800.472.3272VISA CREDIT CUSTOMER SERVICE 1.844.348.7518VISA CREDIT CUSTOMER SERVICE INTERNATIONAL 1.301.945.35725,300+ NATIONWIDE BRANCHES www.sharedbranching.org 888.748.3266
