*MCU will never initiate a call asking for your personal account information, such as your debit or credit card number, expiration date, the 3-digit security code on the back of your card, or PIN number. If you ever receive a call requesting this information, call us immediately.
Fraud Prevention Tips, Resources, and Recommendations
Scam Alert!
Recently, scammers have been contacting individuals while pretending to be MCU employees. These types of scams are known as social engineering. Bad actors may impersonate trusted individuals or organizations in order to perpetrate fraud.
Scammers will often gather personal information, from the dark web or through open-source information like social media, to gain trust. These calls may sound convincing, but their goal is to trick you into transferring money or revealing sensitive information. If you receive a call like this, it’s important to slow down and evaluate with caution.
Remember: Memorial Credit Union will NEVER contact you and:
- Ask for your personal, financial or online account information
- Request that you send money
- Ask to shadow your device
- Instruct you to take action within your mobile app or online banking
- Unexpected contact? Confirm directly with the sender using independently verified contact information.
- Phishing emails or texts? Don’t click links or share info from unknown sources
- Unusual phone calls? Caller ID can be spoofed, be cautious
- Unfamiliar transactions? Check your accounts often and report anything suspicious.
If you receive a suspicious call, hang up and contact us directly at 713.778.6300
How to report identify theft if you are a victim
- Review your statements and report all cases of fraud
- Contact your financial institutions immediately, including MCU and all credit card issuers
- Contact the three major credit bureaus and request a copy of your credit report and notify them of the situation
What You can do to Protect Yourself
- Enter your personal information only on secure websites. Look for a “lock” on the browser or “https” at the beginning of the website address to ensure the site is secure.
- Never respond to emails or text messages asking you for your personal banking or credit card information, including credit card numbers or PINs.
- Never use email to send your confidential information, since internet email is not secure. To send us a secure message, use the Contact Us section of this website.
- Do not open emails or text messages if you don’t recognize the sender’s name. When in doubt, delete!
- Change passwords regularly using a mixture of upper and lower case characters and numbers. Use passwords that are not easily guessed. Do not share password information with anyone. Do not use the same passwords for multiple websites.
- Be wary of promotional scams. Identity thieves may use phony offers, over-the-phone, through email, via text message, etc., to get you to give them your personal information.
- Update anti-virus software and security patches to your system software regularly. Also, be sure and perform software updates to your mobile devices, too, to avoid malware specifically targeting smartphones, tablets and other similar electronics.
- Review your credit report once a year, and tear up or shred any pre-approved credit offers that you do not want.
- Check your monthly statements to verify all transactions and notify your financial institution of any suspicious transactions.
- Be cautious about giving confidential information over the phone, or through text message, to callers you don’t know.
Free Annual Credit Report
Per federal law, every consumer is entitled to one free annual credit report from each major credit reporting agency. To receive your free annual credit report, you may either call (877) 322-8228 or order online at annualcreditreport.com.
Equifax
www.equifax.com
Order report, call: 800-685-1111
Report fraud, call: 800-525-6285
TDD 800-255-0056
P.O. Box 740241
Atlanta, GA 30374-0241
Experian
www.experian.com
Order report, call: 888-397-3742
Report fraud, call: 888-397-3742
TDD 800-972-0322
P.O. Box 9532
Allen TX 75013
Transunion
www.transunion.com
Order report, call: 800-888-4213
Report fraud, call: 800-680-7289
TDD 877-553-7803
P.O. Box 6790
Fullerton, CA 92834-6790
File a complaint with the Federal Trade Commission (FTC).
The FTC maintains a database of identity theft cases used by law enforcement agencies for investigations. Filing a complaint also helps them learn more about identity theft and the problems victims are having so they can better assist you.
Other Resources
Take Control of your Debit Card
Taking control of your MCU debit card is easy with Card Control, a free security solution that enables superior control of your MCU debit card through our online services and Mobile App. Learn more.
Protect Yourself from ID Theft
Identity theft occurs when someone uses your personal information — name, Social Security number, credit card numbers, etc. — without your consent in order to commit fraud or other crimes. Here are some tips to avoid it. Learn more.
Skimming and Common Scams
Scammers employ mechanical devices including credit card skimmers, and social engineering methods such as email phishing, to obtain your personal information. Learn about different types of financial scams and how to spot (and avoid) them here.