Telco Credit Union is a full-service not-for-profit financial institution serving over 10,000 members. With locations in Tarboro/Rocky Mount and Greenville, North Carolina, we offer many services after becoming a member. Some of our services include checking and savings accounts, mortgages, and many types of loans. By joining as a member of Telco Credit Union, you will see that your profits are returned to you as higher dividends on savings, lower interest rates on loans, and accessing many products and services at less cost.
Investing in any type of financial institution has its advantages, but you also risk fraud. We want all of our members at Telco Credit Union to be aware of how to prevent fraud. Here are some helpful tips to help prevent fraud:
- When putting in your personal identification number to take out funds from your checking or savings account, make sure that no one can see you enter your PIN. If you’re uncomfortable with entering your PIN on a public machine because of the risk of fraud, you can also select “credit” instead of “debit” when withdrawing money.
- When shopping in person or using a public ATM, be aware of your surroundings. Report any unusual activities to your credit union if you notice anything specific.
- Make sure you review your accounts frequently. For some, this may be checking your credit cards, savings, and checking accounts daily. If you notice anything suspicious, report the activity as soon as possible.
- If you have paper checks, make sure you are careful with them. Store any voided checks safely to prevent counterfeit checks or unauthorized transactions.
- Don’t open suspicious emails from unknown parties, but if you do, never click any links within them.
- When you access your credit union’s authorized website, avoid any fake websites attempting to steal your information. Make sure the web address in the address bar of your web browser looks right before proceeding.
- Never leave your purse, wallet, or cards unattended, even when you’re comfortable.
- Finally, if a financial offer seems too good to be true, it probably is! Use caution.
At Telco Credit Union, we know that online fraud is serious and can happen to anyone. To help maintain the security of your online accounts, follow these tips:
- Always protect your PINs and passwords. Create passwords that are not obvious; don’t include readily identifiable information like names, birthdays, or phone numbers.
- Change your passwords and access codes frequently.
- Never reveal your access codes or passwords to anyone, unless in the case of an emergency.
- Never send private account or personal information via email, including identification numbers, amounts, or share/loan identification numbers. Remember that once an email is sent, you cannot get that information back.
- As always, notify your credit union if you receive any suspicious email or telephone inquiries. You will know when you’re speaking with a representation of your credit union; no one else should be asking for that kind of account information or online passwords.
Like many things, when it comes to fraud, it’s better to be safe than sorry! If you ever have any questions or concerns about your financial security, don’t hesitate to contact us at Telco.