The security of your personal information is a primary goal of First Community. That is why we will never ask you for confidential information, like full social security number, full bank account number, debit or credit card numbers, CVV or PIN in an email or via a web site, or from an unsolicited phone call or text message. If you receive a suspicious email, text message or phone call requesting confidential information, it is not from First Community.
Please report suspicious, unsolicited phone calls or text messages by calling our Information Center at 636-728-3333. We are happy to help answer any questions that you may have and appreciate your cooperation as we take more steps to protect you and your accounts.
Businesses beware! If you are a small business, look out for fraudulent services offering to help process your PPP loan. It may be a scam. Make sure you are using a reputable service before you share your business records or pay a fee.
Phone Spoofing:
We have had recent reports of spoofing, or replicating, First Community phone numbers where individuals pretend to be employees of the credit union. These calls and texts do not originate from the credit union or its employees. Unfortunately, these types of scams are becoming increasingly common, and any financial institution, business, or even individual is susceptible to being spoofed for the purposes of identity theft and fraud.
Your money and account information are secure at First Community, but for it to remain so, you must be vigilant in protecting your personal and account information.
First Community with never contact you and ask for:
· Personal identifying information including Social Security Numbers
· Account numbers
· Debit card or credit card numbers
· Online banking login information
· A one-time passcode (OTP) sent to you via text or email
Some of these pieces of information such as account number or personal identifying information (including your zip code) may be asked for identity verification purposes when you call the First Community Information Center; however, do not provide this information to anyone who reaches out to you unexpectedly asking for these details.
Other red flags to look out for:
- You are asked to download software to your phone or computer
- You are asked to click on unexpected or unknown links
- The caller tells you to act urgently
- Any authorization texts or emails from mobile wallet sources that you did not initiate (Apple Pay, Samsung Pay, Google Pay, Fitbit Pay, etc.)
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Check Deposits - How to Avoid Loss
Have you recently received a check and are eager to cash it or deposit it? If you have any doubts about the check or payee, did you know you may be responsible for any loss that might occur? Please click here to learn more.
Best Practices for Online & Mobile Banking
- Create a ‘strong’ password with at least 8 characters that includes a combination of letters, numbers and symbols
- Change your password frequently and don’t repeat passwords across different login sites
- Avoid using automatic login features for financial sites
- Never share your username and password with ANY third party provider
- NEVER share your information with any person you meet on social media sites, as this is a common platform for scammers to use to steal your information and commit fraud on your account.
- Be wary of any person or company who says they need your online banking username and password in order to deposit money to your account. This is not true and is indicative of someone trying to scam you or commit fraud using your account.
- Notify the credit union immediately if you feel you’ve been a victim of online banking fraud
Best Practices to Avoid Identity Theft
The most pressing and immediate threat with a breach is identity theft, and the best thing you can do is follow these identity protection tips:
- Use Card Controls on your First Community debit and credit cards to receive real-time, in-app alerts any time your card is used, letting you know immediately if there are unauthorized purchases on your card.
- Review your credit report. Consumers are allowed one free copy every 12 months. Stagger your requests between the three credit bureaus requesting one every three months instead of all at the same time
- Don't respond to email, text or telephone calls asking for personal or financial information
- Be vigilant with your bank and credit card accounts by frequently reviewing account activity and immediately reporting unauthorized transactions
- If fraud has occurred on your account, place fraud alert with credit bureaus
- Be prepared to file your taxes early
For more information, visit Stop the Data Breaches.
Skimming Devices
Incidents of skimming devices being installed on ATM machines are on the rise in our area. The FBI, U.S. Secret Service and/or local law enforcement are always involved in ATM skimming investigations. Law enforcement agencies are looking into ways to combat skimming, including altering the design of ATMs and modifying the magnetic stripe technology. Your best protection however is your own vigilance.
The following are some tips to help you avoid becoming a skimming victim:
- Call the credit union (636-728-3333) immediately if you believe there is an actual or a potential problem with your card.
- Keep your PIN safe. Don't give it to anyone. Cover the pin pad while entering your PIN with your other hand if possible.
- Watch out for people who try to "help" you at an ATM.
- Look at the ATM before using it. If it doesn't look right, don't use it. Examples include loose card reader, card doesn't insert smoothly, or you see scratches, sticky tape residue or any type of liquid or gel. Newer ATMs have a flashing or steady light at the card slot. If it's obscured, suspect tampering.
- If an ATM has any unusual signage, don't use it.
- If your card is not returned after the transaction has been completed--or after you press Cancel--immediately contact the credit union.
Always check your statements to be sure there are no unusual withdrawals. Better yet, use Card Controls within the First Community app (and online banking), and get messages every time a transaction posts to your account.
Learn more about skimming devices and how to protect yourself.
Debit Card Fraud Detection and Notification System
As part of our commitment to protecting the security of your First Community debit card, we continuously monitor for possible fraudulent activity. If the activity on your account seems suspicious, we will make every effort to reach you before we disable your card. Previously, we have only done this by attempting to call. But with our new enhancements, we can now contact you by text and email to verify your account activity. If we do not receive a timely reply to the text or email, we will still call you by phone. Please make sure we have your updated contact information on file. Remember, you will never be asked to give your debit card number. You will verify whether the transaction information is accurate. If you have any questions, feel free to call us directly at 636-728-3333.
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