Protect My Identity
Be Vigilant – Steps To Protect Your Identity
April 5th, 2022: Phone and Text Scam: You Are Your Own Best Defense. Tips on How to Protect Yourself
Scammers, hackers, fraudsters and thieves are conniving and smart. This is how they make a living and they are very good at it. It is up to us to be vigilant in recognizing when a scam may be occurring.
The most important step is to stop and think. Don’t react immediately without a moment to pause and reflect. Even simple things to notice like if you receive a call during non-business hours. It could be a scam.
Protect yourself from fraudulent or malicious calls and text messages:
- Were you expecting the call or text?
- Does it threaten you by saying an account has been hacked or that you’re facing legal action?
- Does it plead with you to send personal information, click a link, or download something?
- Does the message contain poor grammar or misspelled words?
- Are there any suspicious links or unexpected attachments?
- Does the message offer unrealistic promises like large sums of money?
- Do you know the caller or sender?
- Check the number the call or text is coming from. Some numbers can be spoofed. This means the number that displays may look familiar, however, it routes back to another fraudulent line.
- If unsure, do not respond. Hang up. Dial the number directly. This will ensure you reach the real line.
- Think before you click
- Pause before you open attachments or click links in a text even if you know the sender.
- Never open unexpected attachments from anyone.
- Confirm with the sender that a message is legitimate or visit the official website by typing the address yourself.
- Do not give out personal data!
- There is some information that is public: name, address, phone number, even email. But full SS#, online account login credentials, PINS, and full card numbers are not public information and should NEVER be shared via phone call or text.
- From time to time, you may be asked to reset your own password, or re-PIN a card but we will NEVER ask you to disclose it or give it to us. Only thieves will ask for this information.
Recognizing tricks and techniques thieves use is key to staying safe. Be a “Human Firewall.” The most important layer is you. It’s okay to trust, but it’s better to verify everything.
April 2nd, 2022 Phone Scam: Text and Calls.
The scam from earlier this week has evolved into not only texting but spoofing (making it look like a legitimate number that redirects to the fraudsters) business phone numbers like ours and calling as well. Please be aware. We will not call you and ask for username, password, full SS#, or full card#. Please be vigilent and do not respond.
March 30th, 2022 - Texting Scam Alert
We have been made aware of an increase in text scams. Please be vigilant and do not share personal information. This one in particular asks if you have made a purchase at a retailer such as Wal-Mart. Then proceeds to ask for your online banking user name and password and goes on from there. First Source does not initiate texts of this nature. We never ask for your username or password. Please do not give out this information! If you are unsure, us directly. Do not click a link in this text.
January 5th, 2021 - Scam Alert
The good news is that stimulus checks are out. The bad news is, scammers are out too.
The most recent phone scam on the rise again with opportunistic criminals includes “spoofing” financial institutions’ phone numbers to look legitimate, and texting or calling individuals from these numbers in order to gain personal and financial information. Members should be wary of any unsolicited phone calls or text messages that require the verification of personal information or indicate a problem with their account. If you were not expecting a call or text message from your financial institution, please do not respond. Members are being asked to verify login credentials including username or password, and full social security, credit card or account numbers. PLEASE DO NOT GIVE THIS INFORMATION OUT.
As a general rule, financial institutions will not initiate a call to you requesting personal information or ask you to make a payment or transfer money. Those type of transactions are normally initiated by the Member. If you feel you are being targeted, do not respond to the text, hang up and contact First Source directly to verify you are speaking with a true representative. Report any activity that seems suspicious to our Member Care Center at 315-735-8571.
Together, we can live smarter, be vigilant and mitigate fraudulent risk.
Unemployment Benefits Scam Alert
We have been made aware of a current and widespread unemployment benefits scam involving asking for money upfront with a promise to pay the funds back, or funds given to you upfront with an ask to then return those funds.
Unfortunately, this is not a new scam, it just appears to be heightened at this particularly vulnerable time. It can come in the form of cash, check, direct deposit, pre-paid debit card, or other electronic money transfers.
As always, please be vigilant. If you were not expecting funds, or are receiving unexpected requests for funds, please do not immediately comply. Check first, and always verify before proceeding.
Here is some information from the Utica Police Department:
Learn More
Texting Scam Alert
We have also been made aware of yet another text scam that is circulating the area. This scam includes mortgage promotional information.
First Source does not currently send promotional information via text messages. If you feel you are being targeted, do not respond to the text and contact us directly to verify you are speaking with a true representative. Please be diligent about your financial records.
It’s important to be aware and protect yourself wherever you can from potential identity theft. Here are some steps you can take:
- Check your statements and transaction history often to ensure all the purchases are valid.
- When shopping online, make sure you’re on a secure site. The url should start with “https”. The “s” is for “secure”.
- When it’s time to process the online payment (check out), make sure there’s a security icon on the page; most often it appears as an image of a lock.
- Shred confidential information and solicitations. Rather than throw away, make sure that you shred confidential information and solicitations when you are done retaining them.
- Create strong passwords. Make sure that your online passwords vary and are at least 8 characters in length using a mix of upper and lowercase letters, numbers and special characters where logins will allow.