Security
At Ascend Federal Credit Union your security is our top priority. That's why we are committed to providing you with the latest phishing alerts and fraud prevention tips. Visit this page regularly to receive important updates, announcements and information.
ALERT!
The Electronic Payments Association has received reports that individuals and/or companies continue to receive fraudulent emails that have the appearance of having been sent from the National Automated Clearing House Association (NACHA). These emails vary in content and appear to be transmitted from email addresses associated with the NACHA domain (@nacha.org). Some bear the name of fictitious NACHA employees and/or departments.
NACHA itself does not process or touch the ACH transactions that flow to and from organizations and financial institutions. NACHA does not send communicaitons to persons or organizations about individual ACH transactions that they orginate or receive.
Be aware that phishing emails frequently have attachments and/or links to Web pages that host malicious code and software. Do not open attachments or follow Web links in uncolicited emails from unknown parties or from parties with whom you do not normally communicate, or that appear to be known but are suspicious or otherwise unusual.
If malicous code is detected or suspected on a computer, consult with a computer security or anti-virus specialist to remove malicious code or re-install a clean image of the computer system. Always use anti-virus software and ensure that the virus signatures are automatically updated.
Important Information - Credit Card Fraud
While we hope you never have to experience a fraud situation, it's always best to be prepared. If you have lost or suspect your card has been stolen, please contact us during normal business hours at 1-800-342-3086. For after hours, please contact the relevant number below.
Lost/Stolen Cards
Freedom Cards
1-800-250-9655
Credit Cards
1-800-543-5073
Fraud Center
If you have been contacted by the Falcon Fraud Center and need to get back in touch with them, you may call them at the phone numbers below:
Freedom Card
1-800-813-5595
Credit Card
1-800-890-5097
Or, you may contact us at 1-800-342-3086 during normal business hours.
Important Information - Phishing
Please be aware that "phishing" scams are sometimes emailed to Ascend Federal Credit Union members and non-members. Phishing is a means to trick a user into visiting a fraudulent Web site, usually through a bogus link in an email.
Phishers send fraudulent emails containing authentic looking logos and graphics and ask for financial information.
If you get a message asking you to verify personal information, it did not come from your credit union. We will never send you a letter or email asking for your account numbers, user names, passwords, or Social Security number. If you get a message like that – do not respond.
If you've compromised any personal information through a phishing scam, contact your credit union immediately to change your account number. Then you should contact the following credit bureaus to report identity theft so that a fraud alert can be placed in your file:
- EQUIFAX - To report fraud call: (888) 766-0008 Equifax Credit Information Services, Inc, P.O. Box 105069, Atlanta, GA 30374 www.equifax.com
- EXPERIAN - To report fraud call: (888) 397-3742 Experian, P.O. Box 2104, Allen, TX 75013-2104 www.experian.com
- TRANS UNION CORPORATION - To report fraud call: (800) 680-7289 TransUnion LLC, Consumer Disclosure Center, P.O. Box 1000, Chester, PA 19022 www.tuc.com
Call your credit union at 1-800-342-3086 or visit one of the BALANCE links from our Web site to find out how to protect yourself from identity theft.
Avoiding Identity Theft
From postalinspectors.uspis.gov
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If the crime involved the U.S. Mail, contact your nearest U.S. Postal Inspection Service office and report it.
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Call the fraud units of the three major credit bureaus listed below and request a "fraud alert" be placed on your credit file. Check your monthly financial statements for accuracy.
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Order copies of your credit report from the credit bureaus listed below to check whether any fraudulent accounts were opened without your knowledge or consent. Report suspected credit card fraud to the three major credit reporting bureaus, which you may contact online or by phone:
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Equifax: 800-525-6285
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Experian: 888-397-3742
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TransUnion: 800-680-7289
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Contact your credit union and creditors, by phone and in writing, and report the crime. Request that your accounts be flagged and instruct them to contact you immediately if there is unusual activity on your account. You may be advised to close some or all of your accounts. At the least, change your PIN codes and passwords immediately.
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Record the names and phone numbers of people with whom you discussed your case and retain all original reports and supporting documents. Keeping accurate and complete records are a big step toward helping you resolve your problem.
- File your complaint online with the Federal Trade Commission, or call their Identity Theft Hotline at 1-877-IDTHEFT. The FTC has counselors to assist identity theft victims with resolving financial and other problems that can result from this crime.
Tax Scam Prevention Tips
Beware of tax scams – the IRS will not contact you by e-mail with the following requests:
- Fill out the attached form within 24 hours.
- You are being audited, please provide the following personal information.
- To obtain your refund faster, please complete the attached form.
- We have just discovered that you overpaid your taxes. Please provide your bank/credit union account information for direct deposit to your account.
