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Account News
For information on compromised debit cards, click on this
link
The
National Credit Union Administration (NCUA) has issued a warning
that e-mails from simulated NCUA e-mail boxes to members
of credit unions may be an attempt to obtain members’
confidential data.
These e-mails solicit credit union members’ participation
in an online survey or member survey and promise compensation
of $40 for responding. “The e-mails are fraudulent,”
NCUA said. “NCUA does not solicit such information from
credit union members. This is a phishing activity with no
NCUA activity or approval.”
DO NOT REPLY TO THIS SCAM! You will not be
solicited by First Service or NCUA to provide account information
by e-mail, text, or on the telephone.
_____________________________________
This
CREDIT UNION IS FEDERALLY INSURED BY THE NATIONAL CREDIT UNION
ADMINISTRATION. Your
federal savings insurance coverage at First Service has increased
from $100,000 to $250,000 until Dec. 31, 2013.
For additional information on this coverage you can
call First Service at 614/836-0100, the NCUA Insurance Call
Center at 1-800-755-1030, ext. 1 or visit www.ncua.gov/shareinsurance/index.htm
where you will also find an easy Share
Insurance Estimator to calculate your insurance coverage.
Bauer Financial Services has given First Service a 5-STAR
rating for Safety and Soundness. To see more click
here.
_______________________________________
NOTICE:
FirstCU Online Home Banking Site
Google Chrome and Safari (for Macs) have functioned
with our FirstCU Online home banking site but were not explicitly
supported by our vendor. We have been advised that both of
these unsupported web browsers have recently rolled out updates
which caused them to no longer function with our FirstCU Online
site. Our home banking vendor is working on an interface that
will again function with Chrome and Safari but we do not have
an estimated time of completion for this project. In
the mean time, members have the choice to revert back to the
older version of Chrome or Safari or use Internet Explorer
or Firefox to do online banking. Internet Explorer should
already be installed on all Windows PCs and Firefox can be
downloaded free at www.mozilla.org
for Windows, Linux and Macs.
_______________________________________
Switch
to First Service
We've Made It Easy - simply
print, sign and mail
Easy, pre-filled letters to switch your checking account,
direct deposit, and automated payments to First Service are
now available to you - convenient, quick and free!
Simply click on the "Switch
to First Service" link above.
Input your account information to pre-fill the letters you
choose. Then all you need to do is print, sign and mail.
_______________________________________
e-ALERTS
Notification for NSFs, low
checking balance, loan payments
and much more!
For e-mail notification
for
NSF activity, loan payment reminders, low balance notification,
and a lot more just click
on the "FirstCU Online Account
Access" link above and select "Other
Options". You may select from one to all of the e-Alerts
to fit your lifestyle . . . . they are
all FREE!
MOBILE
BANKING
Members
can now use Co-Op Mobile to obtain account balances, view
transactions, and make transfers between accounts. It's easy!
Click
here to go to https://www.co-opmobile.org and the
wizard will walk you through the steps for accessing account
information from your mobile device, including most smart
phones. Best of all, there is no monthly fee for this new
service!
_______________________________________
SCAM ALERTS
Advertisements
have been posted on Craigslist as part of member recruitment
scams nationwide. The ads solicit current credit union members
and offer $75.00 or more for their assistance in gaining membership
for ineligible individuals. THIS IS A SCAM and is targeting
credit unions and members across the country! If a person
lives, works, worships or attends school in Franklin County,
they qualify for membership at First Service and may join
without a sponsor. Don't fall for this SCAM!
The
"Work From Home" scam has also been proposed to
one member who received a check for $2,900 and was asked to
wire $2,335 from their credit union account through Western
Union. The check for $2,900 was to cover this wire as well
as their commission. WARNING - THIS IS A SCAM! The
check received is fraudulent and will not be paid but your
hard-earned money will be gone. Don't fall for this SCAM!
See
Additional Security Alerts below
_______________________________________
EXCESSIVE
WITHDRAWAL FEES
As a reminder to our members,
Federal Regulations limit savings account transfers and withdrawals
to only six per month. Your credit union is required to set
limits on accounts to stay within this policy. First
Service will charge an Excessive Withdrawal Fee of $3 each
for all savings transfers and withdrawals that exceed six
(6) transactions per month.
Money Market Transaction Limitation Fees
Federal
regulations also limit a Money Market Account to only six
withdrawals a month. First Service
will charge an Excessive Withdrawal Fee of $3 each for all
Money Market Account withdrawals, checks or transfers that
exceed six (6) transactions per month.
_______________________________________
SAFETY
TIPS
To avoid fraud and
theft • Do not open e-mails
or attachments from unknown senders • Do not respond
to cell phone text messages from unknown sources
• Do not provide information by phone, text or
e-mail when you did not initiate the contact.
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FRAUD ALERTS
° A
member reported a scam notice received through YAHOO Mail
that was addressed from another credit union to "Undisclosed
Recipients" that asks to "Restore Your Account".
This is fraud. DO NOT REPLY. We do not contact members by
e-mail or text message.
°
An IRS scam asks you to respond to them concerning your last
tax return. This is fraud. Do NOT REPLY. The IRS will not
ask you to verify information by e-mail or text.
Security Alert!
If
you receive a check to "work from home" and are
asked to wire funds back to the company from your account,
DO NOT! This is a SCAM.
Security Alert! Text
messages are being sent asking members to call because of
a credit union lock on their debit cards. The caller is then
asked account questions. DO NOT CALL!
This is a "smishing" scam for information on your
account. First Service does not send text messages to members.
First Service will not text or e-mail messages about your
account(s).
Security
Alert! If you are contacted
and asked to provide credit union account information to verify
your home or auto insurance, DO NOT!
This is a SCAM. Instead,
call your insurance agent at their direct number.
Security Alert!
If you receive a text message or e-mail
about your First Service account, DO
NOT REPLY! This is a SCAM.
We do not contact members by text message or e-mail to verify
or provide account information.
Security
Alert! If you receive a text
message that appears to be from NCUA about ATM cards, DO
NOT REPLY! This is a SCAM.
Security Alert! If
you receive an e-mail from "i-banking" or "i-business"
advising you to cut and paste a link to update your home banking,
do not take action! This e-mail was not sent by your credit
union.
Security
Alert! If you receive a text
message or a phone call stating that your account has possible
fraud and that you should call a number, do not take action!
This message is a "Smishing" SCAM
and was not sent by your credit union. First Service FCU does
not contact its members to request personal data.
Security
Alert! Identity thieves posing
as the Internal Revenue Service are sending spam E-mails promising
government economic stimulus packages. The message tells the
user to download the attachment which is masked as a form
to fill out and send to the IRS to receive their check. This
is a SCAM! The document
is an identity theft tool that steals the personal information
on the form.
Security
Alert! A second scam is being
used that promises more information on how to get "economic
stimulus grants". They present fake testimonials advising
of $100,000 checks received in only two weeks. It leads to
a site that requires personal information such as salary range,
e-mail address, mailing address, date of birth and a free
CD when the member enters credit card or debit card information
for the postage and handling. Another SCAM!
Beware
of Unsolicited Contacts By Phone or E-mail.
• Do not give you information to unknown callers
or verify E-mails unless you begin the transaction.
• Keep your checks, plastic cards, and personal
identification number(s) secure.
• Sign up for online banking by clicking the FirstCU
Online button above.
• Enjoy the safety and convenience of e-statements
Safety First. Remember, if something does not seem right,
it probably isn't. Call us at 614/836-0100 if you need
assistance or think your credit union account has been compromised.
_________________________________________
ELECTRONIC
FRAUD
Phishing - Vishing - Smishing
Fraud continues to evolve
as consumer’s knowledge and awareness of techniques increase.
The purpose of e-mail fraud is to get the consumer to provide
confidential information, such as account numbers, passwords
and social security numbers. The perpetrator then uses this
information to gain access to the consumer’s bank and
credit card accounts.
Below
is information to help keep you safe from the three forms
of e-mail fraud – phishing, vishing and smishing.
Tips
to Avoid Becoming a Victim of These Scams
• Never release personal
or account information to unsolicited E-mails, telephone
calls
or text messages.
• Protect your personal information. Be cautious to
whom you give information.
• Don’t click on links embedded in unsolicited
E-mails or text messages. They can
contain viruses of many sorts.
• If you receive a call or e-mail directing you to
act immediately to avoid your account from being
blocked, do not respond. Instead, call the business direct
at their published number. For First Service member accounts
dial 614/836-0100.
• Report any suspicious/vishing scam telephone number
or e-mail address to your local or federal law enforcement
agencies and the FTC at https://www.ftccomplaintassistant.gov/.
Be Aware and Be Safe!
Online Safety Tips
Following these tips will help you stay safer online:
1. Upgrade to the latest, most secure version of your web
browser.
2. Never provide confidential information by e-mail including
your account number or social security number and never
click a link in unsolicited e-mail messages, especially
those that look like they were sent by a financial institution.
3. Never act on E-mails offering contest winnings, stock
tips, miracle pills, etc.
4. Never download software from a company that has an unknown
reputation.
5. Never use security software offered in an unsolicited
e-mail or pop-up window; they're almost always scams.
Identity
Theft
Identity theft is everywhere
in today's society. FirstChoice Checking at First Service
now offers Identity Theft and Check Remedy protection. Please
contact a Member Service Representative at 614/836-0100 or
e-mail support@firstcu.com
for more information.
First Service is happy to provide our members with the latest
news and information on identity theft and fraud.
FirstCU
ONLINE
Log On
The first time you log into FirstCU Online, you will be prompted
for a Username. You may enter your account number as the Username
for your first sign-on OR
select "No Username? Click Here" under the
Username box to proceed. This will take you to the Username
Registration screen to set up your Account Number, Password
and Username.
After
registration of your Username, you will be prompted on the
next screen to select an Image and a PassPhrase. Your PassPhrase
is different than your Password. It will appear with your
Image when you sign-in to identify you are at our official
web site.
You will
use your Username to access FirstCU Online each time after
your initial visit, so select a name you will easily remember.
Your Image and PassPhrase will appear with each sign-on to
verify you are at the official First Service web site. Once
you recognize your Image and PassPhrase, you are safe to enter
your Password. Your Password and your Username identify you
to us.
Advanced
Security
First CU Online
In order to make your online banking experience
as secure as possible, First Service provides you with advanced
identification verification to better protect you against
online theft and fraud. This security will check for any unusual
or uncharacteristic behavior involving your account to provide
you with more peace of mind when banking online. Your selected
Image and PassPhrase will also help you identify that you
are at the official First Service web site to minimize the
risk of falling victim to a “spoofed” web site.
Your Social Security Number
A zillion places
will request your social security number, but you don't have
to tell them. Who is entitled to know?
Your employer, the DMV, your credit union or bank and the
IRS.
Beware of E-mails (phishing)
Impostors
can create fake web sites - down to the logo.
If you get an e-mail that asks you to go to a website and
input personal details, ignore it! No bank, credit card company
or your credit union will send an e-mail asking for this information.
First Service will not ask you for personal information, or
to verify information, by e-mail.
Watch
Your Mail
Thieves
can nab your statement, a credit card bill or other valuable
information and change the address hoping you won't notice.
Statements arrive on a regular cycle; if yours doesn't arrive,
let the company know.
First Service provides 13 months of free online e-Statements
to help protect our members from mail fraud. Simply select
the link to FirstCU Online Account Access on this web site's
home page. e-Statements are found under the "History"
tab.
VISHING
E-mail Scams
Vishing - it's simply phishing (a look-a-like
web site) but with Voice Over Internet Protocol (VolP) which
enables telephone calls over the web.
You get an e-mail that claims to be from your bank, credit
union or credit card company asking you to update information
and instead of an e-mail reply you are given a number to call
for verification. In another version you are actually contacted
by a "live" person or a recorded message directing
you to take action to protect your account. DON'T make
the call. These are scams to obtain
your account information.
First Service will not ask you for personal information, or
to verify information, by e-mail.
First
Service Privacy Policy
Our Privacy
Policies protect your personal and financial information.
These policies are stringent and enforced. We treat each member's
confidential information with the utmost care-whether online
or in person.
USA
Patriot Act
The USA Patriot Act is designed
to help protect you, your family and our country from terrorism
by providing appropriate tools to intercept and obstruct terrorist
acts. In compliance with this law, First Service verifies
the identity of members (as well as prospective members opening
an account and non-members cashing checks on member accounts)
by requiring specific documents be kept on file. These documents
are required for all new accounts and for existing members
who are adding an additional account, when adding a signatory
to an account, and when executing loan documents. We thank
you for your understanding as we comply with these efforts
to help maintain the security of our country.
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