How to Keep Your UCU Accounts Secure Online

 More and more of our Members are using UCU Online Banking and the UCU APP for everyday banking transactions – this is not surprising considering that online banking is an efficient and convenient alternative to in-person branch banking.

Having access to your accounts 24/7 gives you the freedom to move your money or pay your bills with just a few clicks of your keyboard or taps on your phone – from anywhere, at any time.

UCU Digital Banking is Safe and Secure

UCU Online and Mobile Banking are safe and secure. We take account security very seriously and use the most up-to-date security measures such as encryption, firewalls and authentication to protect our Members’ financial information.

Be an Alert Consumer

You can improve your online banking security and protect your accounts by being an alert consumer. While UCU secures your financial information on the back-end of the online banking system, you can take additional steps to safeguard your accounts on the front-end. By working in partnership with UCU and following a few simpe steps, you can help protect your accounts.

Follow These 8 Steps to Protect Your Financial Information Online

You can protect your personal and financial information by taking these simple steps to safeguard your accounts.

Create Unique Passwords - The best way to protect your account information is by choosing strong passwords that are difficult to guess. The strongest passwords include a combination of numbers, upper/lower case letters and symbols, and are at least 10 characters long.

Enable UCU Alerts – To help stay on top of your account activity, enable UCU Alerts. UCU will send you email or text message notifications only on the security alerts you select.  Read more about UCU Alerts here. [link to UCU Alerts article]

Protect Your Computer – Keep up-to-date with the latest updates on your operating system and web browser and install the updates when they become available.

Keep Antivirus Software Current – Install and update antivirus software that will safeguard your computer and mobile devices such as Sophos, Bitdefender or Avast. The antivirus software will detect and remove malicious malware.

Avoid Public Wi-Fi when Banking – Public Wi-Fi networks are not generally encrypted and are not considered secure. Instead, use only secure Wi-Fi networks for your banking transactions, such as the password-protected Wi-Fi network in your home.

Log Out When Done: Make sure to log out of your account when you are done, and close the tab or browser window on your computer.  On your phone, log out of the app, and close the app.

Don’t Use Public Computers for Banking – Computers at libraries, airports and hotels are not considered safe devices for online banking – they are likely infected with malicious malware. Never store your passwords in the web browser of a public computer.

Protect Your Personal Information From Phishing Scams – Fraudsters send fake emails or texts – known as phishing scams – claiming to be from legitimate organizations such as UCU. They will ask for your personal information to steal your identity and enter your bank account. Don’t click on the link of a suspicious email or text and never respond to unsolicited requests for your confidential information.

Remember, UCU, other financial institutions and government agencies will never ask for your social insurance number, PIN or other banking information.

 

Report Suspicious Account Activity Immediately

If you notice suspicious activity on your accounts, contact the UCU Call Centre at 1.800.461.0777 or 416.922.4407 or email ucucentre@ukrainiancu.com.

 

 

Activate UCU Alerts to Better Protect your Accounts

 Manage your finances better with UCU Alerts and get real-time updates on your account activity. UCU Alerts are also an excellent way to spot suspicious activity on your accounts - adding another layer of security to prevent fraud.

Avoid unnecessary fees and protect your credit score. UCU Alerts makes it easy to monitor your account balances, deposits, withdrawals and payments – so you can pay your bills with confidence knowing the appropriate funds will be in your account.

Receive the Alerts You Choose to Activate

UCU Alerts are customizable. Stay on top of your account activities and select as many or as few alerts as you need to better manage your finances and account security. You can also choose how to receive your alerts – by email, text message or both.

4 Alerts Every UCU Member Should Activate

To keep your account secure – we recommend you activate at least the following 4 UCU security alerts:

• Personal Access Code (PAC) Changed
• Online Login
• New Payee Added
• Interac e-Transfer Recipient Added

Which Alerts to Choose

Learn about the different alerts that are available through our mobile app and online banking.

Security Alerts

By setting the following alerts, you could avoid security breaches on your accounts.

• Personal Access Code (PAC) Changed – This alert notifies you if somebody has tried to change your password or your profile. If you did not change the password, this alert could signal that your account may have been compromised.
• Online Login - Alerts you when your account has been accessed on a computer or mobile device. If you did not login into your account, then this notification can signal an unauthorized user has accessed your account.
• New Payee Added – You will be alerted when a new payee is added to your bill payment feature. If you did not add a payee, it could indicate that your profile may have been compromised.
• Online Banking Account Locked Out – Notifies you when your account has been locked out after too many failed login attempts or an incorrect answer to a security question.
• Interac Online Payment Authorized – Alerts you when an Interac online payment has been authorized. If you did not initiate the payment, it could signal that your account may be compromised.    

Balance and Activity Alerts

By setting the following alerts, you will receive real-time updates on your account activity to better manage your finances.

My Balance – Receive this alert to keep track of account activity and balance.

Low Balance - This alert notifies you when your bank account balance drops to a predetermined amount. It can remind you to maintain a sufficient balance to avoid overdraft or NSF fees. This alert can also help you spot suspicious activity.

Deposit - An alert that you've received a direct deposit can remind you that you have funds available to pay bills that are due.

Withdrawal - Alerts are usually set for a withdrawal threshold dollar amount. You will get a notification if a larger withdrawal transaction occurs – which could indicate suspicious activity on your account.

Interac e-Transfer Recipient Added - You will be alerted when a new Interac e-Transfer recipient is added. If you did not add the recipient, it could indicate that your profile may have been compromised.

How to Set Up your Personalized UCU Alerts

Set up your Alerts through your UCU online banking profile or on your UCU mobile app.

• Go to the Messages and Alerts menu and select Manage Alerts.
• You can choose to add as many alerts as you need. In addition, you can always add and remove alerts to better manage your accounts if needed.
• You can also select where you'd like to receive your alerts - by email or text message.

Contact Call Centre

Call the UCU Call Centre at 1.800.461.0777 or 416.922.4407 or email us at ucucentre@ukrainiancu.com for help in setting up your UCU Alerts – or to report any suspicious activity on your accounts.

 

We congratulate UCU Board of Directors Chair, Slawko Borys, on his appointment to the Ukrainian Canadian Congress (UCC) Advisory Council.

He will join other nationally recognized and respected Canadians who have demonstrated outstanding leadership and made significant contributions to the Ukrainian Canadian community.

Members of the UCC Advisory Council use their expertise to provide strategic guidance to shape policy directives that represent the social, economic and political interests of the Ukrainian Canadian community.

Read more about Slawko Boris on our UCU website and the UCC website.