More and more of our Members are using UCU Online banking
and the UCU app to conduct their everyday banking transactions.
Having access to your accounts 24/7 gives you the
freedom to move money or pay bills with just a few taps on your computer
keyboard or phone. But this ease of digital access also allows fraudsters to
target your money or steal your personal information.
Here is what you need to know to outsmart online
scammers.
UCU Digital
Banking is Safe and Secure
Our digital Online and Mobile banking platforms are safe
and secure.
We take account security very seriously and use the
most up-to-date security measures such as encryption, firewalls and two-step 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 our online banking system, you can take steps to safeguard your
accounts on the front end.
By working in partnership with UCU and following a few
simple steps, you can help protect your accounts from fraud.
Beware of Online
Scams
Online scammers are everywhere and their tactics are
becoming more sophisticated. According to the Better Business Bureau, online
scams have risen over 87% since 2015.
Follow These Steps
to Protect Your Financial Information Online
You can protect your personal and financial
information by taking these simple steps to safeguard your accounts.
Protect Your
Devices, Systems and Data
- 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.
- 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 12 characters long.
- 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.
Protect Your
Connections
- 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.
- 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.
- 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.
Protect Your
Money and Personal Information
- 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.
- 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. Never give out that
information if solicited.
Report
Suspicious Account Activity Immediately
If you notice suspicious activity on your accounts,
contact the UCU Call Centre at 1.800.461.0777
or email ucucentre@ukrainiancu.com.
