Fraud prevention

 

As criminals become more active and creative in their attempts to defraud people from their money, so must personal vigilance against them.

Fraudsters constantly look for opportunities to trick people. It may be a simple text during the summer months purporting to be from a son or a daughter to a parent telling them they lost their phone.

Or it could an email during the lead-up to Christmas, as people are busy with their shopping plans purporting to be from the parcel delivery company seeking payment of a customs or delivery charge.

Fraudsters never give up. They are always active which is why a high degree of personal vigilance is important to thwart them. 

In some fraud situations, criminals are tricking unsuspecting victims to download apps such as TeamViewer onto their phones or computers permitting them to take control and from there, access financial and other accounts. 

In light of ongoing fraud attempts, including text, email and phone, it is important to examine the authenticity of such messages if they claim to be from well known brands. An Garda Siochana advise the public to BE WARY OF UNSOLICITED CONTACTS. 

If you receive a call from somebody requesting your current account details or debit card details, regardless of what company they claim to be from, or requesting that you install software or an app on your phone or computer, you should terminate the call. If you receive a text message requesting your account information, do not respond or click on any links within the message. You should never provide your debit card, current account details or One-time Passcodes to anyone on an incoming call and if in any doubt about the authenticity of the call you should hang up. 

To protect you and your account from fraud, please remember these 10 Top tips:

1.    Never respond to an email or text asking for financial, personal or security information.
2.    Your personal details are precious – always keep PINs and passwords private.
3.    Don’t click on links or attachments in unsolicited emails or texts. Log into accounts and websites directly.
4.    Remember, your Credit Union will never ask for PIN, One-time passcodes, or security details.
5.    Don’t assume an email, call or text is genuine because someone has basic information like your name or address. Fraudsters use publicly available information to lure you in.
6.    Did you know it takes two people to terminate a landline call? Make sure you hear a dial tone when you hang up or call back to check the caller’s ID – and never use a number given to you by the caller.
7.    Always keep your debit/credit card in sight when paying for goods or services.
8.    Cover your PIN every time you pay using your card and at the ATM.
9.    Unsecured public Wi-Fi networks are hotspots for fraudsters – use 4G when shopping or
banking online.
10.  If something doesn’t feel right, it probably isn’t. Stay in control and don’t be rushed into making a decision you might regret. It’s always better to check, chatand challenge.


If at any stage you provide your account information to a third party like the scenarios described above, or if you are in any doubt about a company that you have provided your account details to, please contact our team here at Aviate Credit Union or the Card Services team on 01 693 3333 immediately to advise so we can protect your account.

For further information on how you can keep your current account and debit card safe from fraud risks please read your fraud awareness brochure available here.


Aviate Credit Union