Protecting Yourself From Fraud

Crossroads Credit Union wants to provide you with all the tools possible to keep you protected from fraud. The following information can be used as a reference tool to ensure you are protected.

Protecting Yourself from Online Banking Fraud

Additional information about keeping your computer secure can be found by clicking here

For general information on personal computer protection, click here

Bulletin - Protecting Personal Information (28 May 2010)

CUETS Financial is reminding members not to disclose personal or financial information over the phone or on the Internet. Recently several CHOICE REWARDS cardholders were contacted in a telephone scam. The cardholders were told they had won a free trip through the CHOICE REWARDS program. These calls are fraudulent - please be advised that you should not to disclose any personal information (personal information includes things like date of birth, 3-digit security code on the back of the card, password, mother's maiden name, etc).

Please note there is currently a CHOICE REWARDS direct mail campaign offering selected customers a free companion ticket when they set up recurring payments, but eligible cardholders will be contacted through direct mail only - cardholders will not receive calls from CUETS Financial promoting the campaign.

If you receive a fraudulent call stating you have won a free trip, please contact CUETS Financial Resolution Management with any details you have about the call.

You can help protect yourself and your members with these simple tips:

- Report a lost or stolen card as soon as you notice it is missing. CUETS Financial will cancel your card and issue  you a new one.

- Make it a habit to regularly check your transactions online or on your monthly statement. If there are any charges that you didn't make, report them to CUETS Financial right away.

- Never give out your card number over the phone or Internet unless you know you are dealing with a reputable company.

- Protect your Personal Identification Number (PIN): don?t share it with anyone or write it down, memorize it. Sometimes scammers will try to trick people into revealing information about their credit cards over the phone or through e-mail. It's important to know that CUETS Financial would never call to ask for personal information like your credit card number, expiry number, PIN, or the security number on the back of your card.

For more tips on how to safeguard your money, please visit the Canadian Bankers Association website at http://www.cba.ca/en/component/content/category/42-safeguarding-your-money.

The letter claims that there is 'insufficient information' for the individual's tax return and that in order to receive any 'claims,' they will have to update their records. The letter attaches a form specifically requesting the individual?s personal information in writing, via fax or email, including information on bank accounts and passports. This letter is not from the CRA and Canadians should not provide their personal information to the sender.

All taxpayers should be vigilant when divulging any confidential information to third parties. The CRA has well established practices to protect the confidentiality of taxpayers? information. 

The CRA has notified the proper law enforcement authorities of this scam.

For information about this and other similar scams, or to report deceptive telemarketing activity, visit www.phonebusters.com, send an email to info@phonebusters.com, or call 1-888-495-8501.

Mail Scam
(November 2009) There is a mail scam circulating in Western Canada.  The promotional letter wrongfully associated with INTERAC notifies the customer that they have won a large cash prize. A seemingly legitimate cheque is enclosed along with instructions to use the cheque to pay clearance fees on the prize.
Interac has posted a warning on their website about the letter. The website notice can be found at: http://www.interac.ca/consumers/security_fraud.php#mailfraud 

Phishing

Phishing, also call brand spoofing, is a form of Internet fraud in which e-mail messages are used to lure the unsuspecting to web sites that are replicas of sites used by legitimate businesses. These web sites are used to trick users into divulging credit card numbers, bank account information, and passwords that will be used to commit fraud. For more information on phishing please click here

Travel Scams- Don't be a Victim

Avoid Travel Fraud

SCAM ALERT!

The following are common types of frauds that you should be aware of: ScamAlert.pdf

For more information on fraud and how you can protect yourself, visit:

Consumer Measures Committee

Competition Bureau of Canada

Phonebusters- The Canadian Anti-fraud Call Centre