Security Center

LAFCU Fraud Alert: GUARD YOUR CARD

Help guard your card with alerts

Fraudsters are at it again. Coming up with more sophisticated scams and ways to trick you into giving up your information. We’re onto them though. Here are some of the ways they try to scam you. Be on the lookout for the following.

The Imposter

Someone posing as LAFCU unexpectedly calls, texts, or emails you claiming there is fraudulent activity on your account. They want you to verify your PIN to confirm important details.

Protect Your PIN

LAFCU will never ask for your PIN over the phone. Do NOT give it out.

Card Collector

Their latest scam is to claim they need to collect your card or the chip from it to keep it safe or for “recycling” or other environmental purposes.

We will never ask you to surrender your card or to return your old card to us. When it’s time to replace a card, or it has expired, securely destroy it.

The Scammer’s Plan

They want to get your personal information, like your PIN, password, debit card #, exp date, CVV code, and verification codes. They want to steal your money and once they have your information, they can do it right away.

Social Engineering: The Friend

Another tactic of scammers is to befriend you over time by continuous contact over text, email or phone. They will try to establish a relationship and gradually get you to turn over your personal information to them and steal your money. Don’t fall for it.

What you can do

Keep your card and PIN safe. Memorize your PIN #. Do not write it down. If you suspect fraud, report it to us immediately. Also be wary of strangers trying to “engineer” a friendship with you. Scammers target vulnerable groups like seniors who may not have as much social interaction or a support group which makes them easy targets for fraudsters. Do not engage with them.

Stay one step ahead

Set up card alerts within your LAFCU online banking account to see all your transactions. Receive alerts for purchases, monthly subscriptions, payments, expenses, and even balances. Setting up alerts helps you to monitor activity on your card that you authorized. If an alert pops up that wasn’t authorized by you and looks unfamiliar – contact us right away.

Already have alerts set up?

Review your alert settings periodically to ensure you have what you need to help monitor your accounts and keep the fraudsters away.

To keep your online & mobile banking accounts safe, we follow industry standards of multi-factor authentication to protect you from unauthorized withdrawals or activity. You also can also take additional steps to protect your accounts such as avoiding phishing scams, monitoring your transactions and reporting fraud immediately when you see it.

IMPORTANT!

People like you are currently being targeted by sophisticated scams nationwide where fraudsters impersonate your financial institution. Their goal is to get you to give them access to your account online so they can steal your money by transferring it out of your account.

• LAFCU already has your account information. If anyone calls, emails, or texts you to ask for your Username, Password, Account Number, Birth date, Social Security Number, or your One Time Access Code (Multi-Factor Authentication), DO NOT RESPOND OR SHARE THE INFORMATION.

• If you call LAFCU directly, we will ask you to securely authenticate yourself, which could include asking you to approve an “Ok to Share” message/code we send you.

Stay Alert

Never respond to emails, phone calls or text messages, asking you to confirm, update or provide account information.
Monitor your transactions online and set up account alerts.
Create unique PINs and passwords not easily identifiable.
If your card is misplaced or stolen, FREEZE YOUR DEBIT OR CREDIT CARD or SET FRAUD ALERTS on your account

Helpful Resources and Tips on Using Zelle®

Read about understanding fraud & scams related to Zelle

Read about how to safely send & receive money with Zelle

Zelle is a fast, easy and safe way to send money to family and friends that you trust, right from the LAFCU mobile app. Zelle moves money directly from your LAFCU account to another person's credit union or bank account, using your recipient's U.S. mobile phone number or email address.
Enter your recipient's info correctly, and always double check before you hit "Send." The transaction cannot be cancelled if the other person is already enrolled with Zelle.
Only send money to family and friends you trust or know. Do not use Zelle to purchase items from businesses or individual merchants. Your LAFCU Debit and Credit Cards have more consumer protections when there is a dispute with a merchant.
Always keep your mobile app and online banking user names, passcodes and MFA codes confidential.
If you are ever contacted by someone asking for account information, contact LAFCU directly.
You are financially liable for all Zelle transactions that you initiate.
You are also financially responsible for the loss up to the amount of transactions you initiate if: 1) you send an incorrect amount, 2) you send to an incorrect person, 3) there is a dispute between you and the recipient of the funds, 4) you are a victim of fraud 5) any other occurrence where you initiate the transactions.
If you are a victim of fraud and did not authorize a Zelle transaction, log into online banking, and fill out the “Zelle® Notice of Fraud Secure form” in the Secure Forms section.
If you are authorized a Zelle transaction and encountered a problem with it, log into online banking, and fill out the “Zelle® Dispute Secure form” in the Secure Forms section.

How to Report Fraud

If you receive a suspicious email or telephone call clamming to be from LAFCU requesting sensitive information, DO NOT reply, click any of the links, or return the call. Contact our Member Services department immediately at (877) 695-2328:

If you believe one of your accounts has been compromised or you suspect fraud.
To report suspicious activity and ensure that your accounts are in order.

You can also file a complaint with the Federal Bureau of Investigation’s INTERNET CRIME COMPLAINT CENTER and file a complaint with the FEDERAL TRADE COMMISSION

Beware of Common Fraud Scams

Phishing: a malicious attack that uses email to solicit your personal information. Vishing: uses the phone to obtain your personal information.
Smishing: from “SMS”-ing, the scam targets your text messages.
Card Skimming: utilizes “skimming” devices inside or on top of card reader at ATMs, and gas stations card readers.
CURRENT Frauds, Scams, Identity Theft & Cybersecurity

Avoid the "Pay Yourself" Scam

Zelle is a fast & easy way to send and receive money with people you know and trust. There is a current scam you should avoid called “Pay Yourself,” and here’s a video created by Zelle that explains it.

Here are details about this scam:

• You receive a text message that looks like a fraud alert from LAFCU about unusual activity on your checking or savings account. The text could say "Did you make a purchase of $50 at (_?_) merchant?"

• If you text back, you have actually replied to the scammer and will soon receive a telephone call from a number that appears to be from LAFCU.

• The scammer will act like a LAFCU representative & will offer to help stop the alleged fraud by asking you to send money to yourself using your Zelle® account at LAFCU.

• The scammer will ask you for a one-time code you just received from LAFCU.

• If you provide them the code, they will use it to enroll their own financial institution account with Zelle® using your email or phone number.

• The scammer now can receive your money into their account, not yours!

How can you protect yourself?

• Do not share any codes based on a phone call or text message you get.

• Be skeptical of caller IDs…they may not be accurate.

• Do not act quickly if someone tells you to.

Watch out for "Bank Jugging"

Local police departments have seen an increase in a crime called “bank jugging” vehicle burglaries. This is when criminals in cars sit in bank or credit union parking lots and watch customers come and go...then target those carrying bank envelopes, money bags, and/or coin boxes. Thieves will select those customers they believe have large amounts of currency then follow them to their next destination, at which point they will break into their vehicles and steal their money.

How to protect yourself:
• Be aware of your surroundings and scan the parking lot for occupied, parked vehicles
• Conceal money before entering and leaving the credit union
• Be aware of anyone you suspect may be watching and/or following you
• Do not leave your money envelope/bag, coin box, or currency in your vehicle
• Call the police immediately if you suspect you are being watch or followed

If you witness a crime in progress or anything that appears suspicious, report it immediately to your local police department.

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