Getting your money should be easy for you. And impossible for others.

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We firmly believe that your money should be impossible for others to access. Sophistication and convenience are the main motivators fraudsters use to capture your private information. There are many ways fraudsters can deceive you. No person would turn their private information to just anybody.

We’ve put together tips and methods to better inform you and keep your information safe.

Texting

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Smishing, or vishing, is a criminal practice wherein criminals set up an automated dialing system to text people in a particular region or area code with messages like: “There’s a problem with your account,” or “Your ATM card needs to be reactivated." Then, they are directed to a phone number or website asking for personal information.

Prevention Tips:

  • Don’t respond to text messages from unknown or blocked numbers on your mobile phone

  • Treat your mobile phone like you would your computer… don’t download anything unless you trust the source

  • Follow the "Phone/Email" tips listed previously

- Source: FBI.gov

Phone/Mail

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Even in an increasingly digital age, fraudsters continue to send out legitimate-looking mail or official-sounding phone calls with various promises, including work-at-home solicitations, inheritance claims, health and medical products and more.

Prevention Tips:

  • Don’t buy from an unfamiliar company

  • Always check out unfamiliar companies with your local consumer protection agency, the Better Business Bureau, the state attorney general or the National Consumer League

  • Be wary of companies that want to send a messenger to your home to pick up money

  • Don’t pay for a “free prize,” even if you're told its for taxes or shipping and handling

- Source: FBI.gov

Email

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For scammers, email provides an easy way to commit mass fraud while maintaining a safe distance from local law enforcement. Often, scammers lure victims using the bait-and-switch method with look-alike emails that mirror the look of legitimate organizations and send visitors to a fraudulent but authentic-looking website to convince them to divulge their sensitive information.

Prevention Tips:

  • Don’t trust unsolicited email

  • Treat email attachments with caution

  • Don’t click links in email messages from someone you don't know

  • Install antivirus software and keep it up to date

  • Configure your email client for optimal security

- Source: US-CERT

Online

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Click fraud, malware, botnets and browser hijacking are just a few of the many types of online fraud cyber criminals use to gain your sensitive information.

Prevention Tips:

  • Make sure the web address is spelled correctly

  • Do not click on links to other websites; rather, look up the address elsewhere and retype it into your browser

  • Disconnect your computer from the Internet when you aren't using it

  • Evaluate your security settings

  • Back up all of your data

  • Protect your computer against power surges and brief outages

- Source: Department of Homeland Security

Deceptive Marketing

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You’ve heard the claims before: free trial, free sample, no-risk evaluation. If the claim sounds too good to be true, it probably is.

Prevention Tips:

  • Research the company online

  • Find and read the terms and conditions for the offer

  • Watch out for pre-checked boxes within online forms

  • Mark your calendar for the free trial time limit

  • Look for information on how you can cancel future shipments or services

  • Read your credit and debit card statements frequently (at least monthly)

  • Report your experience to the FTC at www.ftc.gov/complaint or the BBB at www.bbb.org

- Source: Federal Trade Commission

Identity Theft

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Identity theft is a crime of opportunity. If your information is available online otherwise, you might be victimized.

Prevention Tips:

  • Do business with reputable companies

  • Take advantage of security features

  • Carefully read privacy policies

  • Be careful what information you publicize in public forums, such as social media sites

  • Be aware of your account activity by regularly checking statements and your credit report

- Source: US-CERT

Travel

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When you travel somewhere you’ve never been, you can become overwhelmed and forget to take precautions. Combined with the busy and crowded nature of travel, and you can present a prime opportunity for thieves.

Prevention Tips:

  • Don't use short cuts, narrow alleys or poorly lit streets

  • Try not to travel alone at night

  • Do not discuss travel plans or other personal matters with strangers

  • Wear the shoulder strap of your bag across your chest with the bag away from the curb

  • Try to seem purposeful when you move about

  • Learn a few phrases in the local language so you can signal your need for help

- Source: Bureau of Consular Affairs, U.S. State Department

To be eligible for membership, you must live, work, worship, volunteer or attend school in Bexar County, Texas. Family of current members are also eligible for membership.