Disclosures
Phishing Scams
There’s nothing worse that being the victim of a phishing scam. You’re minding your own business and, before you know it, your digital life takes a hit and you’re belly-up.
Phishing scams lure account holders into providing personal or financial information to scammers posing as a legitimate business. Most phishing scams are hit you through email with messages containing links that ask for your personal data or download spyware to your computer or mobile device. Other phishing scams are conducted through phone calls, text messages and on social media. Don’t think that only the most vulnerable people fall victim to this common scheme — it may have already happened to you.
Like the good guys we are, Southwest Louisiana Credit Union will never solicit your personal information via phone or email.
What To Do If You’re a Victim
Don’t panic. If it looks like we’re sending you a suspicious email, then email swlacu@swlacu.com to alert us. This address is for incoming mail only; you won’t receive a response to any messages you pass on.
Email:Forward the message with the original subject line intact and include the name of your Internet Service Provider (ISP) in the body.
Phone or Text:Send an email with the time and date of the call or text, the number it originated from and what was requested.
Social Media:Send an email with the content of the message you received along with the social media account it originated from.
If you suspect that you’re a phishing victim:
Ensure that your computer’s firewall, anti-virus and spyware detection software is current.
Run a virus scan on your computer and clean up any viruses or trojans that are detected.
Change your Account Access password from an uninfected computer.
Run anti-malware software on your computer.
If you supplied personal information via email, phone, social media or other means to someone you suspect was scamming you, contact us at 337-477-9190 or email us at risk@swlacu.com.
What We’re Doing for You
Step aside and let your heroes take care of it! Southwest Louisiana Credit Union will never solicit your password, date of birth, Social Security number, credit card details and other personally identifiable information via phone, email, text, or other message. If you believe that you’ve received a phishing email, phone call, or text or social media message from us, email us at swlacu@swlacu.org and include the original message when possible.
Stay Protected
If an email looks suspicious or is from an unknown source, do not provide any information, open any attachments or click on any links. Treat it like a poisonous snake. Just walk away.
Look up the website of whoever the message appears to be from and go to it directly. Always beware of anyone who contacts you asking for personal information, such as account numbers. Your bank or credit card issuer already has them and shouldn’t be asking for them.
Watch out for emails, messages or phone calls that:
Request your confidential information like your SSN, account numbers, login IDs, PINs and passwords.
Threaten to close or suspend your account or state that it’s been compromised.
Or Phone Calls from the IRS. The IRS would send you a formal piece of mail and have your information.
Fraud prevention systems: Our dedicated staff monitors your accounts for fraud and unusual activity and will notify you of any suspicious activity. We follow strict safeguards when mailing out cards and statements and verify your identity whenever calling in. To be certain that we reach you quickly, please make sure we have your updated contact information. In addition, our Zero Liability policy ensures that you won’t be responsible for false charges to your account. That means we don’t punish the victim for having a rough day.
If you plan to travel internationally or domestically, you can add travel notifications as an added safeguard, so when you’re on that 8-hour flight to Europe, all you have to worry about is not getting motion sickness instead of your money. When you notify us of your travel plans, you can still use your Southwest Louisiana Credit Union debit and credit cards when our fraud monitoring would normally question any purchases you make. Just call our call center at 337-477-9190. Please be sure to provide the location and dates of your travel, including stopovers if you’ll have connecting flights.
CATO RESOLUTION
AND PREVENTION
What to do if your business is victimized
In the event of a Corporate Account Takeover, take the following steps:
Immediately shut down computer systems that may be compromised and disconnect those systems from Internet access.
If you suspect your business account has been a victim of a Corporate Account Takeover, please contact us at 337-477-9190 and immediately take the following actions:
Disable online access to accounts.
Change online banking passwords.
Request that the credit Union’s security and auditing departments review all recent transactions and electronic authorizations involving the account(s) in question.
Ensure that no one has requested an address change, or re-ordered checks and/or debit cards to be sent to a different address.
Maintain a written chronology of what happened, what was lost, and the steps taken to report the incident to the credit union and any other parties, such as authorities and firms that could be impacted. Record the date, time, telephone number, person spoken to, and any other relevant information.
File a report with the police and any other relevant investigative agency regarding the intrusion. Having a police report on file will help when dealing with the credit union, insurance companies, and any other parties who have been notified of the fraudulent activity.
Steps you can take to help prevent CATO and protect your business:
Some important tips for preventing a CATO:
Educate employees on an annual basis about online fraud and how to prevent it. Review risky online behavior, such as visiting social media websites and opening unsolicited e-mails and e-mail attachments. Show employees examples of suspicious websites and malicious software. New employees should receive this information shortly after joining your company.
Monitor accounts daily and pay attention to wire transfers and ACH transactions.
Reconcile accounts daily.
Change passwords at least monthly. Use strong passwords that include a combination of symbols, numbers, and letters. Use a different password for each account, and don’t save passwords to a computer.
Be aware that SWLACU will never ask a member for sensitive information, such as user ID or password, over the phone or in an e-mail.
Instruct employees to never use a public computer or public Wi-Fi network to access the business’ online systems.
Log out of computers when not in use.
Equip all computers with the latest security and anti-virus software.
Install security updates promptly.
Ensure that adequate firewalls are in place.
Do not allow automatic login features, such as those that save login IDs and passwords for future use.
Restrict administrative rights to computers.
Credit & Debit Card Fraud
Here’s the skinny. Credit and debit card fraud involves the unauthorized use of another person’s card information to make purchases from their account or access their funds. Sounds simple to avoid, right? Well, you may be surprised that millions of Americans find their accounts hacked every year.
Card fraud runs rampant through a variety of channels, including online scams, data breaches, and card or mail theft. It always helps to learn some mental kung fu and know how to defend yourself against this fraud. Rest assured, Southwest Louisiana Credit Union is there in your corner and will continually monitor your accounts and cards for threats and suspicious activity.
In the meantime, try these strategies to protect yourself:
Be Careful with Your Card Information
Record your card and account numbers along with expiration dates in a safe place at home. Don’t share it with anyone. Not your mom, your sister or your dog. Include the phone number for each card company so you can report fraud and minimize damage quickly.
Carry only the cards you need so there is less for a potential thief to leave you dry, and you’ll have fewer cards to freeze if your wallet is lost or stolen.
Have a confetti party by shredding documents containing personal information before throwing them away.
Never give your account number to anyone on the phone unless you initiated the call to a company you know to be reputable.
Record your card and account numbers along with expiration dates in a safe place at home. Don’t share it with anyone. Not your mom, your sister or your dog. Include the phone number for each card company so you can report fraud and minimize damage quickly.
Carry only the cards you need so there is less for a potential thief to leave you dry, and you’ll have fewer cards to freeze if your wallet is lost or stolen.
Have a confetti party by shredding documents containing personal information before throwing them away.
Never give your account number to anyone on the phone unless you initiated the call to a company you know to be reputable.
Use Your Card Wisely
Never sign a receipt leaving lines—such as the total—blank. The information on a blank receipt may be changed after you’ve already signed it. Drawing a line through any blank spaces may help.
Watch your card during a transaction and make sure you get it back. Also, don’t leave a card on your table at lunch while you’re waiting for the check.
Look for irregularities with an ATM before using it, especially with the card slot. If it looks odd, it may be a skimmer used to capture your credit card information. If you notice it after you’ve inserted your card, alert the card issuer.
Be cautious when using your cards online. Only enter information on websites you’re 100 percent sure are legitimate or use a third-party site when you can.
Debit Card Activation Line & Debit Card PIN Change 1-800-992-3808.
What to Do in Case of Fraud
If your card is lost or stolen, or you suspect you’re a victim of fraud or identity theft, stay calm and call Southwest Louisiana Credit Union’s 24-hour phone numbers:
Lost or Stolen Debit Card: (800) 472-3272
Lost or Stolen Credit Card: (888) 999-2208
Debit Card Fraud: (833) 735-1891 or (833) 735-1897
Credit Card Fraud: (888) 999-2208
You will need a case number to call fraud. If you don’t have one, please call 337-477-9190 first.
Click here to Learn More About Fraud Reporting.
What We’re Doing for You
We have ninjas. Okay, maybe we don’t, but we do use state-of-the-art fraud prevention systems. Our dedicated staff monitors your accounts for fraud and unusual activity and will notify you of any suspicious activity. We follow strict safeguards when mailing out cards and statements and verify your identity whenever calling in. To be certain that we reach you quickly, please make sure we have your updated contact information. In addition, our Zero Liability policy ensures that you won’t be responsible for false charges to your account. That means we don’t punish the victim for having a rough day.
If you plan to travel internationally or domestically, you can add travel notifications as an added safeguard, so when you’re on that 8-hour flight to Europe, all you have to worry about is not getting motion sickness instead of your money. When you notify us of your travel plans, you can still use your Southwest Louisiana Credit Union debit and credit cards when our fraud monitoring would normally question any purchases you make. Just call our call center at 337-477-9190. Please be sure to provide the location and dates of your travel, including stopovers if you’ll have connecting flights.
Online & Mobile Security
Fight off Web Threats
So we all know that the Internet is the perfect place to watch cat videos and stalk your ex-girlfriends, but it’s also a conduit for hackers, scammers and other predators. But don’t worry. Southwest Louisiana Credit Union is here (cue the superhero pose).
Attackers aim to steal a victim’s identity and financial account details. All of your online activity, including email messages, online shopping transactions and social media interactions are susceptible to attack.
What To Do If You’re a Victim
Let’s get you back on your feet. If you believe your personal information has been accessed, follow these steps immediately:
Change your passwords from an uninfected computer.
Ensure all firewall, anti-virus and spyware detection software you have installed is current.
Run a virus scan on your computer and remove any threats that are detected.
Check your account information frequently. If you suspect fraudulent transactions, report them immediately
If you haven’t begun using Credit Sense through online banking, it will be a great tool to monitor your credit report.
What We’re Doing for You
Protecting your accounts is critical to Southwest Louisiana Credit Union. Think of us like your bodyguards. We use state-of-the-art fraud prevention systems and our quick-response fraud department will notify you immediately should they detect any suspicious activity.
Our online banking and mobile apps are hosted on secure servers to protect the information you submit online. Additionally, we have multi-factor authentication. A password, answers to security questions, a recognizable pic and your own personal “memorable phrase” like “I GOT THIS“ guarantees you are in the right account.
Stay Protected
Protection starts with you. Take these precautions to help guard against threats to your computer and mobile devices:
Make sure your operating systems, software and browsers are up to date and that anti-virus software and firewalls are in place when possible on all computers and devices.
Set passwords and enable screen locks to prevent others from using your computer or devices. Use a mix of characters and cases that are unique to each account or site you use.
Clear your device’s cache and history so that passwords, payment details and other saved personal information are deleted. Only store what you truly need.
Check for a padlock symbol and “https” in your browser’s address bar when submitting payment information or other personal details online, as these denote a secure site.
Be extra cautious when using public computers or Wi-Fi. Hold off on making financial transactions until you’re on a trusted device with a secure connection.
Download apps and software from authorized vendors only. Others may appear credible but could contain viruses that put your device at risk.
Limit sharing of your personal information. Be aware of privacy policies and terms and conditions on sites you use and anything you download.
Block cookies on your web browser. When you surf the Internet, hundreds of data points are being collected by the sites you visit. This data gets mashed together to form an integral part of your “digital profile,” which is then sold without your consent to companies around the world. By blocking cookies, you’ll prevent some of the data collection about you. Yes, you’ll have to enter passwords more often, but it’s a smarter way to surf.
Don’t put your full birth date on your social-networking profiles. Identity thieves use birth dates as cornerstones of their craft. If you want your friends to know your birthday, leave off the year.
Don’t download Facebook apps from outside the United States. Apps on social networks can access huge amounts of personal information. Some unscrupulous or careless entities collect lots of data and then lose, abuse, or sell them. If the app maker is in the U.S., it is probably safer, and at least you have recourse if something should ever go wrong.
Make sure you sign out of your mobile or online banking session when you finish to ensure that your session is closed. If not, you will automatically be logged out after fifteen (15 minutes).
If you enter the wrong password three times, your Internet Banking account will be locked. Please contact Southwest Louisiana Credit Union at 337.477.9190.
ATM Security
Alright, let’s get one thing straight. You know all of those viral videos showing people finding skimming devices on ATMs? It can really happen, but don’t destroy your debit cards just yet. Southwest Louisiana Credit Union has your back and can give you the know-how to avoid credit card skimmers.
What Is Skimming, Anyways?
ATMs are vulnerable to a scam called “skimming”—when someone steals your account information by attaching a magnetic strip called a card “skimmer” over the slot where you insert your ATM card. Once your debit card information is taken, it doesn’t take long for your hard-earned cash to disappear.
What To Do If You’re a Victim
Skimmers can come in all shapes and sizes, from an attachment over the credit card slot to a large ATM cover complete with a fake keypad. If something just doesn’t seem right and you suspect a skimming device has been installed on a Southwest Louisiana Credit Union ATM, contact us immediately at 337-477-9190.
Contact your local police department to file a report as well. Monitor your accounts regularly, either by using our mobile app or online Account Access. If you notice any suspicious transactions, report them immediately.
If you leave your Southwest Louisiana Credit Union card at an ATM, stop in to that branch location or call (800) 325-3678 to report a lost or stolen debit card.
What We’re Doing for You
Our team is like your own personal watchdogs, and we work round the clock to ensure our ATMs are pillars of security and protected from skimmers. We’re on constant alert for potential fraudulent activity, monitoring our systems to ensure they’re not vulnerable to attacks.
Stay Protected
Protect yourself from skimming and other threats at the ATM with these tips:
Avoid standalone or weird-looking ATMs as well as ATMs close to major interstates; choose one in well-lit areas like lobbies or stores or a credit union drive-thru.
Have your card ready and stand directly in front of the ATM. Leave once your transaction is complete. Don’t dilly-dally.
Stop the transaction and notify the ATM owner if something seems suspicious with an ATM’s keyboard or card slot.
Shield the keyboard with your hand as you enter your PIN and be aware of anyone standing too close.
Notify the ATM owner immediately if your card is not returned from the machine.
Report all suspected crimes to the ATM operator/owner and to local law enforcement officials.
Don’t let other people use your cards or know your PIN—memorize the number instead of writing it down.
Keep your car doors locked, other windows closed and the engine running when at a drive-thru ATM.
When you go to insert your card, try wiggling the slot or keypad. If a cover pops off, then you may have found a skimmer.
Fraud Reporting
Take Action to Stop Fraud
If you’re hit with fraud, the last thing you want is to be on hold for 2 hours listening to light jazz from 1983. While big box banks don’t think that’s a problem, Southwest Louisiana Credit Union goes the distance to protect your accounts and ensure your hard-earned cash is safe. Our fraud team uses advanced fraud prevention systems to scan member accounts for unusual activity and protect against unauthorized purchases.
What to Do If You’re a Victim
If you’ve become a victim of fraud, look no further! Our Fraud Service will work with you to help restore your information and prevent any further damage, free of charge. It’s simple as that.
If your card is lost or stolen, or you suspect you’re a victim of fraud or identity theft, call Southwest Louisiana Credit Union at 337-477-9190 immediately or call our 24-hour number 800-325-3678 for debit cards or 800-543-5073 for credit cards. We’ll put an urgent hold on your account while we work to restore everything.
If your bank statement shows that you bought a $600 hot pink scooter in Iceland, you may be the victim of fraud—unless you enjoy outdoor motor sports in wintery climates. If a transaction was posted to your account that you didn’t authorize, it’s considered fraud and should be reported as such. Your debit card or credit card will need to be hot-carded as soon as possible. But, then it is important that you go to our closest branch and complete a Fraud Packet so we ensure all fraudulent activity on your account is properly disputed.
Checking & Savings
If you suspect your checking and/or savings account has been compromised, please contact our office immediately so we can put a hold on your account and investigate the matter. We won’t stop until everything is right again.
What We’re Doing for You
Using state-of-the-art fraud prevention systems, we monitor your accounts for fraud and unusual activity and our Fraud Services will notify you of any suspicious activity. We follow strict safeguards when mailing out cards and statements, and verify your identity whenever calling in. To be certain that we reach you quickly, please make sure we have your updated contact information. In addition, our Zero Liability policy ensures that you won’t be responsible for false charges to your account.
If you plan to travel internationally or domestically, you can add travel notifications as an added safeguard. This allows you to use your Southwest Louisiana Credit Union debit and credit cards when our fraud monitoring would normally question any purchases you make.
Please just call 337-477-9190 to place a travel notification on the account. Please be sure to provide the location and dates of your travel, including stopovers if you’ll have connecting flights.