Our Security Spotlight features information about current scams, provides tips to protect yourself from fraud attacks, and offers steps you should take should you fall victim to fraud.

• Medicare Card Scams - Recently Medicare announced they are sending out new cards to everyone who receives Medicare benefits. Because of this news, scammers are taking advantage of the announcement and are attempting to steal information by claiming to be a Medicare representative. If someone calls claiming to be from Medicare, asking for your Social Security number, bank information, or other information to get your new card, that's a scam. Hang up. Medicare will never ask you to give personal information to get your new Medicare number and card. They will also never call you asking for money for your new card. It's free. If you receive a call requesting either of these things, hang up immediately. For more information, click here.

• Utility Scams - Utility scams are simple in concept. You receive a call saying your electricity or water will be shut off if you do not pay your bill. Hoping to catch you off guard and unaware, you pay the bill and unbeknownst to you, give our your credit card information over the phone to a scammer. Whatever you do, never be rushed into a transaction of any kind. Scammers succeed best when they catch you off guard or in a panic about potential penalties for lack of payment. If you have concerns about your bill, call the number for your utility company using the phone number provided on your bill, not a number someone else gives you. For more information click here.
  

• Gas Pump Skimmers - The holidays are rapidly approaching and with that brings a lot of traffic. Gas pump skimmers have been around for a long time and they are still one of the most common causes of fraud. When getting gas, be aware of your surroundings. If possible, use pumps closer to the store you are at, as skimmer machines tend to be attached to the further away gas pumps. Lastly, regularly monitor your accounts for any suspicious activity.
  

1. Credit freeze - Concerned about possible fraud activity on your account? Consider placing a credit freeze on your credit score. This will prevent your score from being accessed which will prevent new accounts being opened in your name fraudulently. For more information click here.
   
   
2. Verify authenticity of charities - As many great, reputable charities come together to help during a tragedy, there are also those that are created during those times to take advantage of those of us willing to give. When donating money to a cause, verify the charity is authentic and you are giving to the actual charity in need and not a scammer representing a fake charity to take your money. To check a charities authenticity before donation click here to check it's status.
   
   
3. Call immediately if you suspect you're a victim of fraud - If you fall victim to a scam, one of the first steps to take is contacting your financial institution(s) to make them aware. Your accounts will be shut down and steps will be taken to prevent against continued and/or future loss.

MasterCard® Debit Card Chip Technology

A chip card (EMV technology) is a global standard for credit cards and debit cards that use computer chips to authenticate (and secure) chip card transactions. Each card has a microchip that stores and protects your information better than before, making fraud and identity theft more difficult than ever. Every Astera debit card comes with this added layer of protection for all your transactions

Details:

• MasterCard debit card accepted around the globe and online
• Chip card technology
• Safer than carrying cash
• More convenient and safer than checks
• Eliminate cost of purchasing checks
• 24/7 access to funds via ATMs
• Easily withdraw funds from ATMs
• Lost or stolen card services

Fill out the form below and we will contact you with more information on our MasterCard Debit Cards!

If you'd like more information on Astera's security services, call us at 800.323.0048, stop into any branch to speak with a member service representative, or visit us at www.AsteraCU.com.