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.
- Ukrainian Charity Relief Scams - As the war between Russia and Ukraine rages on, the call for aid continues for Ukrainians who are losing everything. Legitimate charities across the globe are doing everything they can to help those in need, but scammers are trying to cash in. As with almost any crisis, fraudsters are mimicking legitimate charities with fake ones looking to illegally profit from others' goodwill. If you plan to donate, make sure the charity you are giving to is real and your money is going to reach its intended destination. Read this article on how fake charities are trying to steal your money, and how you can avoid that from happening.
- Phone Call and Text Scams Increasing - Have you noticed an increase in text messages and phone calls from numbers you don't recognize? Fraud is at a high this year with what seems to be a big focus on mobile devices. Whether the goal is to get you on the phone through one of their scam scripts or to click a dangerous link through text message, the goal is the same, to steal your hard-earned money, or personal information. To learn how you can protect yourself from these threats, click here to read more.
- Mobile Device Viruses - Everyone knows you need to protect your computer from malware and viruses. But did you know that your mobile device can also get the same dangerous viruses? These harmful programs can sit dormant running in the background stealing your personal information and using up all your data. A big warning sign of a virus on your phone is a degraded performance and abnormal battery drainage. If you are worried that your phone might have a virus, read this article for more information.
- Monitor your account - The first and best defense to protect your account is to monitor it daily. Whether you do a quick check on your transactions every day or you download a security app to give you real-time alerts, you are the first line of defense against fraud. The Astera Card Controls app is perfect for just this kind of protection. See below for more details.
- Be cautious of imposters - Just because someone is claiming to be a person you know or a legitimate business, it doesn't mean they are. A clear sign of an imposter is someone asking for personal information, money, or gift cards. As a reminder, Astera CU will never call or text you and ask for your personal information. If you receive a call like this, hang up.
- Don't answer unfamiliar numbers - If you are receiving a call from a number you don't recognize, don't answer it. If the call is important, they will leave a voicemail. If you are getting a text from an unknown number, do not click on links or share personal information.
- Call immediately if you suspect you're a victim of fraud - Should you fall victim to a scam or fraud, one of the first steps to take is to contact the proper authorities along with your financial institution(s) to make them aware. Astera CU will secure your account, including shutting down your account(s) to prevent future loss.
Astera Card Controls adds another level of security to your cards by letting you decide how and when they can be used and alerting you when any types of transactions you specify occur. You can even use Astera Card Control to set personal spending limits that help you stay within your budget goals.
- Turn cards on or off in seconds
- Use GPS to restrict transactions to businesses within a designated area
- Limit card use to specific merchants or purchases
- Receive real-time, in-app alerts that let you stop unauthorized purchases before they're complete
- Receive alerts when you're getting close to any personal spending limit you've set
Download the Astera Card Controls app and gain a new level of security and control over your money today!
If you'd like more information about Astera's security services, call us at 800.323.0048, or visit us at www.AsteraCU.com.
|
