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Online Security

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Our vision is to empower possibilities for greater prosperity for Vermonters. Part of fulfilling that vision is protecting our members’ accounts against unauthorized access. The security of your personal information is a top priority for VSECU.

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FRAUD ALERT: DON'T FALL PREY TO THESE SCAMS

We have received reports of recent scams targeting VSECU members.

Text scam: A text scam is targeting members with an alert that uses a variety of messages to get members to click on a link. Once they click on the link, the member is asked to enter their credit union credentials. This is a phishing attempt to steal your personal information. Do NOT click on the link or give out any sensitive information in response.

Phone scam: In a recent phone scam, fraudsters are calling members, pretending to be from VSECU’s card services team and claiming that they have found suspicious charges on the member’s account. They text the member a code, which they claim is necessary for security, but which allows the fraudster access to the member’s accounts. If you receive such a call, hang up immediately. Do NOT give out any sensitive information or initiate a code. 

Fraudsters are becoming more sophisticated and are using different techniques. While the above descriptions are scenarios we have heard about, they may use different tactics in the future. Please be vigilant in protecting your money. If you receive a phone call, email, or text, asking you for personal information or to take steps to safeguard your account, do not respond. Call us at 802 371-5162 and speak with a member service consultant.

How we protect you

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    What we do

    We use security technologies and processes to keep your personal financial and account information secure. Behind the scenes, our Information Technology department ensures we have the latest technology to safeguard your data, and our dedicated Fraud department continually monitors your accounts for unusual activity.

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    What we don't do

    VSECU will NEVER contact you by phone, email, or through social media channels to solicit confidential, personal, and/or account information. This includes Digital Banking credentials, personal identification numbers, one-time passwords, or full debit or credit card information (16-digit number, expiration date, CVV number). If you receive a phone call or email and are unsure if it was from VSECU, please contact us directly by phone at 1-800-371-5162.

How you can help protect yourself

In addition to everything that VSECU does to keep your information secure, the best frontline defense against fraud is you. By taking the following steps when using a computer or conducting business online, you’ll help protect yourself and your personal information and be better positioned to avoid fraud before it happens.

Fraudsters can falsify phone numbers and email addresses to make it appear that they are contacting you from a legitimate source. To be safe, don’t provide your personal information to people who have contacted you by phone, text, email, or social media. VSECU already has your information on file and will only ask for it over the phone if you’ve initiated contact.

Files from a dubious source can carry dangerous malware or viruses to your computer. Make sure you ONLY open attachments or files that you are certain came from a trusted source.

Prevent malicious viruses that can give hackers access to personal information stored on your computer by purchasing, installing, and regularly updating anti-virus and other protective software.

  1. False links can lead you to a website that seems like the correct one, but in reality is not. Check the domain name and type the URL directly into your browser.
  2. When conducting online business look for the locked padlock icon in the URL bar. Click on the icon to confirm that the site is secure and authentic by reviewing the security certificate. On a legitimate website, the URL should match that listed in the digital certificate.
  3. Make sure your web browser is updated to its current version to keep it secure.

Most adults in the United States are now on at least one social media platform. As a result, social media scams are on the rise. This is especially true of Facebook, which is the largest social network with billions of daily active users worldwide. VSECU will never ask for credit card or account information on social media, and you should avoid providing sensitive information to anyone over social media. To help you protect yourself on these popular platforms, VSECU’s social media specialist offers a list of ways to spot a Facebook scam and prevent fraud on social media.

  • Use a combination of upper- and lower-case letters, numbers, and special characters (i.e. !, @, #, &, :, /) to create a password that is not easily guessed (don’t use your birthday).
  • Create different passwords for multiple accounts and change them regularly for enhanced protection.
  • Do not use the “save password” feature in your browser, write your password down, or share it with anyone.
  • A password manager is an excellent way to safely manage your passwords. It allows you to generate strong passwords, store multiple passwords for different accounts, and update them on a regular basis to keep your information secure without having to memorize.
  • Take advantage of multi-factor authentication (MFA) whenever it’s available for an additional layer of verification.
  • Require a password for computers, tablets, or phones, and never leave your device unattended. Always log off or lock your devices if you step away and/or when you are finished.
  1. Review your account statements regularly to search for any unusual activity.
  2. Use credit monitoring services to check your credit score, as an unexpected drop in your score could indicate fraudulent activity and identity theft. Visit AnnualCreditReport.com to request your free yearly credit report from the three credit bureaus. You can also set up a fraud alert or freeze on your credit file with TransUnion, Experian, and Equifax.

In VSECU’s Digital Banking platform, as well as most other online accounts and mobile apps, you can set up alerts to notify you of unusual activity with your credit and/or debit cards. If you see suspicious transactions, or if your card has been lost or stolen, contact your financial institution or credit card company immediately to have your card canceled and a new one reissued. We can also assist with recovering stolen funds whenever possible.

Additional ways to protect yourself

What else can you do to make sure your identity is secure?

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    Educate yourself

    Visit the Federal Trade Commission website to get the latest information about recent scams. For additional information about how to avoid common fraud, check out what the experts in our Fraud department have to say on the VSECU blog.

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    Pay attention to how you feel

    To get you to act without thinking, fraudsters use emotional tactics like making you feel rushed, intimidated, pressured, or tempted by something that feels too good to be true. If you feel any of those things, remove yourself from the conversation and use the contact information you have on file for the organization to find out if the call, text, or email was legitimate.

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    Take action

    Keep track of your financial accounts. The simplest way to do this is by setting alerts on your credit union, bank, credit card, and other accounts so that you know when they have been accessed. If you notice activity that you did not initiate, reach out to the appropriate financial institution immediately for help.

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Afraid that your financial information at VSECU has been compromised?

Please contact us immediately. We can help with the process of securing your accounts and may even be able to help mitigate your loss.

Contact UsCall us at 1-800-371-5162