Here are some practical tips to help you avoid fraud online.

• Do not share your online banking credentials. You should never have to give out your online banking credentials to receive a deposit. Please call the credit union immediately if you have shared your credentials with anyone.
• We require Multifactor Authentication to log in to online banking. Never share your MFA code sent via text, email, or phone call with anyone.
• Do not open emails or click on links from people you do not know.  This will prevent others from downloading malware or viruses on your PC.
• Make sure you personally know the person/people you interact with online.  Many times fraudsters will replicate one of your friends Facebook or other social media accounts and trick you into believing they are someone they’re not.  Many times they will form relationships including romantic relationships with their victims in order to convince them to send them money or cash fraudulent checks.
• If you’ve sold something online and the buyer sends you more money than the amount the item sold for, make sure to ask more questions.  If that person asks you to wire or transfer funds to them (for the overage they sent) via Western Union for something they bought from you, make sure you verify the transaction with the credit union before proceeding.
• If you’ve received a deposit in your account that you are not familiar with, make sure you verify that deposit with the credit union before using those funds.
• If you’ve been informed of a sweepstakes or lottery you’ve won, but have never entered a lottery or sweepstakes please inform the credit union before sending any funds or cashing any checks associated with the winnings.
• The IRS collects from individuals via phone, mail, etc.  Be sure to check with the IRS directly (from a phone number you’ve retrieved online) to make sure you owe funds to them before sending anyone any funds.

For more information on recent threats, visit mycreditunion.gov/fraud.