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One of PCU's priorities is ensuring your financial information is safe. We use the latest security technologies to provide comprehensive and layered protection of our websites and Internet banking systems.
Although PCU goes to great lengths to protect your financial information, you also play an important role in keeping it safe. You are responsible for safeguarding your personal computer with adequate technology and making sure you don't share your online banking passwords with anyone.
Read on to learn more about PCU's online security and how you can protect yourself from identity theft. You may also want to view our Online Privacy Policy for more information.
ALERT: Email Scams Circulating
PCU is aware of a few email scams that are circulating. Please read below so you know what to do if you receive one of these fraudulent emails.
US Department of Justice email
There is an email circulating that appears to come from the US Department of Justice. This email is a hoax that claims to concern a compliant filed against St. Paul Postal Employees Credit Union (no such complaint exists).
The email has a zip file attached that is said to include details about the compliant. The zip file may contain a virus or other type of computer malware that could be activated when you attempt to open it. DO NOT respond to this message or open the attachment. View a copy of the email and visit the US Department of Justice's website for more information.
CUNA (Credit Union National Association) email
There is a phishing email circulating that appears to come from CUNA. It instructs recipients to call a phone number or click a link due to a compromised check card. If you receive one of these emails, DO NOT respond to the message.
CUNA is the trade association for credit unions in the United States and does not maintain any type of member financial information. In addition, PCU would never request personal identification information over the phone or via email. View a copy of the email.
NCUA (National Credit Union Administration) email
This email appears to come from the NCUA and states the recipient's account has been temporarily suspended due to fraud attempts. The email goes on to state, "to reactivate your account, call the toll free number" provided.
The NCUA does not ask credit union members or the general public for such information, nor do they maintain credit union member account information. If you receive one of these emails, DO NOT RESPOND. Instead, forward the entire message to phishing@ncua.gov.
What to do if you receive a suspicious email
PCU is aware that other fraudulent emails are circulating as well. If you receive a suspicious email, send it to fraud@postalcu.org by following the steps listed below, or call PCU at 651-770-7000 or 800-247-0857.
- Do not use the forward feature of your email application - instead create a new email to fraud@postalcu.org.
- Drag and drop the suspicious email from your inbox into this new email (in Firefox/Netscape, drop it in the attachment area).
- If you use a browser-based email application, your only option may be to use the standard forward feature.
Safely manage your accounts online
PC ACCE$$ Online Banking is an easy way to access your accounts online 24/7 from the comfort of your home or office. The information in PC ACCE$$ is protected by:
- SSL Enabled Browsers:
Your SSL enabled browser contains the necessary encryption algorithms to "scramble" the information that is transmitted between you and PC ACCE$$. This ensures the confidentiality of information you submit electronically. For this reason, we recommend that you use the most recent versions of Netscape Navigator or Internet Explorer.
- Secure Login Process:
Secure Login (commonly known as Multi-Factor Authentication) is a process that requires you to enter more than a simple User ID and Password before entering PC ACCE$$. This process makes it exponentially more difficult for computer hackers to access your accounts, so you can rest assured your money is safe.
- Other Security Features:
PC ACCE$$ has other features that enhance the security of the system. Any time that you perform a transaction involving a fee or transfer/withdrawal of funds, PC ACCE$$ will require you to enter your password a second time. Thus, no one else can perform these functions without knowing your password.
PC ACCE$$ also has a time-out feature. If there is no interaction between your computer and PC ACCE$$ after 10 minutes, you will be automatically logged off.
Be aware of "phishers"
Phishing occurs when thieves pretend to be financial institutions or companies and send emails to get you to reveal personal information. There are generally two types of messages currently being sent.
The first is an email that links you to a false website that is constructed to resemble your financial institution. You are then asked to verify/provide personal information on the site.
The second is an email instructing you to call a fraudulent phone number to verify or update your account information. Once you call, you may be asked for your account number, online banking password, Social Security Number and more.
Phishing emails are often written with a sense of urgency, as the thieves want you to act quickly without questioning the validity of the email or the consequences of your actions. Fraudulent emails are very real-looking and may link to websites that also appear legitimate.
Here are some helpful guidelines for avoiding phish emails:
- Be suspicious of any email that requests your personal financial information. PCU will never request your private information in an email.
- If you ever receive a suspicious email that appears to have come from PCU, call 651-770-7000 or 800-247-0857 or forward it to fraud@postalcu.org by following the instructions listed above.
- If you suspect an email is fraudulent, do not click on any links within it.
- Avoid filling out forms in email messages that ask for personal information.
- Regularly monitor your accounts through PC ACCE$$ to ensure all transactions are legitimate.
- Make sure browser and security patches are the most current version.
- Notify PCU and your other financial institutions immediately if think you may have shared account information with a fraudster. See below for tips on what to do if you believe you're a victim of identity theft.
Protect yourself on the web
Follow these general guidelines when using the Internet to further protect your privacy:
- Install anti-virus software on your PC, including a firewall and spyware detection software.
- Update your browser with patches and upgrades as they become available.
- Never provide any information over the phone or by email to anyone who contacts you asking for verification of your account numbers, personal identification numbers, etc.
- When conducting transactions over the Internet, only use secure sites. Look for the SSL lock indicator in your browser.
- Review copies of your three free credit reports once per year by visiting www.annualcreditreport.com.
- Don't use obvious passwords like your birth date or your mother's maiden name. Passwords should have at least eight characters and consist of letters and numbers.
- Don't select the "remember password" browser feature when using a publicly accessed computer.
- Perform transactions only on sites that are well established and familiar to you.
- If you make online purchases with a Visa card, sign up for Verified by Visa to help prevent credit card theft.
For more information about protecting yourself from identity theft, check out PCU's FREE online security webinars. You can also find helpful advice on the Federal Trade Commission's website.
What to do if you're a victim
If you know or believe you've been a victim of identity theft, contact PCU and any other financial institutions you have a relationship with. We can flag your account and monitor it for suspicious activity.
You should also contact the three major credit bureaus to determine if you need to place a fraud alert on your file, which will help prevent thieves from opening new accounts in your name.
- Equifax: 800-525-6285
- Experian: 888-397-3742
- TransUnion: 800-680-7289
In addition, you may want to file a compliant with the Federal Trade Commission online or by calling 1-877-IDTHEFT.
If you know you have been a victim of identity theft, you should also file a police report. Law enforcement officials can help you with creditors who may want proof of the crime.
The threat of identity theft is scary, but if you follow the steps above it will be a lot less likely to happen to you.
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