Millions of people fall victim to scams and fraud in the U.S. every year. At Pioneer Federal Credit Union, your financial security is our priority and we want our members to feel secure with their finances. Whether you’re an experienced user of technology or just getting started, we’re dedicated to providing you with the tools, knowledge, and support you need to avoid fraud and keep your assets safe.

Security Tips 101
 

1. Ignore Unsolicited Messages
   Be cautious if you receive unsolicited texts, phone calls, email with suspicious links, or social media messages from people you don’t know. Scammers often reach out first to establish a connection and gain your trust before making any requests. If the message feels suspicious or unsolicited, do not engage.
    
2. Never Send Money to Someone You Haven’t Met In Person
   Scammers commonly build emotional relationships over time before asking for money. Whether it's for an emergency or a supposed travel expense, never send money to someone you haven’t met in person. If you’re being asked for money, this is a major red flag.
    
3. Protect Your Financial Information
   Do not share any personal banking, credit card, or account details with someone you’ve only met online. Scammers can use this information to steal from you or commit fraud in your name. It is also important to regularly check your accounts for missing funds and to check credit reports for changes in your credit history.
    
4. Beware of Requests to Transfer Money or Use Your Account
   If someone you meet online asks for access to your account details or requests that you transfer money for them, be extremely cautious. This could result in your account bring used for illegal activities, such as money laundering.
    
5. Trust Your Instincts
   If something doesn’t feel right or seems too good to be true, trust your gut. Scammers are skilled at manipulating emotions and making false promises. Always take a step back, do some research, and verify any claims made by online acquaintances, especially if they involve money.
    
6. Do Not Make Your Personal Information Easily Accessible
   It is nearly impossible to surf the worldwide web and not find a piece of information about yourself online. In the wrong hands, the access to this personal details can have devastating consequences such as identity theft and fraud. That is why it is more important than ever to keep personal information private. It is recommended to keep social media accounts on private and to set up secondary authentication methods for heightened security.

Practice Strong Cybersecurity

Protection of your finances and personal information starts with a strong password that is difficult to guess. Here is a list of tips to keep in mind when creating a password for your accounts:

• A minimum of 12 characters is recommended when creating a password and it should include a combination of uppercase and lowercase letters, numbers, and symbols.
• It is not recommended to create a password with personal details such as your name, birthdate, or words that can be easily guessed.
• Regularly updating a password is also recommended for greater security.
• Making use of a password generator is helpful if you are struggling to create a new password on your own. The security on randomly generated passwords is greatly improved and makes it difficult for scammers and fraudsters to access your personal information.
• Two-Factor Authentication or 2FA, is a security measure that allows the user to log into an account by verifying two different security methods. Once they have logged in with a password, the user can authenticate their account by using a biometric (face identification, fingerprint, etc), phone number, email, or application that randomly generates a passcode.

If you believe you’ve fallen victim to fraud or a scam, please contact Pioneer immediately at 208-587-3304. For more information, please check out the FBI Website for different types of scams and ways you can take action to protect yourself.

REMEMBER: If it sounds too good to be true -- it probably is.