Fraud Can Happen to Anyone—And It’s Becoming More Common

We’ve heard from members recently of calls with individuals claiming to be from the credit union.

Scam attempts that play on your emotions and seek to gain your trust are becoming more frequent and more effective.

CGR will never contact you and ask for personal information by text, email, or an unsolicited phone call. This includes unsolicited calls that ask you to obtain or provide a password or challenge question answers.

How Scammers May Contact You

Their messages can sound urgent, seem familiar, often be poorly worded or contain other errors, and even use your personal information to convince you they’re legitimate.

Scammers can even pose as CGR—you may see “CGR Credit Union” appear as an email sender’s name, in the caller or text ID, and the telephone number displayed may be an actual CGR number.

  • Email: Watch for phony-looking addresses—even if the sender seems familiar. Never open links or attachments in emails you don’t fully trust. Report email scams that pretend to be CGR to msoq@cgrcu.org.

  • Text messages: Be suspicious of texts from outside your saved contacts. Don’t open any links or provide personal or account information.

  • Mobile apps/social media: It may seem like a real person in that chat window, but strange links or requests for money are signs it could be a scam.

  • Phone calls: Scammers can mimic local area codes to get you to answer. If you don’t recognize the number, think twice before picking up.

Here’s What You Can Do to Stay Protected

  • Never share your account passwords, PIN, one-time passcodes, Social Security numbers, or credit and debit card numbers.

  • Remember that CGR will never ask for personal information by text, email, or unsolicited phone call.

  • If you question the legitimacy of a request, contact us directly at (478) 745-0494 for help verifying.

  • If you feel your CGR accounts have been compromised, report it to us immediately by calling (478) 745-0494 or emailing us at msoq@cgrcu.org.

Important Tips to Help Prevent Debit Card Fraud:

  • Check your monthly statements immediately. Make sure all payments are yours.

  • Periodically check your account balance and transactions, by utilizing online banking, by telephone, or by printing interim statements at the ATM.

  • Contact the credit union immediately if your card is lost, stolen or subject to fraudulent use.

  • Keep a record of card numbers, PINs, expiration dates and 1-800 numbers for financial institutions so you can contact the issuer easily in cases of theft.

  • Memorize your PIN number. Do not use your birth date, address, phone number or social security number. Never store your PIN with your card, and do not make it available to others.

  • Keep your receipts. You'll need them to check your statement. If they have your account number on them, tear up or shred receipts before throwing them away.

  • Mark through any blank spaces on debit slips, including the tip line at restaurants, so the total amount cannot be changed.

  • Know your limits. Many issuers limit daily purchases and withdrawals for your protection.

  • Do not use an ATM if it looks suspicious, it could be a skimming device.

  • Be wary of those trying to help you, especially when an ATM "eats" your card, they may be trying to steal your card number and PIN.

Do not give your PIN number to anyone over the phone, often thieves steal the cards and then call the victim for their PIN, sometimes claiming to be law enforcement or the issuing bank.

If you are travelling - is your account ready to take you there?

If you plan on travelling overseas:

  1. Let CGR Credit Union know when you’ll be traveling outside the USA
    As a security precaution, if a credit or debit card charge occurs someplace out of the ordinary, your card may be flagged and blocked.

  2. Double check your account balance, credit limits, and card expiration dates

  3. Carry a variety of payment options
    In addition to your debit and primary credit card, it’s a good idea to have a backup card and a small amount of cash carried separately from the others

  4. Make note of issuer's contact number

Before you leave, make a list of the issuer’s phone number for each card. This way, if your cards are lost or stolen, you have their contact information to immediately report the loss

Report a Lost or Stolen Card

Identity Theft Information

Keeping your identify safe is important to us. If you fall victim, our Identity Theft Recovery Service may provide a huge relief on your burden. For $1.95 a month, you receive piece of mind that someone is on your side when needed through, NXG Strategies.

What are the Benefits?

CGR Credit Union checking account benefits include fully managed identity recovery services for all named accountholders, with benefits extending to three generations of the accountholder’s family if a family member is affected by the identity theft event. Eligible family members include:

  • Spouse or domestic partner

  • Dependents under age 25 with the same permanent address – even if they are in college or in the military

  • Parents with the same permanent address – living at home or in elder care (nursing home, assisted living, hospice, etc.) – with benefits extended up to 12 months after death

We want to add additional value to our relationship with you, so we have arranged for professional identity theft research and recovery benefits to extend beyond accounts with us to cover all types of identity theft – including both financial and non-financial fraud. These include, but are not limited to:

  • Medical fraud

  • Bank and credit card fraud

  • Government documents and benefits fraud

  • Employment fraud

  • Phone and utilities fraud

  • And many more…

©2008-2011 NXG Strategies, LLC. All Rights Reserved

Fully Managed Identity Resources – How It Works

If you suspect identity theft for any reason, or your personal information becomes compromised – as a result of a lost purse or wallet, a break-in, lost laptop or data breach, or other event – we can help. Simply call CGR Credit Union, and a representative will verify your information and securely submit your case to a Personal Recovery Advocate, who will contact you directly by phone.

This trained and certified Recovery Advocate will place fraud alerts at the three major credit bureaus for you; help you access services to watch for signs of identity theft; and access your credit reports and conduct a threat assessment to determine if any identity theft has occurred.

If you are victimized by identity theft, your Advocate will work on your behalf to restore your identity. Your advocate will:

  1. Provide you with access to credit reports from all three bureaus, and review the reports with you to identify fraudulent activity.

  2. Work with you to place fraud alerts with the three major credit bureaus.

  3. Assist you in completing an Identity Theft Affidavit and Declaration of Fraud to establish your rights as a victim.

  4. Activate credit monitoring during your recovery to help you watch for additional signs of abuse.

  5. Contact the Social Security Administration, U.S. Postal Service, Department of Motor Vehicles, etc. as applicable, to address any misuse of official documentation of your identity.

  6. Research and document all fraudulent transactions and false accounts or contracts signed with creditors, banks, utility companies, leasing agents, medical facilities, etc.

  7. Follow up to make sure all wrongful activity is reversed and removed from your records.

  8. Work with local and federal law enforcement to try to stop the criminal or criminals who are using your identity.

  9. Enlist other members of the recovery team to assist when necessary, including professional investigators and legal advisors.

  10. Provide 12 months of follow-up after your recovery is complete – to be sure you stay recovered!

©2008-2011 NXG Strategies, LLC. All Rights Reserved

What to do if you fall victim:

  • Contact your financial institution immediately and alert it to the situation.

  • If you have disclosed sensitive information in a phishing attack, you should also contact one of the three major credit bureaus and discuss whether you need to place a fraud alert on your file, which will help prevent thieves from opening a new account in your name. Here is the contact information for each bureau’s fraud division:

Equifax: (800) 525-6285 P.O. Box 740250 Atlanta, GA 30374

Experian: (888) 397-3742 P.O. Box 1017 Allen, TX 75013

TransUnion: (800) 680-7289 P.O. Box 6790 Fullerton, CA 92634

Report all suspicious contacts to the Federal Trade Commission through the Internet at www.consumer.gov/idtheft, or by calling 1(877) IDTHEFT.

How to Protect Yourself

  • Never provide personal financial information, including your Social Security number, account numbers or passwords, over the phone or the Internet if you did not initiate the contact.

  • Never click on the link provided in an e-mail you believe is fraudulent. It may contain a virus that can contaminate your computer.

  • Do not be intimidated by an e-mail or caller who suggests dire consequences if you do not immediately provide or verify financial information.

  • If you believe the contact is legitimate, go to the company’s Website by typing in the site address directly or using a page you have previously book marked, instead of a link provided in the e-mail.

  • If you fall victim to an attack, act immediately to protect yourself. Alert your financial institution. Place fraud alerts on your credit files. Monitor your credit files and account statements closely.

  • Report suspicious e-mails or calls to the Federal Trade Commission through the Internet at www.consumer.gov/idtheft, or by calling 1(877) IDTHEFT.