Security FAQ

Security FAQ

• What else can I do to help minimize my risk of identity theft?

  Keep important documents safe. Don't carry extra credit cards, Social Security cards, birth certificates or passports, if not needed. 

  Think before you share. Be wary of suspicious messages, links, and requests for personal information.

  Consider investing in a shredder. Shred your receipts, credit card offers, bank statements, returned checks and any other sensitive information before throwing it away.

  Cover your bases. Ensure that your employer, landlord, and anyone else with access to your personal data keeps your records safe.

  Read your credit report. Make sure your credit reports are accurate. If you spot an inaccuracy, follow up.

  Keep your SSN under wraps. Do not print or write down your SSN on any document that could fall into the hands of identity thieves, like checks.

  Don't use weak passwords. Using strong passwords that include a mix of letters, numbers, and special characters makes it harder for identity thieves to crack these codes.

• How is identity theft different from financial fraud?

  The term “financial fraud” covers common credit card, check, and debit card fraud. When a criminal uses your credit cards or debit cards to make a purchase, he or she usually hasn't assumed your identity. Compared to identity theft, recovering from financial fraud can be relatively easy since most creditors don't hold you liable for fraudulent charges.

• How can I tell if I am a victim of identity theft?

  Monitor both your financial and public record information and look for any of these occurrences:

  • Receiving credit cards for which you did not apply
  • Being denied credit for no apparent reason
  • Receiving calls or letters from debt collectors or businesses about merchandise or services you did not buy

  Although any of these indications could be a result of a simple clerical error, you should not assume that there's been a mistake and do nothing. Always follow up with the business or institution to find out. You can also review your credit report for indications of fraudulent activity.

• What is identity theft?

  Identity theft is officially defined as the deliberate assumption of another person's identity. It occurs when a criminal acquires and uses the victim's personal information—such as a Social Security or driver's license number—to take out loans, obtain new credit cards, rent an apartment, purchase a car, run up debt, file for bankruptcy and other criminal activities. Identity theft is a growing concern because it can not only damage someone's creditworthiness, it can also be flagged on routine background checks.

• What if I'm locked out of online access?

  As a safety feature that we provide to protect your financial information, your account will be locked after your 3rd failed attempt to log in. If this happens, please call us at 800.242.2120 during our regular Contact Center hours or stop into any of our branch office locations. We will then verify your identity and unlock your account for you.
   

  Your security is our top priority

  Visions Federal Credit Union understands the importance of security and we value your peace of mind. We use state-of-the-art fraud prevention systems to monitor your accounts but understanding how you can proactively identify fraud is important too.

  Visit our Security page to learn how you can better protect yourself.