How to Protect Yourself from Fraud

How to Protect Yourself from Online Fraud

1. Be Sceptical of Unsolicited Contact

• Stop. Think. Check. If you receive an unexpected call, text or email asking for personal or financial information, pause.
  • Never give away personal information, bank or credit union account details or security details such as your PIN or online password to anyone.
  • Never click on links or open attachments in unexpected or unusual emails or text messages, even if they appear to come from someone you know. Just delete the message.
  • Verify Independently: If you’re unsure, hang up and call the company back on a phone number you know is genuine (e.g. from their website or your statement). Do not use the contact details provided in the suspicious message.

Remember: First Tech Credit Union will never ask you for your login information or any other personal information by phone call, email or text message.

2. Strengthen your Digital Defences:

• Use Strong, Unique Passwords: Use a mix of letters (upper and lower case) and symbols.
• Enable Two-Factor Authentication: This is usually a code sent to your phone and adds an extra layer of security beyond your password. Always enable tis when offered it.

3. Check Website URLs:

• When entering any login details, make sure the website address (URL) begins with https://. The ‘s’ stands for ‘secure’ and has a padlock symbol in the address bar.

4. Keep Software Updated: Make sure to regularly update the operating system on your phone, computer and tablet. These updates often include important security updates.

5. Guard your Personal Information

• Mind your personal data very closely. Be careful what you share on social media as fraudsters can use this information to guess passwords and answer security questions.
• Shred documents containing personal information before disposing of them.

6. Monitor your Accounts Regularly: Regularly check your account and card statements via online banking services. This way you can spot fraud early and report it immediately.

7. Be cautious with public Wi-Fi: Avoid making payment over public Networks. Private Network (VPN) to encrypt your data.

8. Shop safely online: Only buy from trusted retailers. Use tools like Scamchecker.ie from FraudSmart to verify websites before making purchases. Click here for more info https://fraudsmart.scamchecker.ie.

9. Contact your credit union or bank immediately if you think you have responded to a scam text message or phone call.

Simple actions help you stay one step ahead of the scammers! For more information on scams, visit www.fraudsmart.ie.

Be Informed, Be Alert, Be Secure - Be FraudSMART