Touchstone FCU...Keeping You Safe

Touchstone FCU is committed to your security – on and off line. Check here for fraud prevention tips, news on the latest fraudulent scams, and security terminology!

Security Term of the Month

SSL (Secure Sockets Layer): A session layer protocol that provides authentication and confidentiality to applications.

For more security terms, go to our new security Glossary.

Identity Theft – Crime of Opportunity
A recent study released by Javelin Strategy and Research showed that up to 43% of identity theft cases in 2008 were linked to crimes of opportunity, such as stolen wallets. That was an increase of 33% in 2007. Women were 26% more likely to be victims of identity theft and reported more cases of stolen information during in-store purchases. The study showed that online access accounted for only 11% of identity theft cases. While identity theft jumped last year by 22% over 2007, the good news is that the average cost per incident fell 31% to $496.00. What precautions can you take to prevent and detect identity fraud?

Banking online is a good first step. Financial institutions continue to take aggressive steps to make online banking safe, and people who check their accounts online can catch any signs of fraudulent activity more quickly. Paying bills through the mail offers another opportunity for thieves to steal your personal information.

Keep your PIN and personal information to yourself. Over 10% of victims knew their identity thieves, and in those cases the theft went undetected longer and cost the victim more.

Be aware of those around you. When giving information out in public, be aware of the people around you and limit the amount of personal information you divulge in public places, retail stores, for example.

Limit the amount of personal information you carry with you. Leave your checkbook and Social Security cards at home. Don’t carry anymore personal information on you than you need.
posted March 1, 2009

Heartland Payment Breach: Please Check Your Accounts
For more information on the Heartland security breach, click here.
updated March 1, 2009

Important Notice: NCUA Phishing Fraud
A fraudulent e-mail seeking credit card information (known as a "phishing fraud") has been circulating nationwide since January 16. This fraudulent phishing email appears to be from NCUA and contains a link purportedly to obtain a subscription for the NCUA Express Subscription service. When that link is used, the recipient is directed to a "clone" of the NCUA Express Service site that seeks credit card information from those to whom the phish was sent. If you receive such an email, please ignore it, as it is fraudulent. The NCUA does NOT charge for the Express Subscription service and does NOT solicit credit card information over the Internet. If you have questions or comments, please contact the NCUA Fraud Hotline at 800-827-9650 or, during off duty hours, at 703-728-0700.
posted January, 2009

Review Statements to Avoid Potential Holiday Credit Card Fraud
Don't forget to review your Visa credit card statements to check for any potential

fraudulent use during the holiday season. If something on your statements does not seem right, please call us immediately at (978) 657-2223. Credit card fraud is increasing, but you can do something about it. Remember to view your statements carefully. Sign up for home banking, and review all your accounts regularly online to avoid problems.

Also, make sure we have your current phone information on file so that we can quickly contact you if we think there are any potential issues with your account(s).

Traveling Out of State with Your Visa Credit Card?
Visa credit card holders, if you are traveling out of state, please let Touchstone know. For the safety and peace of mind of our members, we have a security "lock-out" on your credit card that will not allow you to use the card out of state. This security precaution could freeze your account when you try to use it unless you've informed us of your plans. On your written request, we can release the "lock-out" feature for as long as you plan to be away.

 Important News About Phishing Scams
Please be advised that there are several phishing scams that may appear to come from support services of financial institutions. (Anyone with an e-mail address may be susceptible to this scam or others like it.) Please use caution if you receive any e-mails that ask you to provide confidential information or to click links to visit web pages that ask you to provide confidential information.

Many such e-mails are sent by criminals attempting to trick recipients into providing confidential information like user names and passwords. Known as phishing, many such fraudulent e-mails may appear to be from official or trusted sources. Two recent phishing scams you should be aware of are e-mails that purport to come from Network Solutions or Digital Insight. If you receive suspicious e-mails, do not click on the link provided in the e-mail.

October 2008

Fraud Prevention Tips
Here are some tips to prevent thieves from damaging your good credit and stealing your identity.

1. Do not sign the back of your credit cards. Instead, write “PHOTO ID REQUIRED”.' 



2. When you are writing checks to pay on your credit card accounts, DO NOT put the complete account number on the 'For' line. Instead, just put the last four digits. The credit card company knows the rest of the number, and anyone who might be handling your check as it passes through all the check processing channels won't have access to it.



3. Put your work phone # on your checks instead of your home phone. If you have a PO Box use that instead of your home address. If you do not have a PO Box, use your work address.  Never have your SS#  printed on your checks. (You can add it if it is necessary, but if you have It 
printed, anyone can get it.)



4. Place the contents of your wallet on a photocopy machine. Photocopy both sides of each license, credit card, etc. You will know what you had in your wallet and all of the account numbers and phone numbers to call and cancel. Keep the photocopy in a safe place.

5. It’s a good idea to carry a photocopy of your passport when you travel either here or abroad.

We've all heard horror stories about fraud that's committed on us in stealing a name, address, Social Security number, credit cards. If your wallet is stolen, within hours thieves can begin to use your credit cards and information to order expensive items. Within days they can apply for another credit card or line of credit, receive a PIN number from the DMV to change your driving record information online, and more. Here's some critical information to limit the damage in case this happens to you or someone you know:



1. We have been told we should cancel our credit cards immediately. But the key is having the toll free numbers and your card numbers handy so you know whom to call.  Keep those where you can find them.

2. File a police report immediately in the jurisdiction where your credit cards, etc., were stolen. This proves to credit providers you were diligent, and this is a first step toward an investigation (if there ever is one).

3. Most importantly, call the 3 national credit reporting organizations immediately to place a fraud alert on your name and also call the Social Security fraud line number. The alert means any company that checks your credit knows your information was stolen, and they have to contact you by phone to authorize new credit. A delay in reporting the stolen cards can lead to more damage to your credit and your name.

The numbers you always need to contact about your wallet, if it has been stolen are:
Equifax - 1-800-525-6285
Experian  (formerly TRW) -  1-888-397-3742

Trans Union - 1-800-680 7289

Social Security Administration (fraud line) - 1-800-269-0271

posted May, 2008


Could You Be Caught in a Check Scam? Avoid being caught in a check scam. Visit www.fakechecks.org for more information on check scams and how they work. 

On Guard! Learn to protect yourself from malicious spyware and fraudulent e-mails at www.OnGuardOnline.gov, a Web site created by the Department of Justice in partnership with other federal agencies and the technology industry to help you stay safe online.

View Previous Articles 

A New Twist on a Familiar Scam

Nigerian Scam

Vishing

Take Precautions with Your ATM Card

It May Not be Visa Calling

T.J. Maxx Information

ATM Safe Summer

Jury and ID Scams

IRS Warns of New Phishing Scams

7 Travel Tips to Ensure Financial Safety

Keep Your Holidays Merry and Financially Safe

Dept. of Justice Phishing Scam

CUNA Phishing Scam

Digital Insight Phishing Scam

Enhanced Login Security
Online security has always been a top priority for Touchstone, and we recognize that secure access to your accounts should be available to you everyday, everywhere. In order to continue to provide safe online access, Touchstone has the latest online security feature—Enhanced Login Security. Enhanced Login Security identifies you as the “true” owner of your accounts, no matter where you are. Now, not only will your password be recognized, your computer will be recognized as well. Enhanced Login Security is just one more way to prevent fraud, protect against identity theft, and strengthen your online security as a whole. 

Important!  To ensure the effectiveness of this service, if you change your home telephone number, notify Touchstone immediately. 

Fraud can hit anytime...but you're protected. Touchstone Federal Credit Union has taken action to protect your Credit Union Visa Check Card from fraudulent activity. We provide all Members holding Touchstone Federal Credit Union Visa Check Cards FREE around-the-clock protection against the increasingly savvy perpetrators of Check Card fraud through FraudWatch^® PLUS protection. With FraudWatch^® PLUS, trained analysts watch for suspicious activity on your behalf, 24-7, 365 days a year. An experienced fraud analyst will contact you immediately to verify the authenticity of your card transactions, if warranted.