SECURITY TIPS

South Western is dedicated to ensuring that your accounts remain secure and your personal information private. Here are some tips that will help you feel comfortable when you bank with us, as well as give you some peace of mind in all of your online activities.  

   CONSUMER ALERTS

EMAIL FRAUD ALERT

If you received an email that purported to be from CO-OP Network asking for cardholder information, please note that the email was fraudulent as CO-OP Network never contacts credit union members directly and never requests personal account information. The email should be considered a deceitful attempt to obtain cardholder information with the intent of committing fraudulent activity against your member’s accounts.

Fake browsers warnings dupe users into downloading 'scareware'

Scammers are spoofing the anti-malware warnings of popular browsers to dupe Windows users into downloading fake security software, according to Symantec. Click here for more information!

EFTPS Phishing Scam Targets Tax Payers

A new phishing scam is on the rise and is targeting well-meaning people just trying to get right with the IRS. According to McAfee, the scam targets individuals using the Electronic Federal Tax Payment System (EFTPS) to pay their taxes. Click here for more information!

     Personal Information Protection

• Take steps to reduce the amount of mail you receive that displays personal information.
• Make copies of all the information that you carry daily and keep it in a secure place.
• Be cautious of telephone and door-to-door solicitations.

 

      PERSONAL COMPUTER USAGE

Your PC is your first line of defense on the Internet, and with just a couple of tools and some diligence, you can greatly improve your security.

Make sure your computer has both an anti-spyware protection program that detects and removes spyware and an anti-virus program. Keep both programs updated.

Be very protective of your personal and account information. There are criminals who try to trick you by creating sites that look similar to real sites. The best way to know whom you are dealing with is to type the address in your browser address bar. 

      Email

• If you receive a suspicious email using South Western’s name and asking for personal or South Western account information, you can forward the email to contactus@swfcu.org
• Question suspicious emails. We will never send you an email asking for your online ID or passcode.

 

     ATM

• Use ATMs with surveillance cameras. Select an ATM located near the center of a building. An ATM further from the corner reduces the element of surprise by an assailant and increases effective reaction time by the user.
• Stay Alert. Be especially cautious when strangers offer to help you at the ATM, even if your card is stuck or you are experiencing difficulty with the transaction.