Security Tips

Dawson Co-op Credit Union is committed to maintaining the highest level of security and privacy on each your accounts and personal information every day.

Security Tips

Dawson Co-op Credit Union is committed to maintaining the highest level of security and privacy on each your accounts and personal information every day.

Fraud/Identity Theft

Identity Theft is a serious crime. It occurs when your personal information is stolen and used without your knowledge to commit fraud or other crimes. Identity theft can cost you time and money. It can destroy your credit and ruin your good name.

Deter identity thieves by safeguarding your information

  • Shred financial documents and paperwork with personal information before you discard them.
  • Protect your Social Security number. Don’t carry your Social Security card in your wallet or write your number on a check. Give it out only if absolutely necessary or ask to use another identifier.
  • Don’t give out personal information on the phone, through the mail, or over the Internet unless you know who you are dealing with.
  • Never click on links sent in unsolicited emails; instead, type in a web address you know. Use firewalls, anti-spyware, and anti-virus software to protect your home computer; keep them up-to-date. Visit www.OnGuardOnline.gov for more information.
  • Don’t use an obvious password like your birth date, your mother’s maiden name, or the last four digits of your Social Security number.
  • Keep your personal information in a secure place at home, especially if you have roommates, employ outside help, or are having work done in your house.
  • Detect suspicious activity by routinely monitoring your financial accounts and billing statements.
  • Be alert to signs that require immediate attention:
    • Bills that do not arrive as expected
    • Unexpected credit cards or account statements
    • Denials of credit for no apparent reason
    • Calls or letters about purchases you did not make
  • Inspect your credit report. Credit reports contain information about you, including what accounts you have and your bill paying history. The law requires the major nationwide consumer reporting companies – Equifax, Experian, and TransUnion – to give you a free copy of your credit report each year if you ask for it.
  • Inspect your financial statements. Review financial accounts and billing statements regularly, looking for charges you did not make.

Visit www.AnnualCreditReport.com or call 1-877-322-8228, a service created by these three companies, to order your free credit reports each year. You also can write: Annual Credit Report Request Service, PO Box 105281, Atlanta, GA 30348-5281.

Traveling? Remember these security tips before you go

  • Check your cards. Know the expiration date. If it is a new card, make sure your card has been activated before you leave.

  • Know your financial institution’s restrictions on daily withdrawal limit.

  • Make a copy of cards, ID, and passport. Keep in a safe place. 

  • Keep a record of card account numbers and telephone numbers (for reporting lost or stolen cards) and put in a safe place.

  • Get in touch with your financial institution. Tell them where and when you’ll be traveling – this can help ensure that your card isn’t flagged for unusual activity.

  • Traveling abroad – review daily withdrawal limit and purchase limit. It may be a good idea to request an increase to your daily withdrawal amounts.

  • Carry more than one form of payment in case one gets lost or stolen.

  • Keep sales slips as proof of purchase for customs, in case of a dispute, and for reconciling your account when you get home.

  • Do not keep PINs with your card.

Important Online Security Information

  • The Dawson Co-op Credit Union wants to ensure the online protection of your personal and account information. Please note:
  • The Dawson Co-op Credit Union will not ask you to submit personal or account information via email.
  • For your protection, any email sent from the Dawson Co-op Credit Union including member service emails or email alerts will require that you successfully login to our secure website at www.dawsonco-opcu.com before entering any personal information.
  • If you ever receive an email appearing to be from the Dawson Co-op Credit Union that asks for your personal information such as your Account Number or Social Security Number, do not respond to the email. Please notify us immediately at (866) 529-4623.

Responding to E-Mail and Internet-Related Fraudulent Schemes
The number one rule….don’t respond! Call or contact the Dawson Co-op Credit Union and let us know of the unusual email.

ChexSystems Consumer Assistance

FTC Identity Theft Recovery Guide

Other Resources

Dawson Co-op Credit Union provides our members with a wide range of useful resources to help our members find the best solutions for their financial needs.