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
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
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Check your cards. Know the expiration date. If it is a new card, make sure your card has been activated before you leave.
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Know your financial institution’s restrictions on daily withdrawal limit.
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Make a copy of cards, ID, and passport. Keep in a safe place.
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Keep a record of card account numbers and telephone numbers (for reporting lost or stolen cards) and put in a safe place.
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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.
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Traveling abroad – review daily withdrawal limit and purchase limit. It may be a good idea to request an increase to your daily withdrawal amounts.
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Carry more than one form of payment in case one gets lost or stolen.
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Keep sales slips as proof of purchase for customs, in case of a dispute, and for reconciling your account when you get home.
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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.