At United Northwest Federal Credit Union we care about our members. We know that you work hard for your money and want to do everything we can to help you protect it. Our debit and credit cards are equipped with Fraud Protection programs that work around the clock to monitor your transactions and stop unwanted activity. We understand that sometimes this may seem like more of a hassle than it is helpful, but these security measures are in place for your protection. We hope understanding the way this service works, the types of transactions that seem to flag your cards, and ways to work around them will help avoid the hassle.
Our Fraud Prevention teams monitor your transactions and determine a regular pattern. Transactions that may flag your card are purchases outside your normal area of travel, such as out of state or out of country transactions, multiple transactions at the same merchant back to back, or multiple online transactions back to back. Once the card is flagged, our fraud team places a temporary block on your card. They attempt to contact you to confirm the transactions. We receive e-mail notifications of the block and will also attempt to contact you. (This is why it is so important to keep your contact information with us current. If your primary phone number changes, please let us know right away so we can update our system!) The card will remain blocked until someone is able to contact you. If you are able to confirm the transactions are yours the block will be promptly lifted. If you do not recognize the transactions, the block becomes permanent. Please make sure to contact us right away so we can send in a dispute to the merchant on your behalf to recover the funds and issue you a new debit or credit card.
CORONAVIRUS Fraud/Scams
During the Covid-19 pandemic we were made aware of multiple types of fraud. Government officials are warning consumers to be extra cautious when opening e-mails, answering phone calls, and depositing items from unknown sources. Click HERE for a list of Covid-19 related scams published by the CFPB.
The Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA), U.S. Department of Treasury, the Internal Revenue Service (IRS), and the United States Secret Service (USSS) have issued a joint alert urging Americans to be on the lookout for criminal fraud related to economic impact payments (EIPs), particularly fraud using coronavirus lures to steal personal and financial information, as well as the economic impact payments themselves, and for adversaries seeking to disrupt payment efforts. The IRS published an article ‘Do not let scammers get your COVID-19 economic impact payments‘ . (Follow the link to access)
Other types of common scams are listed in the following article, ‘Common Member Scams‘. Use this Checklist from CUNA to help protect yourself. (Follow the link to access)
Credit Cards
The daily limitations on your credit card reset every 24 hours. Your daily transaction limit is $5,000.00. There is also a limit of 10 transactions per day. These can be altered in emergency situations if absolutely necessary by contacting one of our member service representatives. If you know you are traveling outside of your normal transaction range, please contact us before you go. We can place a travel notification on your cards which alerts our fraud team that those purchases may be coming and can prevent the fraud block from happening.
Debit Cards
Kearney Nebraska and McCook Nebraska are common areas that often trigger a fraud block on member’s cards. If you know you are traveling to either of these places, or any other area outside of your normal transaction range, please contact us before you go. We can place a travel notification on your cards which alerts our fraud team that those purchases may be coming and can prevent the fraud block from happening.
There are also daily limitations on your debit card, which reset every 24 hours. Your daily transaction limit is $1,000.00 and your daily cash limit is $500.00. Both of these can be raised or lowered at your request by calling one of our member service representatives.
Our new mobile app gives you the power to control your debit card. If you discover your card is missing or you see a transaction on your account you do not recognize, you have the ability to block the card via the app. Under your menu, select remote control cards and click on the card you want to deactivate. You may reactivate the card the same way. If the card is lost and a replacement card is needed, please contact us as soon as possible. You may also report your card lost or stolen by calling Transfund directly at (800) 791-2525 or by calling either of our branch offices.
eAlerts are also great ways to control your debit card and monitor your own transactions. These cannot be set on your mobile app, but are maintained on the desktop version of your internet banking. Select your menu and click on eAlerts under your Services section and set your parameters. If you are having trouble viewing or setting these alerts up, contact one of our member service representatives for assistance.
Typically fraudsters will gain access to your card information and either make a duplicate card to use at a merchant who allows cash back transactions, or use the card information online to purchase gift cards, iTunes cards, or similar items. These security measures limit the amount the fraudster would have access to if your card information is stolen.
Keep your card with you, or in a safe place at all times! Only enter your card information on protected sites you know and trust. Do not give out your information to any unknown source who calls or e-mails you. Legitimate businesses will not reach out to you and ask you for personal information. If you feel like you have given someone your information or entered it somewhere that is not legitimate, take action right away to prevent potential losses.