Account Security
The safety and security of our members is always top of mind
With an influx of fake texts, emails, and fraudulent phone calls, we want to make sure you’re well educated on how to keep your information private.
Don't get scammed
Know what to look for and what questions to ask yourself.
ALWAYS
- Verify by calling, and please CALL before you CLICK!
- Change your password(s) regularly.
- Report scams and fraudulent texts.
- Sign up for Account Alerts inside Digital Banking.
NEVER
- Provide your entire account number or PIN.
- Click a link or attachment from an unknown source.
- Give information over the phone if you didn’t call them.
- Wire or money transfer – EVER… (especially when they want you to act IMMEDIATELY!)
Protecting your financial footprint
The best frontline defense against fraud is YOU. Here are some tips and tricks to keep your personal information secure.
Fraudsters can falsify phone numbers and email addresses to make it appear that they are contacting you from a legitimate source. To be safe, don’t provide your personal information to people who have contacted you by phone, text, email, or social media. PenAir already has your information on file and will only ask for it over the phone if you’ve initiated contact.
Protect your personal information and your device. PenAir’s digital featuresDigital Banking allow you to set notifications of suspicious and unusual account activity.
- Manage your account information by enrolling in eStatements. Get immediate access to your bank statements for your tax or personal records. Reviewing your account activity through your statements & online banking also helps prevent unauthorized transactions from going unnoticed.
Sign up for text alerts which will allow you to be notified by text, email, or phone by your financial institution if we suspect fraudulent activity on your account. - Set up notifications for account activity, balance updates, set travel notices, and report cards lost or stolen. By setting up notifications on your account, you’ll be in the know with the latest transaction and balance activity on your account.
- The only safe place to download the PenAir App is from the official Apple and Google app stores. Alternative application sources may not be legitimate and put your security at risk.
- Help protect your identify by viewing and monitoring your credit score inside digital banking!
Online and mobile banking makes handling your finances easier and more convenient, but it is imperative to make sure that you are protecting your financial information.
- Build strong passwords for your accounts and make them all different. Use a combination of upper- and lower-case letters, numbers, and special characters (i.e. !, @, #, &, :, /) to create a password that is not easily guessed (don’t use your birthday). The longer they are, the harder they are to guess!
- Create different passwords for multiple accounts and change them regularly for enhanced protection. Avoid using names, dates, or common words.
- Do not use the “save password” feature in your browser, write your password down, or share it with anyone.
- A password manager is an excellent way to safely manage your passwords. It allows you to generate strong passwords, store multiple passwords for different accounts, and update them on a regular basis to keep your information secure without having to memorize.
- Take advantage of multi-factor authentication (MFA) whenever it’s available for an additional layer of verification.
- Require a password for computers, tablets, or phones, and never leave your device unattended. Always log off or lock your devices if you step away and/or when you are finished.
- Make sure your information is up to date with your financial institution. This makes it easier for them to authenticate you, for security purposes.
Identity Theft
We want you to be informed when it comes to the latest security threats, so you can be proactive in keeping your information safe. Identity theft occurs when someone uses your personal information to commit fraud or other crimes. It may also involve computer fraud, mail fraud, wire fraud, and financial institution fraud.
Fortunately, there are preventative measures you can take to substantially reduce the chance of identity theft occurring, as well as steps to recover from any damage if you are a victim.
The BALANCE Financial Fitness Program provides members with current information on the latest identity theft scams. Learn more about ways to safeguard yourself from becoming a victim of identity theft by accessing these Identity Theft Solutions
If your PenAir account has been compromised, please contact us immediately at 850.505.3200 (Option 2) so that all necessary precautions are taken to safeguard your account(s).
Email Phishing and Phone Number Spoofing
Email internet and phone number spoofing fraud is becoming more and more common.
Email fraud attempts, called “phishing”, are initiated via email and sent to the general public which may include some of our credit union members. The false email asks the recipient to click on a link which has been provided and to enter certain account information for verification. If the recipient proceeds to click on the link, it directs them to a false website and asks for their credit union account number and PIN, along with other personal information.
Phone number spoofing is where a legitimate phone number is used to pretend to be a legitmate business, a neighbor or another party. These attempts are made by a phone call or text message to the general public which may include some of our credit union members. The caller or texter asks the receipient for personal information that can include usernames, passwords, transaction history, loan types, joint owners, etc in an attempt to access the account.
PenAir does not ask its members for such personal information. Anyone who receives an email, text or phone call that purports to be from PenAir and asks for account information should consider it to be a fraudulent attempt to obtain their personal account data for an illegal purpose and should not follow the instructions in the email, text or call.
If you responded to such an email, text or call and provided any confidential account information, please notify PenAir immediately. You should also change your account’s PIN, and take any additional actions recommended by your credit union to protect your account.
Know the score
Stay on top of changes to your credit.
Don't just take our word for it.
Call in the Big Wigs:
- Avoid Scams/Be Smart Online (Federal Trade Commission)
- FBI Internet Fraud Complaint Center
- Federal Trade Commission: 877.IDTHEFT or www.ftc.gov/idtheft
- Identity Theft Resource Center
- Privacy Right Clearinghouse
- Social Security Fraud Hotline: 800.269.0271 or https://www.ssa.gov/antifraudfacts/
- U.S Department of Justice
- Postal Inspectors: 800.372.8347
- To report CHECK fraud: Telecheck: 800.710.9898 or Chexsystems: 800.428.9623
Keep up with the latest fraud tactics, scams, and how you can avoid them.
Facebook Scams 101
Scam-proof Your Financial Life (online)
Hurricane Related Scams
Need a little more information?
The new automated system can reach you faster by text, phone, or email to review and identify potentially fraudulent activity on your card. Make sure you log in to Digital Banking and update any outdated contact info, so you don’t miss out on these important notifications.
Members should be aware that, while PenAir Credit Union DOES monitor fraudulent or suspicious account activity and may proactively contact a member about this activity, we will NEVER call and ask for confidential information such as your entire account number or PIN. Call 1.877.473-6247 if you have provided confidential information.
It is the NCUSIF that insures and is backed with he full faith and credit of the U.S. government. The NCUSIF provides up to $250,000 in coverage for each single ownership account, in the event of a Credit Union failure. To learn more visit: mycreditunion.gov.