Fraud & Security Center - Protect Your Money with AACU
Spot scams. Get alerts. Learn how to act when fraud hits.
Tips To Keep Your Information Safe
One easy way to protect yourself is to NEVER send funds without doing your research and asking questions.
Do not give out any of the following:
- Your account number
- Social security number
- Account passwords
- Secure access code
- Online banking login ID
- Personal Identification Number (PIN)
Remember, if something seems too good to be true, it probably is!
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No legitimate company will call or email you to confirm your account or personal information.
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Call your Financial Institution's official phone number to verify (or report) the suspicious activity. Scammers often use high-pressure tactics to scare you into sharing information.
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Hang up on automated calls claiming to be the IRS, FBI, or local law enforcement. If a message is left with a phone number to call, do not call the number back.
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Emails may ask you to click a link to verify account information from a legitimate company where you have an account, but the email could be fraudulent. Contact the company directly using a phone number or website you know is valid.
Smart Device Security Tips
Scammers can access your smart device, but we have a few tips to keep your devices secure.
- Lock your phone with a unique pin number to prevent anyone from accessing it if lost or stolen.
- Use a paid Virtual Private Network (VPN) service when on public WiFi or when traveling.
- Use two-factor authentication with important online services such as email and financial services.
- Uninstall smartphone apps you are no longer using.
- Never allow a stranger to use your phone.
Stay Safe Online
Stay safe while you're using an internet browser.
- Use a modern internet browser and keep it up to date.
- Change your usernames and passwords frequently. Avoid using the same password in multiple places.
- Install and run anti-virus software on your computer. Allow your anti-virus software to scan your computer regularly.
- Use two-factor authentication with important online services.
Strong Passwords
Use a trusted password manager to manage the different passwords for each service you utilize. When possible, create unique usernames and strong passwords. Many password managers include browser add-ons and mobile apps. Remember to never share your login credentials.
Don't use names and numbers that are easy to guess like a birth date, number in sequence, house number, etc. Do not use one password for everything. Have multiple passwords and change them often.
- Lowercase letters
- Upper case letters
- Numbers
- Special characters
(i.e. @, &, !, etc.)
Visa® Debit Card Fraud Protection
- We've partnered with our debit card processor to provide 24/7 monitoring for unusual or abnormal activity on your Visa Debit Card.
- If unusual activity is suspected, a text message or automated phone call is placed to resolve the issue.
- Your response to the text or phone call to confirm the transactions are valid results in the alert being cleared and you can use your debit card again.
- Your response to the text or phone call to confirm the transactions are fraudulent results in the card being blocked, stopping any further fraudulent transactions.
- Feel free to contact us at 800.223.1983 to verify the validity of any alert you receive about your Visa® Debit Card.
Best Practices - AACU Security Best Practices FAQs
Never share your account number, online banking login, password, social security number, secure access code, or PIN with anyone, since legitimate companies never ask for these directly. Review Fraud & Security Center for more protection resources.
Lock your phone with a unique PIN, use a VPN on public WiFi, enable two-factor authentication, and uninstall apps you no longer use to reduce your exposure. Review Online & Mobile Banking for app-specific security settings.
A strong password combines lowercase and uppercase letters, numbers, and special characters all together, while always avoiding easily guessed details like birthdays or simple repeated sequential numbers. Check your eligibility before enrolling in online banking.
AACU partners with its debit card processor for 24/7 monitoring, reaching out by text or automated call when unusual activity is detected on your card. Review Debit & Credit Card Management for other card protections.
Avoid clicking links in unexpected emails, even ones that look legitimate, and instead contact AACU directly using a phone number or website you already know is valid. Review Common Scams for common email scam patterns.
Visa® is a trademark owned by Visa International Service Association and used under license.
All cards issued by Air Academy Credit Union pursuant to a license from Visa USA Inc.