Online Safety Tips

Follow these tips to keep your online activity confidential:

1. Set strong passwords. A strong password is a combination of upper and lower case letters, numbers, and special characters. Some examples of special characters are: @, #, $, %, etc… Change your password frequently. Never write it down or share it with others. Never use your Social Security number as a username or password on ANY website. Don’t use the same password for multiple logins. Don’t use public information such as a phone number as a password. Make sure your recovery email address is up to date so if you ever forget your password it can be emailed to the correct email address.
2. Don’t reveal personal information via email. Emails and text messages can be masked to look like they are coming from a trusted sender when they are actually from someone else. Play it safe, do not send your personal information such as account numbers, Social Security numbers, passwords, etc. via email or texting. Email and text messaging should NOT be considered secure forms of communication.
3. Don’t download that file! Opening files attached to emails can be dangerous especially when they are from someone you don’t know. These unknown files can allow harmful malware or viruses to be downloaded onto your computer.
4. Antivirus is crucial. Make sure you have a good antivirus program on your computer that is up-to-date. There are some good free antivirus programs available on the web but beware, many of these free programs actually contain viruses and (or) spyware. It is always a much safer option to purchase your antivirus program directly from a physical store.
5. Links aren’t always what they seem. Never log in from a link that is embedded in an email message. Criminals can use fake email addresses and make fake web pages that mimic the page you would expect. To avoid falling into their trap, type in the URL address directly, and then log in directly to the site.
6. Websites aren’t always what they seem. Be aware that if you navigate to a website from a link you don’t type, you may end up at a site that looks legitimate, when in fact it’s not. Take time to verify that the web page you’re viewing is an exact match to the URL you expect.
7. Log off from sites when you are done. When you are ready to leave a site you have logged in to, be sure to log off rather than just closing the page.
8. Monitor account activity. Monitor your account activity regularly either online or by reviewing your monthly statements and report any unauthorized transactions right away.
9. Report suspicious activity. If you become aware of account activity that you feel is suspicious, you should notify the authorities as well as Velocity Credit Union, as soon as possible.
10. Assess your risk. We recommend periodically assessing your online banking risk and put into place increased security controls where weaknesses are found; particularly for members with business accounts. Some items to consider when assessing your online banking risk are:
    1. 1. Who has access to your online business accounts?
       2. How and where are user names and passwords stored?
       3. How strong are your passwords and how often are they changed? Are they changed before or immediately after terminating an employee who had access to them?
       4. Do you have dual controls or other checks and balances with respect to access to online banking transactions?
11. Mobile Banking Security Tips
    1. 1. Use the key lock or phone lock function on your mobile device when it is not in use. These functions protect your device so that nobody else can use it or view your information. Also be sure to store your mobile device in a secure location.
       2. Frequently delete text messages from Velocity Credit Union, especially before loaning out, discarding, or selling your mobile device.
       3. Never disclose any personal information (account numbers, passwords, or any of your personal information such as your Social Security number or birth date that could be used in identity theft) via text message.
       4. Text alert users: Be sure to change your mobile number from your banking profile if you lose your mobile device or change your mobile phone number. Simply log into online banking. Once logged in, click on “eServices,” and then “Alert Addresses” to remove or update your phone number.
       5. For your own protection, never register your mobile device as your primary computer. In doing so you would be enabling anyone who may find your device to bypass your authentication security questions.
12. Use Secure Networks. When on a public WIFI, check to see if the website being used is encrypted. “Check to see if the web address begins with https:// – which signals that your connection to the website is encrypted and more resistant to snooping or tampering.”At home, secure a WIFI network with a strong password.
13. Lock Your Screen or Device. Set up your phones, tablets, and computers with a locking feature as soon as it goes into sleep mode. This will help prevent someone from getting to your personal information if you misplace one of these devices.

1. Velocity Credit Union will NEVER call, email, or otherwise contact you and ask for your user name, password or other online banking credentials.
2. Velocity Credit Union will NEVER contact you in any form and ask for your credit or debit card number, PIN or 3-digit security code. We will never contact you and ask you for your routing or account number. We already have that information. (If YOU call US, we will ask for some identity verification.)

Please see below to learn more about how PSCU (our card provider) handles fraud alerts.

If you notice suspicious activity on your card, have received text, email or a call from the Fraud Service Center, or suspect your card has been blocked, please call 512.469.7000.

You may receive a text message from 72488 if a transaction on your account appears to be fraud. It will prompt you to reply “Yes” or “No.” A “Yes” reply means the transaction is valid. A “No” reply means the transaction is fraud. If you reply “No”, you will receive a follow-up call.

Our card provider, PSCU, will identify themselves as “Card Member Service.” They will ask security questions to confirm the cardholder.

When the cardholder’s identity is confirmed, they are then prompted to confirm the reported transaction(s) as legitimate or unrecognized by using their telephone keypad to respond.

If the cardholder indicates that they do not recognize any of the reported transactions, the call is routed to a Fraud Alert Specialist for further action.

With respect to online banking and electronic fund transfers, the federal government has put in place rights and responsibilities for both you and the credit union. These rights and responsibilities are described in the Account Information Disclosures you received when you opened your account with Velocity Credit Union. You can also find them online under the disclosures link. Ultimately, if you notice suspicious account activity or experience security-related events, please contact the credit union immediately at 512.469.7000.

Additional information provided by Google.