Key points to know when trying to determine if you are involved in a scam

  • When we call you Grand Trunk (BC) EFCU employees will NEVER ask you for the following:
    • Full debit or credit card number
    • PIN number
    • Usernames or any account passwords
    • Codeword
    • Security questions, including any answers
    • Account numbers
  • If you receive a call asking for the above information please HANG UP and call us immediately at (269) 965-1381.
  • If you receive a text or email asking for the above information DO NOT CLICK on it and please call us immediately.
  • Don’t click, open, and download unknown files or attachments.
    • Opening or downloading files from text and emails can be extremely dangerous, even if it is from someone you know. Verify the email or text before you open it. Scammers can disguise themselves as an everyday company or organization that you use often, such as your financial institution or PayPal, delivery companies like FedEx, or even online stores like Amazon. Clicking files can download viruses on your phone, computer, or tablet, that can access your personal information.
  • Protect your Mastercard Debit Card & Visa Credit Cards.
    • In our mobile app, you can also go to “Manage My Cards” where you can activate receiving activity alerts and can temporarily lock/unlock your cards if you were to misplace it. This is also available in our online banking as well. If you think someone has your card number lock your card  or call immediately to prevent any fraudulent transactions.
  • There is no prize.
    • Some popular examples are you are being told you have won a lottery, a trip, or another large dollar ticket item. IF YOU HAVE TO PAY ANYTHING TO GET THE PRIZE, IT IS NOT A PRIZE!
  • You do not need to decide now.
    • During most legitimate offers, businesses or individuals will give you time to think it over and/or will draw up documents to sign before asking you to commit. It is common for scammers to give you a scenario that seems urgent that pressures you into making a decision or to give out personal information on the spot. They are also hoping that they can get you to send money quick enough that you do not have time to question their story or to talk to a trusted family or friend for someone to possibly talk you out of sending money. PLEASE STOP AND TALK WITH YOUR FAMILY AND FRIENDS!
  • There is never a good reason to send cash or pay with a gift card.
    • Scammers usually will ask you to pay them in some type of way that makes it hard for you to get your money back. These include wiring money, putting money on a gift card, purchasing gift cards to mail to them, or using a money transfer app. ANYONE WHO ASKS YOU TO PAY THEM FIRST IS A SCAMMER!
  • Never give them access to your computer.
    • Tech scammers may try to lure you with a pop-up window that appears on your computer screen. It looks like an error message from your operating system or antivirus software. The error message in the window is a warning telling you there is a security issue on your computer and tells you to call a phone number to get help.
    • If you call the number on the pop-up alert, they will ask for your personal information to get access to your computer. Once inside your computer, they have access to everything saved, including passwords. This is why we encourage you to never save your passwords.

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