It’s no secret that online safety is at the top of everyone’s minds, especially as cyber and financial attacks continually grow in numbers and sophistication. In 2022, Nusenda Credit Union protected our members from nearly $7.3 million in fraud!

No one ever wants to fall victim to online fraud. When it comes to cyber and financial attacks, a commonly asked question is: how can we prevent them?

Thankfully, keeping certain tips in mind will help you identify potential attacks and avoid financial loss and identity theft.

Here are some key things to remember:

• Nusenda Credit Union (or any other financial institution) will never call you, send you a text or e-mail asking you for member numbers, debit card numbers, PINs, Social Security Numbers, etc. We will never ask you to move money from your financial institution. Microsoft, Apple, and other large institutions will never call you to alert you of malware on your computer and ask you to provide them access. If you are unsure of something you are seeing or someone who is contacting you, please call our contact center - we would be happy to help!
• Be leery of information you share on the internet. Younger generations are comfortable online, and tend to be more trusting of others online. Before you apply for remote jobs, or even take advantage of social media contests, research the respective company or social media account extensively. If a job or contest seems too good to be true, it probably is. Be extremely careful about disclosing personal information.
• Unfortunately, relationship financial scams are growing in traction as the years go on. These scams involve fraudsters capitalizing on someone’s desire for friendship or companionship, building trust, and then gaining access to finances. If someone initiates a friendship or relationship with you, and then takes a sudden, deep interest in your finances, be extremely careful of what you share – including banking credentials, account numbers, pin numbers, multi-factor authentication passcodes, etc.   
• Verify EVERYTHING! If you receive a text, email, or call about your account, call your credit union directly and verify what’s actually going on.
• Before you do anything, PAUSE. Cybercriminals try to make you panicked and emotional; don’t fall for it! Always take time to logically assess the situation.
• Be cautious of links. If you don’t know who the text or email is from, do NOT click on any links.
• Regularly update your passwords, and avoid using the same one across multiple accounts.
• Monitor your account activity regularly through Mobile and Internet Banking so you can quickly identify if something is off.
• Always remember- if something feels off, it probably is!

If you have been a victim of an online scam and your financial information has been compromised, contact us immediately. Time is crucial when it comes to preventing or minimizing financial loss! Contact us at 505-889-7755 (800-347-2838 outside the Albuquerque area) or visit us at any of our branch locations.

For more resources on how to protect your identity and finances online, visit Nusenda Credit Union’s Security Center on our website.