We’ve got your back.
It can be frustrating, even frightening, the lengths criminals will go to scam us out of our money and/or identities. Protecting ourselves from fraudsters and hackers can sometimes seem like a full-time job. That’s why we’ve put together this page.
It offers tips and advice, alerts you to services we offer that can help monitor your accounts and notifies you of recent scams that we’ve been made aware of. Staying informed means staying safe. And staying safe gives you a greater sense of financial well-being so you can concentrate on other areas of your life.
It’s important to know that Credit Union of New Jersey will never ask you for confidential information, such as your full social security number, your bank account number, debit or credit card numbers, CVV or PIN in an email or via a website, online chat or from an unsolicited visit or phone call.
You can stop a scammer just by not giving them the info they want.
And, of course, we’ll give you all the steps and information you need to secure your accounts and avoid getting tricked by devious fraudsters.
The Fraud Report
There’s always a new scam on the block. We’ll keep you posted on the latest fraud attempts in use.
ID Theft Protection
Secure passwords and two-factor authentication are essential for protecting yourself from identity theft.
Fraud Alerts
Fraud alerts are one way to stay on top of suspicious activity on your credit report and protect yourself from identity theft.
Debit Card Safety
Protect your debit card from fraud by monitoring your account and being vigilant when shopping online.
Debit Card and Identity Theft Scams
Be aware of scams such as card skimming, phishing, vishing and social engineering to protect yourself from fraud.
Debit and Credit Card Controls
Credit Union of New Jersey debit and credit cards come with lots of protective measures, including alerts and instant card freezes. Use them!
The latest fraud schemes and scams report
Security update (02/01/2023): Zelle scams
Zelle is an easy way to send and receive money, which means it’s also an easy target for hackers. Zelle’s main vulnerability is that payments are instant and irreversible. If you lose your phone and have the Zelle app, a criminal can initiate transfers from your account. However, in most cases, Zelle scams are the result of trickery. Here are some known Zelle scams and how to avoid them.
CU of NJ offers Zelle to our members, but other cash-sending apps like Venmo and CashApp are just as vulnerable to these scams, and if you use those or any others, you should take the same precautions!
Impersonation: Scammers can use Zelle to trick you into sending them money. They might pretend to be a friend, family member, company, government agency, or charity in urgent need of funds.
Malware scam: Be wary of clicking on suspicious links or attachments in emails or text messages, as they may contain malicious software (malware). This malicious software can give attackers access to your device, allowing them to send money from your Zelle app without your permission. They could even hijack your banking apps in order to transfer money directly from your account. Other malware may try to steal your password when you try to login to your bank account via the web browser, or redirect you to a phishing site.
Romance: Catfishing or “romance” scams are also increasing in frequency. In fact, they’re the most common Zelle scams. According to the Federal Trade Commission, “people sent $547 million to online romance scammers last year,” and “in the past five years, people have reported losing a staggering $1.3 billion to romance scams, more than any other FTC fraud category.
It all begins with a phony dating profile on one of the many popular social media sites or apps. People exchange hundreds of texts with the fraudsters, who are charming and can make people fall in love with them, and then they start asking for money or presents, often requesting cash through Zelle.
Goods-and-services scam: Someone will offer an item at a discounted rate if you pay with Zelle within a limited time frame. If it’s too good to be true, it probably is! Watch out for unusually low prices or rare items when you shop online.
Fake invoice: Fraudsters may send you an email or text message that looks like it’s from a company you trust. The message could tell you to click a link to view an invoice. If you click this link, you may get taken to a fake website requesting payment via Zelle.
Lottery scam: This scam is an attempt to get access to your account. It may look like you’ve won a lottery, but it’s actually a scam. You’ll receive an email or text claiming you’ve won a prize, asking you to click a link and enter your Zelle account information. The link will take you to a fake website that looks like the lottery company’s site, but it’s actually a way for scammers to get access to your account.
Fake emergency: Watch out for someone asking to use your phone to make an emergency call. If it’s a stranger or someone you don’t trust, don’t give them your phone. They may try to access your Zelle account and send themselves a payment.
Business account scam: Beware of a new type of scam popping up on resale sites like Facebook Marketplace. If you’re selling an expensive item, make sure your buyer is legit. The Better Business Bureau has warned of fraudsters who pretend to pay for the item, then get you to send them money back. They typically use fake emails to send you a fake invoice, saying they’ve paid with a business account and you must upgrade to a Zelle business account to access the payment (for $300). If you refund the $300, you’ll find out the payment was fake and you’ve lost your money. To stay safe, always check for payments through your Zelle app, don’t trust screenshots or emails, beware of buyers offering more than you listed the item for, and never agree to refund a payment.
If you’re the victim of a Zelle scam, you should report it immediately online to the FBI Internet Crime Complain Center or call the FBI’s toll-free fraud hotline at 833- FRAUD-11. If you are enrolled in Zelle through Credit Union of New Jersey, contact us directly, but if you’re enrolled with the Zelle app not through us, you can fill out this online form or call 844-428-8542.
Security update (01/27/2023): recent texting scam targeting our members
Validating a transaction via link: If you get a text that looks like it’s from Credit Union of New Jersey asking you to click a link to validate a transaction or if it asks you to provide your account number, username, password or PIN, block that number! Never share this info online or in a text. Never click on links sent to you.
Reactivating your account via link: As above, never click a link sent via text to you, even if it looks like it’s from us! It may ask you to enter your login info, which the scammers then use to access your account or steal your identity or financial information.
A follow-up phone validation: The fake Credit Union of New Jersey text may inform you that you’ll receive a phone call from a “credit union representative regarding your account.” They may ask for your username and password or tell you to read back a one-time passcode to your text or email. Hang up! We will never ask you for this information.
Security update (06/09/2022): recent phishing scam via telephone
We have been recently notified that there has been a Phishing attempt via telephone. Credit Union of New Jersey will never ask you for your account or personal information via email, text or telephone.
Rest assured that there has not been any data breach, and your financial information is safe. If you have already shared your Credit Union of New Jersey account information with these scammers, please call us immediately at 609.538.4061. If you have received this phone call, you may also want to report the fraud to the Federal Trade Commission by calling 877.IDTHEFT.
Security update (03/10/2022): mobile banking malware
While CU of NJ does not have any indication that our Mobile App is impacted by mobile banking malware, we are working with our provider to ensure your safety and security, as well as looking into precautions members should take. It is recommended that members employ security best practices to proactively avoid and mitigate this threat, including:
- Installing an antivirus app and keeping it updated
- Avoiding installing Android apps from third-party websites or unreliable sources
- Reading the permissions requested by every application before installing
- Performing regular backup of data stored in devices
- Protecting devices with a password
- Not viewing or sharing personal information over public WiFi networks
We will continue to research this and update you on any additional findings.
Security update (02/19/2022): smishing scam
We have been alerted that members may have received a text message asking the member to call Card Services at a local New Jersey phone number in regard to their ATM/Debit card. Remember, we will never ask you for your account or personal information via email, text or telephone.
There has been no data breach as a result of this scam, and your CU of NJ financial information is safe. If you have already shared your Credit Union of New Jersey account information with these scammers, please call us immediately at 609.538.4061. If you have received this phone call you may also want to report the fraud to the Federal Trade Commission by calling 877.IDTHEFT.
Keeping you protected
Scammers are always coming up with new ways to trick people into giving them their personal and financial information. Protecting our members’ financial information is our top priority, so we do our best to stay aware of the more serious scams to be able to alert our members as swiftly as possible. Check back often to stay up-to-date on the latest posts. Here are some of the most common scams that exist and how our members can recognize signs of fraud:
- ATM/Debit card skimming
- Phishing scams
- Vishing scams
- Check scams
- Fake text messages and emails
- Social engineering
ATM/Debit card skimming
This is when a scammer attaches a device to a card reader, such as an ATM or gas pump, that captures your card information. They then use this information to make unauthorized charges on your account. To protect yourself from card skimming, always check for any unusual attachments on card readers before using them.
Phishing scams
These are scams where scammers send emails or text messages that appear to be from your bank, asking you to click on a link or provide your personal and financial information. Always be wary of unsolicited messages and double-check the sender’s email address before providing any information.
Vishing
Vishing is the criminal practice of using a computer technology called Voice over Internet Protocol (VoIP). This allows criminals to call your phone anonymously in an effort to get a potential victim to reveal sensitive financial information. An example would be receiving a call saying that there are unauthorized charges on your credit card. You are provided with a toll-free number and asked to call it to confirm the card number and details about the account. If this information is given, a thief will have all the information needed to run up charges on your card.
Remember that Credit Union of New Jersey will never call you and ask for your personal information. Here is additional details on vishing and ways you can protect yourself from this type of scam:
Vishing…A New Identity Theft Threat
Check scams
Be aware if someone you don’t know sends you a check and then asks you to wire them a portion of the money back. This is most likely a scam! If you are unsure about whether or not a check is valid, it is best to bring it to the CU of NJ branch nearest to you immediately. If you believe that you have been contacted in any way as part of a scam, please call us at 609.538.4061.
Fake text messages and official-looking emails
Credit Union of New Jersey and the Credit Union National Association (CUNA) are aware of text messages and emails being made about:
- Confirming account or credit card numbers
- Account deactivation
- Account status alerts
- Changes to Terms and Conditions
- Irregular activity
The emails and text messages ask that the member call a number in order to have their account reactivated. Some may request that you leave callback information or provide your financial information directly. All of these messages are fraudulent. Please do not respond to these messages. We will never ask you for your account or personal information via email, text or telephone.
Social engineering
This is when a scammer tricks you into providing your personal and financial information by posing as a customer service representative or a government official. Be suspicious of any unsolicited phone calls or emails asking for personal information. Credit Union of New Jersey will never ask you for your account details or personal information via email, text or telephone.
Protecting you from identity theft
Identity theft is a growing concern in today’s digital age, and it’s important to take steps to protect yourself. One of the most effective ways to do this is by setting up a secure password for your accounts.
A strong password:
- is at least 8 characters long
- includes a mix of letters, numbers, and special characters
- doesn’t use easily guessable information, such as birthdate or a pet’s name
- is never used on multiple accounts
It is advised to use a different password for each account. That way, other accounts will remain secure in case one password is compromised.
Another important step is to enable two-factor authentication (2FA) on your accounts. Two-factor authentication (2FA) is a way to add an extra layer of security to your online accounts. Instead of just a password, 2FA requires something you know (your password) and something you have (like your phone) to log in.
Here’s how to set it up:
- Go to the account settings of the website or app that you want to add 2FA to. Look for options related to security or login.
- Find the option to enable two-factor authentication. You may have to install an authenticator app on your phone, or you may be prompted to enter your phone number to receive a code via text message.
- Once you’ve set up 2FA, you’ll be prompted to enter a code from the authenticator app or receive via text message every time you log in to that account.
- Keep your authenticator app updated and don’t share the code with anyone.
- Make sure you have a backup plan in case you lose your phone or can’t access your authenticator app. Many sites allow you to print or save backup codes to use in case of emergency.
With two-factor authentication, you can be sure that even if someone knows your password, they won’t be able to access your account without the code from your phone.
To further protect yourself, be extra cautious when opening emails or clicking on links from unknown sources. These can be phishing attempts, where hackers try to trick you into giving them your login information. Lastly, regularly check your credit report and bank statements for any suspicious activity.
For more in-depth discussion on Identity Theft protection, here are some additional resources:
Setting up fraud alerts
Fraud alerts are a great tool to help protect you from identity theft. They are a notification service that is provided by credit bureaus, which alert you when there is suspicious activity on your credit report. Once you set up a fraud alert, you will be contacted if any new accounts are opened in your name, or if there are any suspicious changes to your existing accounts.
There are two types of fraud alerts: initial and extended. An initial fraud alert lasts for 90 days and can be renewed for an additional 90 days. An extended fraud alert lasts for seven years and requires that you provide a copy of a government-issued ID, such as a driver’s license or passport.
Setting up a fraud alert is easy and free. You can do it online or by phone. You will be asked to provide some personal information, such as your name, address, and Social Security number, to confirm your identity.
Measures to keep Your debit card safe
It’s important to take steps to protect your debit card from fraud and theft. Here are a few measures you can take to keep your debit card safe:
- Never share your debit card information with anyone.
- Keep an eye on your account balance and transactions.
- Don’t use your debit card on public Wi-Fi networks.
- Use a password or PIN to protect your debit card.
- Keep your debit card in a safe place, and never leave it unattended.
- Report any suspicious activity on your debit card to your bank right away.
Another thing to keep in mind is to be vigilant when shopping online. Make sure the website you’re using is secure and that it’s legitimate. Be cautious when clicking on links or opening emails from unknown sources. With constant vigilance over your online accounts and keeping your debit card information private and using a password or PIN, you can help protect your debit card from fraud and theft.
Protecting your cards with controls
Card controls are anti-fraud and security features built right into your e-Banking or Mobile Banking options. This free service gives you complete control over your credit card and debit card transactions, including the ability to:
- Turn your credit card on/off in seconds
- Use GPS to control transactions within a designated location
- Limit card use to specific merchants or purchases
- Set credit card spending limits to match your budget
- Report a lost or stolen card
- Cancel your credit card
For your debit card, you can also set SMS/Text alerts on transactions, ensuring that even if someone uses it, you’ll know instantly and can take immediate action. To set up debit card alerts, visit the CU of NJ Debit Card Registration page.
These are free services that we encourage you to take advantage of. Protecting your cards is one of the steps to financial peace of mind. Don’t delay, sign up today!
Enjoy the freedom to prosper. If you have questions about our Fraud Protection options, just give us a call at 609.538.4061 or 800.538.4061, email us at memberservices@cunj.org, or stop by one of our branches.
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