Fraud Prevention

Monitor Your Accounts

• Review your account's transaction history frequently using our Mobile App or TCCU Online.
• If your children have accounts, monitor them as well.
• If there are foreign transactions, contact us right away.

Set up Account Alerts

• Our online account platform, TCCU Online, and our mobile app, Town & Country CU, offer email and text alerts notifying you of important account information.
• Set up Account Alerts to stay up to date on your account and essential credit union information.

Enable Multi-Factor Authentication (MFA)

MFA is an authentication method that requires the user to provide two or more verification factors to access an application or account. A common method is having a user enter their username and password, and then require a code that is texted or emailed to the user's authorized device. 

• TCCU Online automatically utilizes MFA.
• Enable MFA with any website or application that offers it to protect your accounts. 
• Never share an MFA code with anyone. 

Public Wi-Fi

• If possible, refrain from accessing your account or other personal information while connected to public Wi-Fi networks, such as airports or coffee shops. There is no way to be sure your data is safe.

Utilize Mobile Wallet

• We offer a direct connection to your Town & Country debit card and credit card through Apple Pay®, Google Pay®, and Samsung Pay®. With Mobile Wallet, your card information is stored securely on your mobile device. Each transaction generates a 15-16 digit number sequence, different from your card number, reducing the risk of your card being compromised.
• Learn more about your device's Mobile Wallet.

Protect Your Pin

• If you cannot use Mobile Wallet, be cautious when making purchases in-store or accessing funds at an ATM by shielding the keypad when you enter your PIN.
• Or select "credit" when using your debit card, so you don't have to enter your PIN.

Usernames and Passwords

• Take advantage of device security. Most mobile devices, tablets, and computers include a username and password option to log onto the device. Check your device's settings to create a username and password.
• Use a different username and password for each online account. Using the same username and password for each account increases your chances of getting hacked in multiple instances.
• Keep your passwords in a safe and secure spot that is easily accessible to you only.

Online Purchases

• Be wary when entering your card information online, including purchases made on your computer, tablet, or mobile device.
• Verify the site and checkout are secure by confirming the URL starts with "https://." Specific sites will also feature a lock or padlock icon. This symbol ensures the site is encrypted, preventing anyone from accessing your personal information.
• As a precaution, do not save your card information online for future purchases.
• Do not send someone money to receive payment for online purchases. 
• When utilizing a peer-to-peer payment method such as Zelle®, ensure you send funds only to those you know and trust. If you're purchasing something from a stranger online, use your Visa® card through a secure processor so you can dispute the transaction later if necessary.

Phone & Email Scams

• Scammers can falsely display our phone numbers and name when making fraudulent phone calls. We will never call you and ask you for confidential financial information.
• Never provide confidential information to anyone who has contacted you via phone, email, or fax.
• You can always hang up on the caller and call our offices to confirm the call's legitimacy or email.
• If you receive an email, pay close attention to the sender's address and do not click on any links or attachments provided or respond to the email.
• Contact our offices immediately if you have responded or provided information in one of these ways.

Check, Gift Cards & Donation Fraud

• Never deposit a check into your account from an unknown source. Scammers may ask you to deposit counterfeit checks with a promise that you can keep a portion of the funds.
• Be wary of someone asking you to pay with a gift card. Gift cards are for gifts, not payments. Never send a stranger the numbers on the back of a gift card or a picture of a gift card for them to verify a balance.
• During times of need, fraudsters take advantage of consumers' desires to support causes close to their hearts. If you are donating, research to ensure your donation is going to a legitimate organization.

Trust Your Gut

• Scammers are changing daily ways to compromise personal data and information through social engineering, phishing, and other malicious activities. If you think something seems fishy, it likely is a scam. Check the News section of our website for updates on current scams.