FRAUD ALERT! MCU Statement on Home Depot Security Breach
Home Depot has confirmed reports of a security breach of their payment data systems.
Municipal Credit Union has been notified that some of our member credit/debit cards
have been affected by this security breach. We will contact affected members directly
via mailed letter or email message with information regarding the replacement of
their card. In the meantime, existing cards can continue to be used.
As always, MCU is committed to protecting your personal and account information,
and as part of this commitment, we would like to share with you some valuable tips
for safeguarding your personal and account information. These tips will go a long
way toward ensuring that your information remains safe and secure.
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Always keep your cards safe and secure. Do not leave your credit or debit
cards unattended at any time. If you receive an unsolicited “urgent” text or email
requesting personal or card information, do not provide any information and report
the correspondence to your financial institution.
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Frequently change and diversify your passwords. This is the easiest way to
keep hackers from accessing online banking and other important web portals with
information stolen from less secure sites, such as social media platforms.
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Beware of ATM Skimming. ATM “Skimming” occurs when a criminal attaches a
phony card reading device over the real card reader located either at the lobby
entrance door or on the ATM machine. The phony device, which looks identical to
the real device, will capture the financial information from your card. Learn about
how you can identify and avoid compromised devices
here
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Use secure websites. Be sure to check for an encrypted connection, especially
for emails, banking and online payments. A secure website is indicated by "https"
before the URL, rather than "http," A padlock symbol on the top or bottom of the
screen is also a good sign.
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Avoid suspicious or altered ATMs. Watch out for ATMs that appear to have
been altered. If anything on the front of the machine looks crooked, loose or damaged,
it could be a sign that someone attached a skimming device. Carefully inspect credit
and debit card readers at checkout counters/gas stations prior to swiping your card
as well, as these are popular targets for criminals to attach skimming devices.
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Be aware and alert when using an ATM. Avoid using the ATM if suspicious individuals
are standing nearby. Criminals may try to distract you as you use the machine to
steal your cash, or watch as you type your PIN. As you key in your PIN, cover the
keypad with your other hand to block anyone, or a camera, from viewing the numbers
you type.
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Keep software up-to-date. Updating your mobile apps and computer programs
regularly can help eliminate bugs and prevent potential glitches.
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Lock up your laptop. Keep financial information on your laptop only when
necessary. Don’t use an automatic login feature that saves your user name and password,
and always log off when you’re finished. That way, if your laptop is stolen, it
will be harder for a thief to get at your personal information.
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Let us know before you go. Inform your financial institution of where and
when you will be traveling before you leave. This will help us understand the changes
in your card usage and can help to ensure that your account won’t get flagged for
unusual or fraudulent activity.
Most importantly, constant monitoring of your accounts is essential to ensuring
that your personal and account information has not been compromised. The best way
to do this is by monitoring your accounts in real-time, using MCU Online Banking
and the NYMCU Mobile Banking App, available for both iPhone and Android devices.
For information on how to sign up for MCU Online Banking and download the NYMCU
Mobile Banking App, visit our
Online Banking
page.