Fraud & Identity Protection

Your Account and its security are of the utmost importance to us.

SCAM ALERT: Lapse of Home Warranty Coverage Letters

Letters documenting Island Federal as the home lending institution are being mailed urging the recipient to call a number about a lapse in their home warranty.

How did the senders get my information?

At Island Federal, we are committed to protecting our Members' personal information. Likewise, we do not sell or otherwise distribute it to non-affiliate third parties.
However, some information about mortgages, regardless of what lender the consumer works with, is public record. That is how scammers like this can obtain your contact information. Note that the Customer ID does not match your Member ID which is a good indicator it is a scam. 

What should I do if I get this letter?

The best thing to do is disregard the letter. Dispose of it however you would any other junk mail you receive. In addition, you are always encouraged to contact us directly should you have questions or concerns.

Sample letter:

Counterfeit Official Checks

Official Checks claiming to be drawn on Island Federal Credit Union are being distributed via multiple mailing sources, (USPS, FedEx, DHL UPS). If you believe that you may be the recipient of one of these checks please destroy immediately.

Up-to-Date Security/Scam Issues

• Paying for a Car with an Amazon Gift Card
• NCUA Text Phishing Scam
  
  

Helpful Information About Fraud

• NCUA's Fraud Prevention Center
• 10 Things You Can Do To Avoid Fraud
• Click here to view the FBI's Fraud Alert poster which includes ways you can tell if you're a victim of fraud.

ATM Safety Tips

	Check ATM before Use If the part in which you insert your debit card looks loose or damaged, do not insert your card. This could be an indication that a skimming devise has been attached to the ATM machine.
	Protecting your PIN Number When entering your pin number at the ATM, make sure to use your hand as a shield to prevent others from seeing your pin.
	Check for Cameras If you notice that there are cameras near or pointing to the ATM machine, avoid use.
	Plan Ahead If you decide to use a drive-up ATM, make sure you plan ahead and know what kind of transactions you're going to make. Sign checks prior to your trip so you can easily deposit them.
	Drive-Up ATM When using a drive-up ATM, keep your car running and make sure your doors are locked. Leave enough room on all sides of your vehicle so you are able to escape if an emergency arises.
	Be Aware Take note of your surroundings. If you feel uncomfortable or happen to see someone watching you, make your transaction and leave. If you feel like you're being followed either call the police or head to a police station.
	Check your Statements If you see any transactions on your bank statement that you did not make, call us immediately at 631-851-1100.

Don't Be the Next Victim of Fraud

Help Us Protect You 

Keeping our Members' accounts safe and secure is a top priority at Island. 

You Should be Concerned if: 

• You receive a check or money order in response to something you sold online.
• You have any reason to suspect that a check or money order you receive is not valid.
• The check is drawn on an account that is different from the person buying your item.
• The amount of the check or money order is more than the item’s selling price.
• The check or money order is connected to someone you only communicated with by email.
• You are informed that you were the winner of a LOTTERY, that you did not enter.
• You receive commission for facilitating money transfers through your account.
• You are asked to open an account as a result of a job offer you received online.

Don’t Be a Victim

• If the check or money order is later returned, you will be held liable for the bad check.
• We are not able to tell you when a check or money order you deposit will clear.
• Even when we lift a “hold” on funds from a deposited check or money order, that does not mean the item has cleared.
• If funds are to be held by a third party, or escrowed, be sure it is a party you can trust.
• Remember: always exercise extreme caution when conducting
  business with strangers.

Remember...

• If an offer sounds too good to be true, it probably is.
• Never provide your online banking credentials to anyone.
• Trust your gut feelings - when you have a bad feeling about an offer or a company.
• If someone asks you to deposit a check or money order and then wire them funds,
  this is definitely a scam.

To further learn how to avoid scams, protect yourself from Internet hackers and more, visit www.onguardonline.gov. 

Identity Protection

Please review the following site for tips on how to protect your identity.

Security Tips

krebsonsecurity.com.

• Find out more of the most up-to-date information about security issues that happen everyday ranging from skimming devices to web fraud by visiting krebsonsecurity.com.