News Alerts

First Area Credit Union has received several calls regarding a text message members have been receiving. The text message asks the member to call a 407 number regarding their debit card and/or that their debit card has been deactivated and the member needs to call to have the card reactivated.  Do NOT call the number given, instead please call First Area at 989-781-1430 or 888-356-4930.

Your privacy and security are very important to us! We will never ask for personal information nor contact you in such a manner. Should you feel you have fallen victim to fraud, please contact a credit union team member. Please DO NOT respond to emails or texts claiming to be from First Area asking for personal information.

BE AWARE OF ATM FRAUD

CLICK HERE FOR THE NEWEST ATM SCAM      https://www.facebook.com/freeportpolice/videos/2165986213428202/

Best Practices for Cardholders

The typical ATM skimmer is a device smaller than a deck of cards that fits over the existing card reader. Most of the time, the attackers will also place a hidden camera somewhere in the vicinity with a view of the number pad in order to record personal-identification-numbers. The camera may be in the card reader, mounted at the top of the ATM, or even just to the side inside a plastic case holding brochures. Some criminals may install a fake PIN pad over the actual keyboard to capture the PIN directly, bypassing the need for a camera.

• Check for Tampering
  When you approach an ATM, check for some obvious signs of tampering at the top of the ATM, near the speakers, the side of the screen, the card reader itself, and the keyboard. If something looks different, such as a different color or material, graphics that aren't aligned correctly, or anything else that doesn't look right, don't use that ATM.
   
• Wiggle Everything
  Even if you can't see any visual differences, push and pull at everything
   
• Protect the PIN
  Even if you don't notice a skimmer and swipe your card, covering your hand when you enter your PIN can block a camera that may have been installed. If the keyboard doesn't feel right—too thick, perhaps—then there may be a PIN-snatching overlay, so don't use it.
   
• Location
  Criminals frequently install skimmers on ATMs that aren't located in overly busy locations since they don't want to be observed installing malicious hardware or collecting the harvested data.  Stop and consider the safety of the ATM before you use it.

First Area Credit Union
989-781-1430 or 888-356-4930