Member News

Best practices for your New EMV Chip Card:

• Activate your new chip card by calling the provided activation number with your EMV Chip Card.
• Once you have activated your new card you will need to discard your old magnetic stripe card, as it will no longer work, and start using your new chip card.
• Your card number and PIN will not be changing, but you will need to update recurring payment information (utility bills, gym memberships, PayPal, Amazon, cell phone bill, etc.) with the new expiration date and CVV Code (3-digit code on back of card).

Follow these steps to use your card at a chip-enabled terminal:

• Insert your card, face up and chip end first into the chip-enabled terminal.
• Leave the card in the terminal during the entire transaction.
• Follow the instructions on the screen and either sign your name or enter your PIN as needed. Be sure to remove your card and take your receipt when the transaction is complete.

Call us at 800-354-5511 with any questions about your new card, or stop in and talk with a Member Service Representative today.

EMV Chip Card FAQs
What is an EMV Chip Card?
An EMV Chip Card looks like a regular debit or credit card with a microchip. This chip is used to secure transactions, making your card almost impossible to duplicate at chip reading transaction terminals. Information programmed into the chip is personalized for your account and each transaction generates a unique code, adding an extra safeguard against unauthorized use and counterfeiting.

Will my debit or credit card number change?
No, your current card number will remain the same. Your card will have a new expiration date and new CVV Code, so you will need to update recurring payment information that is affiliated with your debit or credit card.

Will my Personal Identification Number (PIN) change?
No, your PIN will remain the same. You may change your PIN at any time by calling 866-642-0450.

Will my new expiration date impact my automatic payments?
You will need to update your expiration date and CVV Code with any automatic payments affiliated with your debit or credit card.

Can I use my card at a merchant’s terminal or ATM that is not yet chip-enabled?
Yes! Your chip card will also have the usual magnetic stripe on the back so you can continue using your card at ATM’s and Point of Sale Terminals while merchants in the U.S. are transitioning to new terminals.

What is the replacement cost for a lost, stolen or damaged EMV Chip Card?
The replacement cost is $5.50 per card.

ATM fraud is becoming more prevalent with the invention of smaller

computing devices. One of the methods that criminals use to access your

account is ATM skimming. Skimming occurs when a device is place into the

ATM machine and interferes with typical ATM transactions. This device

may be a substitute card reader inserted into the ATM or a touch screen

device may take the place of the original screen. The purpose of these

devices all have one goal: to collect your personal banking information.

Your credit union offers these tips to help you avoid becoming a victim of ATM skimming:

* Inspect the ATM. Be on the lookout for anything that looks strange

or out of the ordinary before using it, such as anything loose,

crooked, or damaged, or if you notice equipment or wires out of place.

* When entering your PIN, block the keypad with your other hand to prevent possible hidden cameras from recording your number.

* Don't use an ATM that directs you to another machine with a card reader attached.

* If your card isn't returned after the transaction is completed or

after hitting "cancel," immediately contact your credit union.

* And, remember to check your account regularly to look for any unauthorized transactions.

If you do suspect an ATM has been tampered with, contact the

financial institution that operates the ATM machine. Your security is

important to us.

Mobile banking is gaining popularity with members because of its convenience and efficiency. Despite this, members are still concerned over hackers targeting mobile phones and apps on their phones using malware or other schemes. Nevertheless, you can protect yourself by following a few simple steps:

1. Use a Strong Password for mobile banking
2. Never use public Wi-Fi
3. Only use Official Apps from the app store
4. Keep your apps updated
5. Be sure to logout of mobile banking when you are finished
6. Don’t have your browsers save passwords

Rails West Federal Credit Union cares about the security of your personal information. Below are some helpful tips for keeping your personal information safe:
1. Use complex passwords: Using at least 8 characters or more, including a mix of upper and lowercase letters, numbers and symbols. An example of a great password would be ak380KA36.
2. Use different passwords for each of your accounts.
3. Change your passwords on a regular basis for all online accounts. Do not use your name and birthdate as part of your password.
4. Keep your passwords private.
5. Do not write down your passwords and keep them in your wallet or purse. If someone was to steal your wallet or you lose it, they will have access to everything. Keep them in a safe place where no one would expect them to be.

Being able to file your taxes online may have simplified this April ritual, but it's also made it easier for cybercriminals to claim your tax refund. In the 2019 season, the IRS reported seeing a significant increase in cyberattacks on tax filers. There's no reason to believe the 2020 tax season will see any less crime. The Department of Homeland Security encourages consumers to protect themselves from online tax fraud by taking these measures:

* Avoid giving out personal information, unless it is to a trusted entity like Rails West Federal Credit Union.
* Watch for fake messages or websites purportedly from the IRS or tax preparation services; DHS warns that sites can look quite legitimate, so examine them carefully.
* Don't believe promises of "free money" from inflated refunds.
* Back up data and store your electronic tax files securely.
* Never share personal information over an insecure network. Look for "https:" in the URL and a lock sign.

Also, know that the IRS only uses written communications to connect with taxpayers to request personal information. Any electronic communication - email, text, or social media - is fake.

Member News2021 is here and with it comes the start of income tax filing season. Although the filing deadline is not until April, being pro-active can make for a smoother, less stressful process.

You can begin preparing now by following some simple tax-time tips:
1. Round up your records. There are various documents you should begin gathering which will help to support income or deductions you plan to claim on your tax return. These include receipts, canceled checks, a copy of your Social Security card, tuition bills, and student loan statements.
2. Keep an eye out for tax-related mail. Important tax documents are sure to be making their way to your mailbox, including W2s and 1099s. These are essential to filing your return.
3. Consider your filing options. You have a variety of options for filing your return. You can go it alone or enlist the services of a tax preparer. Plus, for those who are eligible, there are free volunteer sites that exist to offer face-to-face tax help.

Identity theft continues to be one of the fastest growing

crimes in the United States. ID theft is a crime where a thief steals

your personal information, such as your full name or Social Security

number, to commit fraud. The identity thief can use your information to

fraudulently apply for credit, file taxes, or get medical services. Here

are some ways to help prevent this from happening to you.

* Place outgoing "snail mail" in a secure mailbox. If you don't have

a locked mailbox, pick up incoming mail as soon as possible.

* Pay close attention to billing cycles. If a bill doesn't arrive on time, it's possible an identity thief has stolen it.

* Protect your Social Security number by leaving your card at home

in a secure location. Do not carry it with you on a daily basis. Be very

careful about giving the number out.

* Place passwords on bank, credit card, and phone accounts. Choose a

password that mixes random numbers with letters. Do not use your

birthday, your dog's name, or anything else a thief could guess.

* Keep your information safe online. If you shop online frequently,

consider having a separate account for your online purchases. Make sure

you have virus protection - update it regularly.

* Do not give out any personal information over the Internet, on the

phone, or through the mail unless you were the one to initiate contact

or you are sure about the identity of the person or the company.

* Shred documents that you no longer need, including credit card

applications, insurance forms, health forms, and billing statements.

* Store private documents in a secured location.

You love your smart phone, so be sure to stay smart about it. Here are some do's and don'ts:
1. Don't leave your phone unattended. Thieves can quickly snatch phones from tables at the library, restaurants, and elsewhere.
2. Do write down your phone's model number, serial number and device identification number. If your phone is stolen, you'll need to report these numbers to police and to your carrier.
3. Do use your phone carefully in public and never while you are walking. Thieves have perfected a technique in which approaching from behind, they slap victims on the back of the head, dislodging the phone and catching it before it even hits the ground.
4. Do use password protection.
5. Do activate the location-tracking app.
6. Don't call back a missed "unknown" number; it may cost you fraudulent fees.

For more information, including what to do if your phone is stolen, visit the Federal Communications Commission's Website: http://www.fcc.gov/guides/stolen-and-lost-wireless-devices.

ATM fraud is becoming more prevalent with the invention of smaller computing devices. One of the methods that criminals use to access your account is ATM skimming. Skimming occurs when a device is place into the ATM machine and interferes with typical ATM transactions. This device may be a substitute card reader inserted into the ATM or a touch screen device may take the place of the original screen. The purpose of these devices all have one goal: to collect your personal banking information.

Your credit union offers these tips to help you avoid becoming a victim of ATM skimming:
* Inspect the ATM. Be on the lookout for anything that looks strange or out of the ordinary before using it, such as anything loose, crooked, or damaged, or if you notice equipment or wires out of place.
* When entering your PIN, block the keypad with your other hand to prevent possible hidden cameras from recording your number.
* Don't use an ATM that directs you to another machine with a card reader attached.
* If your card isn't returned after the transaction is completed or after hitting "cancel," immediately contact your credit union.
* And, remember to check your account regularly to look for any unauthorized transactions.

If you do suspect an ATM has been tampered with, contact the financial institution that operates the ATM machine. Your security is important to us.

You know you should keep your financial house in order. But somehow that

shoebox still overflows with account statements, bills, tax

information, and random receipts. Now that spring is in the air, it's a

great time to get a fresh start and get those financial documents under

control. The key is knowing what to keep and what to toss. As a rule of

thumb, save things related to your taxes, including returns and

documentation for income, deductions, and credits for seven years. The

IRS has three years to audit for good-faith errors, but six years if it

thinks you've underreported your gross income by 25 percent or more.

(There's no statute of limitation for failure to file or tax fraud.)

Consumer experts recommend you save your actual tax returns

indefinitely. Keep Individual Retirement Account contribution records

indefinitely as well. Keep monthly or quarterly statements for your

retirement plans until you receive your annual statement. If everything

matches up, you can shred the quarterly statements. Same with statements

from the credit union, other financial institutions, and brokerage

firms except save records of checks and transactions related to your

taxes, including securities purchases, home improvements, mortgage or

business expenses.

Go through your bills and shred those not related to taxes or to big

purchases where you may need to prove their value for an insurance

claim. Keep legal documents such as those related to legal filings,

wills, inheritance, and so on indefinitely.

If you want to go paperless, converting all documents to electronic

files, be sure to keep up with technology. Anyone who has stored tax

records on a floppy disk may be sorry now.