Take action if you suspect you are a victim of fraud!

Call us immediately at (636) 720-2400 if you suspect you are a victim of fraud. We will work quickly to limit damage and protect your accounts. 

 
Report all  Fraud to the FTC

 

Fraud at ATMs & Checkout:

Card "Skimming" & "Shimming" Scams

Skimming and shimming are the unauthorized capture of your card and PIN information. Skimming devices capture the information in the magnetic strip when a card is swiped at checkout or inserted into an ATM. Shimmers are thin pieces of metal inserted into an ATM, or a card reader at checkout, to capture the information in your microchip.

Both are difficult to spot, but shimmers are small and almost impossible to detect when looking at a machine from the outside. 

HOW TO PREVENT FALLING VICTIM TO SKIMMING & SHIMMING SCAMS:

Basically, any time you can avoid inserting your card to pay at checkout, the gas pump, or to make a transaction at an ATM, do so!

Avoid possible contact with shimming and skimming devices by adding your West Community Cards to your Digital Wallet, or use Tap & Go® contactless payment with your physical cards.  

 

imposter
scams:

Verification Code Theft

Your account password and one-time verification codes work together to allow you to gain access to your digital banking accounts. That's why scammers try hard to trick you into sharing a verification code.

Scammers pretend to be someone you can trust, and say they've discovered a problem with one of your accounts - or that someone's using your identity. They may even know some things about you, sound very sympathetic and convincing, and then ask for a verification code to "help" you with your account. 

HOW TO PREVENT FALLING VICTIM TO IMPOSTER SCAMS:

Quite simply, NEVER share a dual authentication verification code. The codes you receive by text or email can allow unrestricted access to your accounts. Anyone who asks you for a verification code is a scammer. It will NEVER be a credit union employee.

If you're asked to share a verification code, don't engage. Hang up. Block their number, and stop texting or speaking with them immediately.

 

Money Mule scams:

Unwittingly Moving Stolen Money

A money mule is someone who transfers money or items on behalf of a criminal scammer. The criminal baits the target by offering an employment opportunity or by initiating a fake online romantic relationship. 

Next, the target is instructed to deposit illegally acquired funds into their account and send the money elsewhere, while “earning a commission.” Promising a portion of the funds as compensation helps persuade the unsuspecting victim into taking part in the fraud. 

Some of the most common money mule tactics are:

⚠️ Remote employment opportunities
⚠️ Online romantic relationships
⚠️ Overpayment scams

HOW TO PREVENT FALLING VICTIM TO MONEY MULE SCAMS:

Anytime you’re asked to be the middleman for a transaction, there’s a chance you’re a money mule who’s dangerously handling stolen money.

Never accept money from someone you don’t know, trust, or haven't met before — and never forward that money elsewhere on behalf of that person. Doing so is illegal, even if you're not aware of the scam, and could result in federal charges against you. 

 

FRaud By Text:

Convincing Looking "Smishing" Scams

There has been an increase in realistic looking text message scams. Fraudsters are sending text message alerts asking for verification of a Debit Card purchase by clicking "YES" or "NO". This ultimately results in a phone call from the fraudsters, posing as a credit union employee, telling you your Debit Card PIN (Personal Identification Number) has been compromised, and asking you to verify your PIN. Do not provide this, or any other information.

HOW TO PREVENT FALLING VICTIM TO SMISHING:

West Community will NEVER text or call and ask you to verify your PIN. If this happens to you, hang up immediately. It is NOT a Credit Union employee you are speaking to—it's a fraudster. Never share your PIN with us or ANYONE!

 

Fraud on the Phone:

Tricky "Vishing" Scams

There has been an increase in “Vishing” scams with fraudsters using creative techniques to trick you into providing personal or account information. These scammers often call using spoof phone numbers so the call or text message appear to be coming from West Community Credit Union's phone numbers. Their intent is to obtain your personal identification and account information to steal your identity and/or have direct access to your accounts.

HOW TO PREVENT FALLING VICTIM TO VISHING:

West Community will only ask for personal or account information if you call us. Be highly suspicious if you receive an unexpected call, claiming to be a Credit Union employee, asking for your personal or account information.

 

More tipsto prevent fraud

Be Suspicious!

Do not reply to an email, phone call or text that:

  • Requires you to give your personal or account information, especially those that send you to a different link 
  • Threatens to close or suspend your account if you don't take immediate action
  • Tells you your account has been compromised, then asks you to verify information
  • Informs you of unauthorized charges on your account, then asks you to verify
  • Asks you to confirm, verify or update your account information

Learn about our free fraud prevention tools

 
 

As a general guideline, be highly suspicious anytime you are asked to provide personal information over the phone, text, or email.

 

If you have given out your personal information on an unsolicited phone call or text message, please call us at (636) 720-2400.

The security of your personal information is a primary goal of the credit union. That is why we will not call, text, or email you and ask for confidential information; like your full social security number, full bank account number, debit or credit card numbers, one-time pass codes, or your PIN. We already have all of the information we need to service your accounts, so we don't need your social security number, one-time verification code, or your PIN.

You can reduce the risk of falling victim to fraudulent phone calls, emails and text messages by following these steps:

  • Be aware - legitimate businesses do not make unsolicited calls for personal, sensitive information. If you receive an unsolicited call asking this, be very suspicious, it is probably a scam.

  • Don't give in to pressure - many times a fraudulent caller will pressure or try and scare you into giving your personal information. If so, it is not us—simply hang up.

  • Be skeptical - caller ID can be faked. Hanging up, and calling us directly is your best defense.

  • Don't respond to unverified text messages asking you to call your financial institution or click any links.

  • When in doubt, hang up. Please notify the credit union if you suspect that someone has impersonated a credit union representative.