ATFCU News You Can Use

Urgent Security Alert (Updated June 18th)  – This scam continues. Over the long holiday weekend, please be alert and extremely cautious of ongoing text and phone scams from imposters claiming to work for the ATFCU Fraud Department.

How the Scam Works:

1. They create panic: The texter or caller will claim they are investigating multiple fraudulent charges on your account.
2. They seem legitimate: To “prove” they work for ATFCU, they will read back an accurate Social Security number associated with the account.  (Note: Scammers buy this data on the dark web from past third-party corporate hacks).
3. They offer to “help”: They will reassure you that they are ready to fix the issue if you act quickly.
4.  The “Tell” (The Scam Revealed): They will ask for your online banking Username to continue the investigation.

ATFCU will NEVER ask for your username, your password, or any verification codes. If someone asks for this information, hang up immediately or delete the text string.

How They Access Your Money

Once the imposter gets your username, they use the standard “Forgot Password” feature to trigger a password change on your account. This sends a security code to your device. The scammer will ask you to read that code to them. If you give them the code, they gain full access to your funds and have effectively locked you out of your account.

What to Do If You’ve Been Targeted

• During Business Hours: Contact our Fraud Department immediately at 325-677-2274 or 800-677-6770 during regular hours.
• After Hours or On Weekends:  Take these protective steps immediately:

1. Reset your password: Use the Forgotten Password feature in our app or on your computer to change your password right away. Refer to images below.
2. Check your account: Login with your new password to check for suspicious transactions. Take screenshots if you see anything wrong.
3. Change your username:  Change your username to a completely new one as shown in the images below.  This step is quite important because the scammer has your current username.
4. Freeze your debit card: Use your new login credentials to turn off your debit card. (You can view complete instructions here.) Your card can be turned back on and off at any time if you need it for a purchase or for cash at an ATM.
5. Report it: Contact our Fraud Department on the next business day to alert us.

Protecting Your Indentity

Because valid Social Security numbers are often leaked during corporate data breaches, criminals can easily buy them in bulk online. If a caller or texter already knows your SSN, it means your identity may be compromised elsewhere.

To safeguard you identity, please review the resources of the Federal Trade Commission’s Identity Theft Center or visit our Online Security Center.