In today’s economy, every cent counts. To make sure that a scam doesn’t come between you and your hard earned money, Maine credit unions are continuously working to educate members on how they can keep their money and identity safe. Here are some of the ways that you can protect yourself against this ever-present threat:

On the phone:

Never give your Social Security number, account number, or credit card number to anyone who calls you

Always follow up on calls about account information

If you receive a call from someone claiming to be from your credit union asking for account information, hang up, and call back using the number on your account statement.

When creating a pin number:

Don’t use your mother’s maiden name

Don’t use the last four digits of your Social Security Number

Don’t use your birth date

Don’t use your telephone number or address

Choose a unique combination of letters and numbers

At the ATM:

Never share your ATM PIN

Memorize your PIN – never write it down

Be aware of your surroundings when approaching an ATM

If you experience any unusual occurrences when using an ATM, or notice discrepancies with your account, report it to your credit union immediately

Report a lost or stolen ATM immediately

Think twice before depositing checks that:

Came to you via an internet sale

Comes to you on the condition that you have to send money back to someone from the check’s proceeds

Are issued from an unknown party

To find our more on how you can protect yourself from identity theft, contact a credit union near you, or visit www.mainecul.org.

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