Protecting your Accounts

Account Security

Protecting your accounts

Scam techniques are always changing and evolving, which makes it hard to differentiate between what is true and what is false. We want you to be informed so that you can keep your accounts secure.

Protect your money and your identity

Fraudsters often use pressure, confusing tactics, and fake contact information to trick members into giving up sensitive details. Learn how to recognize scams and take proactive steps to keep your accounts secure.

What are common warning signs of fraud or a scam?

Be cautious if someone:

Pressures you to send money urgently
Threatens you with law enforcement or legal action
Asks you to buy gift cards and share the codes
Asks you to cash or deposit a check and send money elsewhere
Requests your account number, routing number, debit/credit card details, or online banking login

If the request feels urgent, secretive, or intimidating, pause before taking action and verify it directly with your financial institution.

Will my financial institution ever ask for my login credentials or full card details? No. Your financial institution will never ask for your online banking username, password, full debit/credit card number, or one-time passcodes by phone, email, or text.

If you receive a request like this, do not respond. Instead, contact your institution using the phone number listed on their official website.

Can I trust calls, texts, or emails that look like they’re from my financial institution? Be cautious. Caller ID can be spoofed, and scam messages can look legitimate.

Never click links in unsolicited emails or texts.
Never provide information during an unexpected call.
Never grant remote access to your computer.

If you’re unsure, hang up and call your financial institution directly using the published phone number on their website.

Where else can I find information on protecting my accounts? The Federal Trade Commission has several tips for preventing fraud and identity theft, including:

How to protect your identity
How to recover from identity theft
Free resources to share with your community
Prevention resources for:
Law enforcement
Attorneys and advocates
Businesses

What should I do if I suspect debit or credit card fraud?

If you suspect fraud on your debit or credit card, please take these steps right away

Contact us immediately to report a lost or stolen card or any unauthorized transactions.
Monitor your accounts for small, unusual transactions. Fraudsters often use these to test a card before attempting larger purchases.
If you believe you may be a victim of identity theft, contact your local police and file a complaint with the Federal Trade Commission (FTC).

What can I do to avoid fraud?

Here are a few important ways to protect yourself from fraud:

Never share your PIN, password, or one-time passcode with anyone, even if they claim to be from the credit union.
Avoid logging in to your accounts while using public Wi-Fi.
Use strong, unique passwords for online banking and update them regularly.
Do not click links in unexpected emails or text messages, even if they appear to come from a trusted source.
Be cautious of callers claiming to be credit union employees. If you were not expecting the call, do not share personal or account information.
Never send a wire transfer to someone you do not know, even if they send you a check to "cover" the amount. If the check is returned unpaid, you are still responsible for the wire because wire transfers are final.
Check ATMs carefully before using them. Loose card readers, sticky residue, or anything unusual may be signs of a skimming device.

Take control of your LutheranFCU Debit/Credit Card with CardNav!

This free app allows you to turn on/off your card instantly in case you lose it or misplace it!

Manage how, when, and where your cards are used—on your own terms. CardNav enables you to set controls regarding the transaction types, geographic rules, and the merchant types where your card can be used.
Turn your cards into active budget participants.
Receive alerts when suspicious activity is suspected.
Stop fraudulent activity before it even happens with the alert feature of CardNav. Based on your preferences, CardNav can send you real-time alerts when your card is used outside of your chosen preferences, giving you the power to deny the transaction or turn your card off.

This free app allows you to turn on/off your card instantly in case you lose it or misplace it!

Manage how, when, and where your cards are used—on your own terms. CardNav enables you to set controls regarding the transaction types, geographic rules, and the merchant types where your card can be used.
Turn your cards into active budget participants.
Receive alerts when suspicious activity is suspected.
Stop fraudulent activity before it even happens with the alert feature of CardNav. Based on your preferences, CardNav can send you real-time alerts when your card is used outside of your chosen preferences, giving you the power to deny the transaction or turn your card off.