by Chelsea Springli 
‘Tis the season… for fraud. While you’re busy making holiday preparations here, there, and everywhere, fraudsters are working to take your money. Even if you are checking your account, smaller transactions can slip through the cracks.
Here are a few debit card fraud tips to help you make it through the holiday season safely.
Monitor Your Accounts
While you should always monitor your account balances on a regular basis, it’s especially important to check them during the holidays. Make sure all transactions listed were made by you or any authorized users on your account. Debit cards offer real-time email or text alerts. You can easily monitor your checking account activities and help stop the possible fraudulent use of your debit card with customizable alerts for free. Learn how to set up alerts for your Alltru accounts.
If you receive an alert for a transaction you didn’t make, freeze your card in digital banking or contact the credit union to lock your card and replace it with a new one. You may be able to dispute some transactions to be reimbursed for those funds. Learn how to dispute a transaction in your Alltru account.
Be Wary of Advertisements
You may be tempted to click on social media ads on Instagram or Facebook, but you should do so sparingly. Ads boasting limited time offers or large discounts may not always be from a reliable website. Before clicking on any ad, whether it’s on your smartphone or laptop, you should verify the source. Double check the URL to make sure the spelling is correct, that the URL begins with https:// and that there’s a small lock icon that confirms it’s a secure site.
If anything looks suspicious, search for the website online and monitor your results. If the website looks trustworthy, feel free to check it out. Limited time offers will often appear on the website anyway.
Tip: Remember – if it’s too good to be true, it’s probably a scam.
Secure Your Information
If you do some online shopping from your phone while you’re out in public, it’s better to do it using your cellular data instead of from free public Wi-Fi. When you do so, make sure you don’t leave any personal information easily visible, since someone can easily look over your shoulder and steal your information. You should try to complete purchases in secure areas, such as your car, rather than an open coffee shop, for example. Obscure your credit or debit card number with your hand or use a digital wallet, such as Apple Pay, to securely make purchases from your phone. Learn how to set up your digital wallet today.
Watch Out for Spam Phone Calls
There’s also an uptick in spam calls during the holidays, with fraudsters trying to get unwarranted personal information from you. If you get a call from someone who says they’re from your credit union, and it feels suspicious, hang up and call us directly. Your credit union will never ask you for your credit card number or password. Criminals know people are worried about fraud during the holidays and may take this opportunity to try to get you to divulge information.
Red flags to watch for:
- Urgent requests for verification.
- Threats of locked accounts unless you respond immediately.
- Requests for passwords or full card numbers.
What to do:
- Hang up immediately.
- Call Alltru directly at (636) 916-8300
- Report the suspicious call.
Protect Yourself at Checkout
Thieves can attach skimming devices to card readers to capture your card information. Be especially careful when you’re at a gas pump or outdoor ATM. Also be on guard against shoulder surfing: which is where thieves may be watching you enter your PIN at the ATM or sales counter. Use one hand to shield the other that is entering your PIN so it can’t be seen by others.
Being mindful of security is a good idea any time of the year. By maintaining basic cybersecurity, being wary of social scams, choosing and using the most secure payment cards, and monitoring your credit and identity, you can go a long way toward keeping ID theft at bay during the holidays and throughout the year.
