While we are celebrating this holiday season with friends and family, fraudsters are hard at work attempting to steal our data, identity, and wallets. It is hard to believe, but fraudsters do not take time off during the holidays. Whether shopping online or in the store, they are out preying on you. When you are fast asleep at night, fraudsters are surfing the dark web seeking to purchase your stolen information. In other words, the holidays are a prime time for fraudsters and scammers to take advantage of you and your generous spirit. Some quick reminders for this season and every day in between:

• Before donating, research the charity
  • Planning your giving can ensure your donations get to where they will have the most impact
• Do not make a payment with a gift card
  • No bona fide business or government agency will insist you pay them with a gift card
• Do not click on emails or links you are not expecting
  • Look up the company’s phone number online to call and verify any requests
• Do not click links for shipping notification to update a mailing address
  • This could be a scam to get access to personal information
• Be cautious of deals too good to be true
  • Read the fine print to watch for auto enrollment or pre-checked boxes for future purchases
• Stay aware of your surroundings
  • Shoulder surfers are looking to steal your card number when you are not looking
• Use a credit card in combination with Irish Card Shield when shopping online for added security

Remember, Notre Dame FCU will never contact you and ask for your social security number, date of birth, mother’s maiden name, online banking login credentials (including username and password), or any other personally identifiable information. To learn more tips and tricks to avoid falling victim to fraudsters and scammers, visit our fraud center at www.NotreDameFCU.com/fraud/.

As always, please contact us immediately if you have any concerns about your account or believe personal information has been stolen.

Written by Director of Compliance Eric Wathen.