At Northern Credit Union your peace of mind is our top priority. Check out these ways to ensure your finances stay safe this holiday season:

• Never click a link from an email or text message that you weren’t expecting, even if the link appears to be for a store you recognize. Instead, use your browser to navigate directly to the retailer’s official website.
• Beware of tech service calls from computer service companies. If you did not place a call to have service done on your electronic equipment, do not give them any information or remote access to your electronics.
• Watch out for malvertising. Malvertising is when cybercriminals try to phish shoppers through ads on social media and other websites. Always think before you click!
• Be sure to only shop on reputable, secured websites. Many bogus sites look similar to the site they are posing as, but the URL might be off by one letter. You can also easily verify a website’s security by ensuring the web address starts with “https.”
• Be cautious of advertisements that promise outrageous deals. Remember that if something seems too good to be true, it probably is!
• If you receive any calls, emails, or text messages asking about an order that you didn’t place, do not engage with the caller/sender. Confirming your contact information could potentially open the door for other scammers to contact you. It’s best to block the sender to prevent any potential fraud.
• Never allow a stranger access to your mobile device, computer or personal accounts.
• Don’t share sensitive information on the phone or online with an unknown person. If contacted by an alleged representative about an issue with your account, hang up and check your account to see if an issue is present.  You can always call them back at a number you know is valid.
• Use your credit or debit card. It offers you more protection against purchases that don’t turn out to be what you expected. If a company is requesting you pay for an item with a money order, wire transfer or pay a third party directly, it’s likely a scam.
• Consider a service like EZShield that monitors you and your family’s personal information and alerts you to potentially fraudulent activity.

As always, be aware and be cautious when enjoying the holiday season. Stay alert and use caution to keep your money — and your information — safe.

Call 315-782-0155 or stop into any relationship center if you think you have been a victim of fraud. We’re here to help and are trained to spot and resolve cases of fraud before they turn into financial loss.