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Online Security: How You Can Protect Yourself

An elderly lady sitting at her kitchen table using her laptop

Learn how to help protect yourself against common security issues and threats.

The Credit Union knows the significance of protecting members' confidential personal and financial information. You should never disclose your private personal or financial information (e.g., Social Security number, account or card information, username, and passwords) to anyone, either in person or over the phone, computer, or mobile device, unless you know and trust the individual and you initiated the call or transaction.

NCPAFCU will never call and ask for your personal or financial information. If you receive a call, text, or email asking for this information, do not respond and notify your local branch or Member Services Support at (888) 732-8562 immediately.

Secure your computer

  • If you are using an outdated operating system, upgrade to a more current version such as Windows 11. Older systems may no longer receive product support or security updates, increasing your risk of viruses, malware, and other threats.
  • Use a firewall and install anti-virus, anti-spyware, and ad protection software on your device, and check for regular updates.
  • Never download software presented in pop-ups or emails from unknown senders.
  • Set your operating system, security, and application software (such as Microsoft Office) to automatically check for updates.
  • We recommend downloading the latest version of your preferred browser (Edge, Firefox, Chrome, or Safari) and use only recommended browsers and browser configurations when signing in to Member Access.

Secure your access to online services

  • Enable multi-factor authentication (MFA) and use a strong password for every account, ideally at least 12 characters with a mix of numbers, letters, and symbols.
  • Do not use the same username and password on multiple sites.
  • Change your password frequently.
  • Always sign off Member Access sessions.
  • Do not sign on to Member Access from a public/shared computer.
  • Do not reply to suspicious emails, texts, or voice messages on your computer, tablet, or phone.
  • Only use trusted third-party sites.
  • Safeguard your username and password. Sharing your online credentials with another individual, application, or company provides that party with the ability and authorization to access your accounts. NCPAFCU will not be liable for loss resulting from sharing your online credentials with a third party except as applicable law requires.
  • Monitor your accounts. You are generally not liable for online transactions you didn’t authorize that occur through the use of our online services. However, you should monitor your accounts and notify us as soon as possible when you detect unauthorized activity on any of your accounts. If you fail to notify us promptly, you may not get back all the money you lost. Please contact Member Services Support at (888) 732-8562 immediately if you notice any suspicious or fraudulent activity.
  • Never include financial information in an email, as it is not a secure method of communication.

Secure your identity

  • Never share personal information by telephone, unless it is with a trusted entity with whom you initiated the call.
  • File documents that contain personal information in a safe place and shred any unneeded documents containing personal information.
  • Pay attention to billing cycles, and contact creditors if bills do not arrive.
  • Review all financial statements regularly for fraudulent activity.
  • Review credit reports annually (free credit reports are available at Annual Credit Report.com).
  • Do not carry your Social Security card or excess credit cards unless absolutely necessary.

Be cautious: learn more about potential scams

  • Remember to use caution when checking your email or searching for popular key words and videos online. 
  • Be cautious when selling items online or on social media. Some scammers will pay for items by sending you fraudulent checks in amounts higher than the selling price and then requesting you to wire the difference back to them.
  • Only use peer-to-peer (P2P) payments to send money to trusted family and friends – P2P payments are not reversible once sent.

What to do if you are a victim of identity theft

  • Contact one of the three major credit bureaus (Equifax (800) 685-1111, Experian (888) 397-3742, or Trans Union (800) 888-4213) immediately to request a fraud alert, which places a notice on your credit report that you may have been the victim of fraud or identity theft. This alert encourages creditors to take extra steps to confirm your identity before completing a request for credit. One bureau will report the information to the other two, and your credit report will be mailed to you for review. The renewable fraud alert will be placed in your credit reports for one year.
  • Contact NCPAFCU and any other financial institutions where you hold accounts, and immediately close all accounts that have been compromised.
  • Contact local law enforcement authorities and file an identity theft report.
  • Check with your local post office to see if any unauthorized change-of-address requests for you have been filed.
  • Visit the Federal Trade Commission’s Identity Theft website for more detailed information on how to recover from identity theft.