Fraud Prevention
Your security matters. Here’s how to stay safe with simple steps and tools you can trust.
Strengthen your account security
With scams and cyberattacks on the rise, staying aware is one of the best ways to protect your money. Here are four simple steps you can take today. We’re committed to helping you identify and ignore scams, fraud, and identity theft through our services and ongoing education.
Update your password regularly
When was the last time you changed it? Use a strong, unique password and refresh it often to stay ahead of threats.
Enable passcode sign-on
Turn on two-factor authentication for an extra layer of protection. It only takes a moment and helps keep your account secure.
Set up account activity alerts
Get notified fast. Enable card or account alerts so you can spot unusual activity right away.
Keep your contact information current
Make sure your phone number and email are up to date. It helps us reach you quickly if we detect anything suspicious.
Call Us If You Suspect Fraud – 307.635.7878
We’ll walk you through what to do next.
Important Reminders
Meridian Trust will NEVER call you to ask for personal information or a one-time passcode. If we need to verify anything, it will only be when you call us.
- Never share sensitive information by phone or text. Do not provide verification codes, account numbers, debit or credit card numbers, online banking details, or your Social Security Number.
- Never enter your password in a text message. No legitimate message will ever ask for it. And never share your one-time passcode with anyone.
- Watch for fake websites or app downloads. Scammers may try to mimic Meridian Trust pages or push you to install apps. Only log in through our official website or the Meridian Trust mobile app.
- When in doubt, hang up and call us. Caller IDs can be spoofed. If something feels off, ask for the caller’s name, hang up, and call us directly. 307.635.7878
Website and Online Banking Security
Meridian Trust is dedicated to protecting your personal and financial information. We use advanced security technology, intrusion monitoring, and firewalls, along with physical and procedural safeguards that exceed federal requirements.
Encryption
Our website is protected with certificate-based encryption to ensure it’s authentic and secure. Online Banking uses 128-bit SSL encryption along with additional security measures to keep your information safe.
User Names and Passwords
Online Banking requires strong user names and passwords to protect your account. We recommend choosing credentials that are unique and difficult to guess.
Multifactor Authentication
If we don’t recognize the device you’re using, Online Banking will ask identity questions to add another layer of protection.
Secure Email
Any email you send through our Secure Email Portal is fully encrypted to protect your personal information.
Common Scams
Learn about the common scams and ways to prevent yourself from becoming a victim to a scammer.
Social Media Scams
Reports make clear that social media is a tool for scammers in investment scams. More than half the people who reported losses to investment scams in 2021 said the scam started on social media. Scammers use these platforms to promote bogus investment opportunities, and even to connect with people directly as supposed friends to encourage them to invest. People send money, often cryptocurrency, on promises of huge returns, but end up empty-handed.
Romance scams are just as prevalent on social media, actually reporting as the second most profitable fraud. These often start with a seemingly innocent friend request from a strangers, followed by sweet talk, then a request for money.
While investment and romance scams top the list on dollars lost in social media scams, the largest number of reports came from people saying they were scammed trying to buy something they saw marketed on social media.
There are many other frauds on social media too, and new ones popping up all the time. Here are some ways to help you and your family stay safe on social media:
- Limit who can see your posts and information on social media. All platforms collect information about you from your activities on social media, but visit your privacy settings to set some restrictions.
- Check if you can opt out of targeted advertising. Some platforms let you do that.
- If you get a message from a friend about an opportunity or an urgent need for money, call them. Their account may have been hacked – especially if they ask you to pay by cryptocurrency, gift card, or wire transfer. That’s how scammers ask you to pay.
- If someone appears on your social media and rushes you to start a friendship or romance, slow down. Read about romance scams. And never send money to someone you haven’t met in person.
- Before you buy, check out the company. Search online for its name plus “scam” or “complaint.”
Romance Scams
Romance Scams:
Online dating scams are of the most common scams out there. Scammers know millions of people using online dating sites. They are there, too, hiding behind fake profiles.
Here are some signs of a scam:
- Professes love quickly. Claims to be overseas for business or military service.
- Asks for money, and lures you off the dating site.
- Claims to need money-for emergencies, hospital bills, or travel.
- Plans to visit, but can’t because of an emergency.
How to protect yourself:
- Slow down – and talk to someone you trust. Don’t let a scammer rush you.
- Never transfer money from your bank account, buy gift cards, or wire money to an online love interest. You won’t get it back.
- Contact Meridian Trust FCU right away if you think you’ve sent money to a scammer.
- Report your experience to:
- The online dating site
- Federal Trade Commission: ReportFraud.ftc.gov
Medicare Scams
Medicare Scams:
Scammers may sound professional, say they’re from Medicare, and have your personal details. But in reality, they’re trying to steal your money, Medicare information, or your identity. Here’s hour to spot potential scams and what to do:
- Don’t trust the name displayed on your phone. Scammers can fake a caller ID.
- Hang up if anyone calls and asks for your Medicare, Social Security, or bank or credit card information. Legitimate Medicare employees have your Medicare number on file.
- Don’t be rushed into making a decision. You have until December 7 to enroll, and Medicare doesn’t offer extra benefits for signing up early.
- Ignore threats to take away your benefits. If you qualify, your benefits can’t be taken away for not signing up for a plan.
- Don’t talk to anyone that suggests their plan is preferred by Medicare. The truth is that Medicare doesn’t endorse a specific plan.
- Visit the Eldercare Locator or call toll-free 1-800-677-1116 to find local resources that can give you more information about the different Medicare plans available.
To report someone pretending to be affiliated with Medicare and other Medicare scams, call 1-800-MEDICARE (800-633-4227) and tell the FTC at ReportFraud.ftc.gov.
Elder Scams
Fraud continues to rise and the older population is often targeted by scammers. Be aware of these types of scams to keep you or an older relative safe:
- Phishing emails and messages
- Fake charity appeals
- Utility scams
- Romance scams
- Investment scams
- Prepayment scams
Signs of fraud sometimes include pressure for immediate action (quick payment or decision-making which can prevent someone from seeking advice) or a request for untraceable payment methods including: gift cards, cryptocurrency, digital or mobile payment services, etc.
IRS Scams
When tax season is in full swing, many people fall victim to scams about owing the IRS money. Learn more about several tips to help you avoid being scammed.
McAfee Anti-Virus Software Scam
Cyber Criminals are trying to capitalize on the great momentum of Windows 10, with nefarious email, web, and phone scams directing customers to install ransomware and other malware.
Microsoft does not initiate calls to customers to assist with Windows 10 installation or technical support, no do they send emails with installation files attached. If you have been contacted by telephone of have received such emails with attached installation files, consider these fraudulent and do not share your personal information or open the attachment.
Examples of Scams by Cybercriminals
- A fraudulent email providing you a link or attachment that claims to start the Windows 10 installation process.
- An unsolicited internet pop-up attempting to guide you through the installation process.
- A phony call from someone posing as a Microsoft employee, who offers to assist with an upgrade to Windows 10 or to “help” with any other Microsoft product.
Meridian Trust Email Messaging
Meridian Trust FCU will never ask you for any personal information, including any account information or Social Security number via email. Email is a responsible way to deliver product and service offers, regulatory information and rate updates, but beware of all emails that go beyond this type of communications.
Free Shredding
You need to shred financial documents that you no longer need, otherwise identity thieves can steal them from your trash. Protect your privacy with Meridian Trust’s Free Shredding Service.
As a Meridian Trust member, you can bring up to 25 pounds of confidential, personal documents to either of our Cheyenne locations for free document shredding.
So what should you shred? Here’s a list of where to start:
- Credit union statements
- Credit card statements
- Monthly bills
- Cancelled checks
- Blank checks
- Investment information
- Financial statements
- Medical records
- Income tax records
- Credit reports
- Credit card offers
Really, you should shred anything you wouldn’t feel comfortable having someone pick up and read. Criminals need very little information to steal your identity, and once your financial information hits the trash, your identity is floating around waiting to be stolen. Shredding is a free, minimal inconvenience compared the costly, time-consuming and worrisome process of having your identity stolen.
But how long should you keep documents? Here are some general guidelines for you:
- Keep any tax-related records for seven years
- Keep records of IRA contributions permanently
- Keep quarterly retirement/savings plan statements until you receive an annual statement. If the numbers match, shred the quarterlies and keep the annual summaries permanently.
- Shred unimportant credit union records after one year; keep the rest permanently
- Keep brokerage statements until you sell the securities
- Most of the time you can shred bills once you get a cancelled check. Keep bills for big items permanently.
- Keep credit card receipts to reconcile with your statements, then keep the statements for seven years
- Paycheck stubs should be kept until you receive your end-of-year tax statements
- Keep house records permanently
Additional Resources
https://ftc.gov to file a complaint
BBB.com to review businesses and file complaints
IRS 1-877-438-4338
Credit Bureaus:
Experian 888-397-3742
Equifax 800-685-1111
TransUnion 800-916-8800
Opt Out Numbers 888-567-8688 (credit offers)
Go to DoNotCall.gov or call 1-888-382-1222 (TTY: 1-866-290-4236) from the phone you want to register.
Learn more about other scams to protect yourself and fight fraud by visiting this website:
https://www.aarp.org/money/scams-fraud/?intcmp=GLBNAV-SL-MON-CONP
Protect your identity with Fraud Defender
Identity theft happens when someone uses your personal information for their own gain. It’s more common than most people think. With Fraud Defender, you get tools and support that help lower your risk and protect what matters.
Basic Protection
A cost-effective way to guard against identity theft.
Includes:
- Fully managed identity recovery
- Lost document replacement
- Internet black market monitoring
- Credit monitoring
- Up to $1 million in reimbursement for out-of-pocket recovery costs
- A professional recovery advocate who works on your behalf
Pricing:
$2.95 per month for an individual
$5.80 per month for a family
Preferred Protection
More coverage and more tools, with everything in Basic Protection plus:
Includes:
- Secure “credential vault” for up to 50 items, like cards, loans, accounts, or passports
- Annual credit report and score
- Credit monitoring with alerts any time your credit report changes
Pricing:
$6.95 per month for an individual
$13.70 per month for a family
Premium Protection
Our most complete identity protection package.
Includes:
- All Preferred Protection features
- 3-bureau credit monitoring
- ID monitoring of public records, watching for changes to your name, address, Social Security Number, phone numbers, and other key identifiers
Pricing:
$12.95 per month for an individual
$24.90 per month for a family
You’re not alone in this.
We help members stop scams every day. Let us help you stay safe.