Sunday, September 07, 2008

Protect your Finances

How You Can Better Protect Your Finances
Our Commitment to Your Security and Privacy
Common Frauds (Phishing, Phone Fraud, Mail Fraud)
How You Can Help
Card Security
PIN Security
ATM Security
Phone and Mail Security
Personal Cheques
Online Security

How You Can Better Protect Your Finances
It doesn't take much effort to protect your finances. Following a few simple steps will help ensure that you protect your privacy, your funds are safe, and others can't transact on your accounts.

Our Commitment to Your Security and Privacy
As your Credit Union, The Police Credit Union takes the protection and security of your information, transaction data and privacy seriously. We therefore undertake a wide range of security measures, so you can be assured that your finances are safeguarded and protected.

How You Can Help
The protection of your finances is a partnership between us (as the provider of the services to you) and you (as the user of these services). It is therefore important that you too take some simple steps to also protect your personal information and financial transactions.

Card Security

Report lost or stolen cards immediately to PCU on 131 728 or if after hours call the Visa hotline on 1800 224 004.
Sign your card on the signature panel as soon as you receive it.
Protect your cards as if they were cash always keep them in a secure place.
Ensure that your get your card back after every purchase.
Always check sales vouchers for the correct purchase amount before you sign them, and keep copies of your vouchers and ATM receipts.
Always check your billing statement and verify the amounts of your purchases. Report any unauthorised transactions to the Credit Union immediately on 131 728.
Destroy all old, cancelled or expired cards.
When destroying your old card, be sure to cut vertically through the magnetic strip, before disposing it.
Don't lend your card to anyone. You are responsible for its use.
Write down the toll free numbers and your card numbers and keep them where you can find them so you know whom to call incase they are lost or stolen.
Photocopy the contents of your wallet. Do both sides of credit cards, drivers licence, passport etc. This way you will know what you had in your wallet and all of the account numbers and phone numbers to call and cancel. Keep the photocopy in a safe place.
In the case of a stolen card, file a police report immediately in the jurisdiction where your credit cards, etc., were stolen. This proves to credit providers you were diligent, and this is a first step toward an investigation (if there ever is one).

PIN Security

Never record your PIN number on your card or on anything that you usually keep with or near your card, memorise it. Also never use your PIN as a password.
Destroy any notification we send you containing PIN numbers or passwords.
When selecting a PIN, do not choose numbers and letters that can be easily identified or associated with you (such as initials, phone numbers, date of birth etc.)
Try not to use the same PIN number and password for every service.
Never disclose your PIN to anyone. No one from a financial institution, the police, or a merchant should ask for your PIN.

ATM Security

Be mindful of your surroundings if the machine is poorly lit or in a secluded area, use another ATM.
Have your card ready to avoid having to go through your purse or wallet.
Make sure that no one nearby can view your PIN or transaction amount.
Be discreet when withdrawing cash at an ATM.
After completing an ATM transaction, remember to take your card and transaction record do not leave your receipt behind. Check it against your monthly statements.
If your card becomes stuck inside an ATM machine, be suspicious of anyone offering their help, even if they appear to be a bank security officer. Do not accept help from strangers.

Phone and Mail Security

If you receive a call from anyone purporting to be Credit Union staff requesting your PIN or password, be suspicious as the Credit Union will never call you to ask for these.
Be wary of high-pressure sales tactics from telemarketers, especially if the sale must be completed immediately.
Ask questions. The fewer questions a telemarketer can answer the less likely that he or she is calling from a legitimate business.
Do not give your account details over the phone unless you initiated the call.
Tear or shred personal documents before you throw them away.
Notify the Credit Union immediately if you change your address.
Make sure your mailbox is secure, and promptly remove delivered mail.
Call the Post Office immediately if you are not receiving your mail.
If you are told of a forwarding address placed on your mail without your knowledge, go to the Post Office to check the signature and cancel the order.

Personal Cheques

Always store your cheque book in a secure place and notify PCU immediately on 131 728 if your cheque book has been lost or stolen.
Never provide anyone with a blank cheque (signed or unsigned) or allow others to use your cheque book.
Destroy all cancelled cheques.
Do not use pencil to write your cheques. Use a pen (black or blue) to write cheques and make sure you don't leave any blank spaces that would allow someone to add extra words or figures.
If you need to make a cheque payable with initials ensure that you place a full stop between the initials e. g. A.B.Smith
Never post date cheques.
When posting cheques in the mail , cross the cheque 'Not Negotiable' and where possible, send it in a plain envelope not a window faced envelope.

Read about Online Security.
Read about common types of fraud.
Read about How to avoid Identity Theft.