ID Theft Protection

Identity theft can take a real toll on your life – both financially and emotionally.

While technology becomes more advanced, so do fraudsters in their attempts to scam people into giving them access to their accounts. We are aware of fraudulent sites that may be used to target individuals, misrepresenting Advia. Please call us (844-238-4228) immediately if you are contacted by phone, text, online, email, or in any other way that you believe to be fraudulent in regard to your Advia accounts.

Only click on trusted site links that are presented on the internet, via email, and text. As a reminder, if Advia initiates contact with a member, we will never ask for full SSN, full card number information, or other full identifying information that could be used to initiate identity theft.

For your protection, we have developed tips and resources to protect yourself from fraud and ID Theft. We continue to work to provide you additional resources to safeguard your identity and financial health. Explore the topics below to learn specific ways you can help prevent fraud.

Debit & Credit Cards
Your Advia Account
Mobile Devices
Safeguard Your ID
Recovery Plan
Resources

Visa® Alerts at your fingertips.

Advia has partnered with Visa® to provide you a helpful online tool that allows you to be immediately notified when your Credit Card or Debit Card has been used for a purchase. You set the guidelines of how and when you’ll be alerted. Plus, you can choose to be notified by text message or email. We suggest setting up all the following for maximum security:

  • Purchases over a specified dollar amount
  • Purchases made outside the U.S.
  • Online & phone purchases (without your card being present)

Grab your card to enroll right now!

It's easy to get started.

Enroll Now!
Advia’s Fraud Protection Team is working around the clock to monitor activity on your cards. We may even know before you do when unusual activity has occurred on your account. You can help by reviewing your account activity regularly within Digital Banking. If you notice anything unusual, contact us right away. Can’t find your card? Don’t delay – if you think your card may be lost or stolen, report it to us immediately. We can place a temporary hold on your card while you look for it, or cancel it so you can get a new instantly issued card at any of our branch locations.
When you choose a Personal Identification Number (PIN) for any card, avoid a number that appears in your wallet – like a birthdate, address number, or phone number. Absolutely never share your PIN with anyone, and especially never through a text, email, or phone call. Cover the keypad when entering your PIN at a grocery store or ATM, and above all, don’t write your PIN down where someone can find it.
When shopping online, make certain the site you’re shopping is a secure site that allows secure purchase transactions (look for the closed-lock icon and “https://...” in the address bar). Always sign off from the website after your purchase is complete, and if you cannot sign off, close your browser to help prevent unauthorized access to your card information.

Protecting your Advia Account.

Here are some tips on how to keep your Advia account as secure as possible.

A password is still one of the best tools to keep your information private, and Advia is here to help. Create your own personal password that you can remember, but no one else can guess. The next time you come in or call, let us know you’d like to set this up and we’ll have it placed on your account. Then, any time you call or come in (in addition to other steps we take to verify your identity), we’ll ask you for your password before providing any financial assistance or information. It’s that simple!
The easiest way to verify your contact information is current is within Digital Banking. Log in and then select Security & Settings followed by Update Your Contact Info. Not a Digital Banking user? Simply come in or call to verify we have your updated address, phone number, and email address.
Having 24-hour access to your own account information is key to being able to monitor activity. With Advia’s Digital Banking tools, you can do that from the convenience of your computer, tablet, or mobile device. Once enrolled, you’ll find tools for monitoring account activity, setting up alerts, and more. Remember to establish a unique Login ID and complex password – and consider updating them periodically for your greatest account protection!
Avoid having paper versions of important financial statements mailed to you. We recommend setting up your recurring bills to be paid online (with Advia, you can tie them to your Visa Credit Card or Debit Card for automatic payments or enjoy the convenience of online Bill Pay). Within Digital Banking, you can easily set up all statement and account notice activity to be delivered safely and more quickly with e-Statements. You’ll have up to 14 months of statement history at your fingertips when needed. Still getting financial documents or statements by mail? Remember to shred those containing sensitive information.

Mobile and device security.

Being secure while you're on the move is very important.

There are multiple safeguard tools on your mobile device, so make sure to put them to good use! Protect your phone by setting up a PIN to access your phone and with your mobile carrier so no one can make changes to your account. Keep all security patches, anti-virus and malware software, browser versions, mobile apps, and plugins updated. And configure your device to protect from unauthorized users being able to remotely access (follow manufacturer’s recommendations for configurations for wireless routers for your home internet connection).
Consider what you download – avoid programs or apps from unknown sources, but rather download programs and apps from trusted sources like your phone’s app store or manufacturer’s website.

Accessing your account online is a great way to know what’s going on with regard to account activity, but here are some tips to stay safe:

  • Don’t access financial accounts through public Wi-Fi networks such as retail shops and public libraries
  • Don’t store passwords or other sensitive information on your PC, mobile device, or in an app that could be accessed by another person in case your device is lost or stolen
  • When you finish accessing your account digitally, always sign off rather than simply closing the browser
  • Share your phone? In this case, we do not recommend using fingerprint authentication or Apple’s Face ID® feature to authenticate. When this type of authentication is enabled, any person with a saved fingerprint registered on your phone may be able to log in to your Digital Banking app, view account information, and perform transactions

Safeguard your identity.

Your identity is everything, and the key is to be aware of what is happening with all your different accounts. Below are tips on how to keep a close eye on your personal information.

Review your credit report at least once every year to look for unusual activity like unauthorized accounts opened in your name. You can receive a FREE credit report from each of the three major credit bureaus at www.annualcreditreport.com.
If you did not initiate contact with Advia or other service provider, never provide personal or financial information over the phone, through email, or by text as this is typically not secure. Advia will never call you and ask you for your full Social Security Number or Account Number. Moreover, don’t click on links, open attachments, or respond to emails or text messages from suspicious or unknown senders.

Reconsider how much personal information you share online. By posting the type of information used by your bank or other companies to verify your identity, you may be putting your finances at risk.

Make sure to review the privacy options for social media platforms you’re using to know how to limit the amount and type of information you choose to share.
Are you receiving bills for items you didn't buy? Debt collection calls for accounts you didn't open? Or perhaps denials for loan applications? These may be signs that you’ve become a victim of identity theft. If you experience any of these, please contact us right away so we can begin steps to help you recover.

Identity theft – your recovery action plan.

If you have been a victim of identity theft, there are steps you can take to ensure your financial well-being. Below you will find a summary of the steps recommended by the Federal Trade Commission.

1 - Contact Creditors and Financial Institutions

If the fraud occurred at a business, contact that establishment immediately. Then follow up with your financial institutions, creditors and other service providers to update payment and account information.

2 - Contact a Credit Bureau

  • By contacting Experian, TransUnion, or Equifax, you can place a fraud alert on the affected account(s) and they will contact the other two institutions.
    • Experian.com/fraudalert – 1.888.397.3724
    • TransUnion.com/fraud – 1.800.680.7289
    • Equifax.com/creditreportassistance – 1.888.766.0008

3 - Report It

Contact the Social Security Fraud Hotline, local law enforcement agencies, and the Federal Trade Commission to report the incident.

4 - Monitor and Correct

It is important to continue to monitor your credit report and accounts after identity theft. In addition to monitoring, now is the time to start correcting any debts that occurred because of the fraud and have your identification cards reissued.

Advia Credit Union is here to help if you have been a victim of identity theft. You can connect with Advia immediately by calling us 24 hours a day.

 

 

Recommended online resources.

Stay updated about current scams out there and how to protect yourself. In addition to contacting Advia Credit Union as your trusted financial partner, here are some sites we think are worth checking out:

10 Ways to Avoid Fraud

Fraud Prevention Tips