Member Security &
Fraud Prevention Tips

While nearly all merchants and organizations have anti-fraud security measures in place, recent high-exposure breach events at major companies have shown that it’s difficult to completely prevent fraud for even the most sophisticated defense systems.

That said, as a savvy individual, there are things you can do to both reduce your risk of experiencing fraud and minimize any potential fraud loss.

Follow this fraud prevention checklist of things you can do today to remain safe on an everyday basis:

• Log into uOnline and update the contact information connected to your Unitus account. Make sure your phone, email, and street address are all up to date so we can contact you quickly in case of any suspicious activity from fraudsters. Early detection is the most effective way to limit or eliminate loss. If you suspect you are a victim of identity theft, learn more about what rights you have.
• Enroll in Fraud Text Alerts. Once you do, we can notify you instantly via SMS text of any suspicious activity on your account. Again, early detection is crucial.
• Download the Unitus Card Guard mobile app. The app allows you to turn off or turn on your card instantly to ensure only you can access your card. It lets you set spending alerts and receive instant notifications of account activity to make sure you are in complete control of your card.

If your Unitus card is ever at risk of being compromised due to a security breach at a merchant, such as Target or Home Depot, rest assured we will act swiftly.

We will contact you to inform you of the merchant breach. We will then walk you through the process of canceling your card and issuing you a new one to protect your data and your finances.

When you feel secure and confident, you’re more able to serve your family, your community, and yourself. We’re here to help.

Gift card scams

Fraudsters are always on the hunt for ways to scam consumers out of their hard-earned money, that includes gift cards too either bought online or in stores! Here are a few of the most common types of gift card scams:

Fake Online Listings Scam
You find an item advertised online such as concert or event tickets, a vehicle, pet, or rental property and are instructed to make a payment using a branded gift cards sold online, and provide your claim codes via email or phone. The item is often priced far below market value and the seller may claim they need to sell the item quickly because of a life event that creates a sense of urgency, such as moving, divorce, death of a loved one, or military deployment. The scammer also may claim that following a payment for the goods, you will receive the item and may even end a fake receipt. Always be suspicious of anyone who contacts you and demands money quickly; no legitimate seller would require you to pay for the item in gift cards.

Boss Scams
You receive an unexpected/unsolicited email or text message from your boss or a leader in an organization you are involved in requesting that you purchase branded gift cards and send the cards or the claim codes to that person. Typically, the message will say that the gift cards will be used for some purpose within the company (e.g., employee incentives, client appreciation, charitable donations). The scammer may claim they are out of town, in a conference call, or otherwise engaged and that is why they need you to make the purchase for them.

We suggest you immediately try to contact your boss or the leaders of your organization directly using a phone number/email that you know is theirs. Always be suspicious of anyone who contacts you and demands money quickly.

Unsolicited phone call from scammers claiming to be from Unitus
Scammers are using fake caller ID information to trick you into thinking they’re someone who can be trusted. The practice is called “caller ID spoofing,” and scammers can fake anyone’s phone number. You may receive an unsolicited call from someone stating they are a member of Unitus’ Member Service Department. They may say your account is frozen and you need to purchase a Unitus or branded gift card(s) and provide the claim codes over the phone in order to remove the freeze on your account. Other things they might ask for are your Unitus uOnline password, full credit card ID or credit union account number.

Unitus will never call or ask for sensitive information such as your account number, password, card number, PIN or 3-digit security code. If you receive a call, text, or email from someone claiming to represent Unitus requesting this information, please do not respond.

Family emergency scams
You receive an unexpected phone call or unsolicited email from an individual claiming to be a lawyer, law enforcement agent, hospital employee, or other representative for a family member in distress who needs your immediate financial help. Some callers may even try to impersonate your family member or friend. You may be instructed to purchase Unitus gift cards or another branded gift card to resolve the situation.

We suggest immediately contacting your family member directly using a phone number that you know is theirs, or contact another relative who can assist you. Always be suspicious of anyone who contacts you and demands money quickly.

Unpaid debt and tax scams
You receive an unexpected phone call or unsolicited email to make a payment for taxes, fines, bail money, utility bills, or other unexpected fees. The scammer may claim you owe a past due amount as a result of miscalculation of your taxes; or the scammer may claim that you are owed a tax refund, prize, or rebate but must first make a payment for administrative fees with a gift card.

If you receive a call from someone claiming to be from the IRS and asking for money, you should never give out personal information. Report the call to the IRS using their IRS Impersonation Scam Reporting web page or by calling the IRS at 1.800.366.4484.

Job offer scams
You receive an unexpected phone call suggesting you apply for a Unitus job where you can work from home. You may be told that you can work your own hours, and make thousands of dollars a month. Once the scammer informs you that you’ve received a job offer, they may request that you pay a start-up fee or purchase a starter kit with a Unitus gift card.

We recommend that you do not respond to employment opportunities from cold-callers, over email, or on websites claiming to be affiliated with Unitus. Any Unitus job opportunities will be posted on the Unitus Careers page, and will not require you to purchase equipment or pay any initiation fees.

How to Report Fraud/Scams
Contact the Federal Trade Commission (FTC), which handles complaints about deceptive or unfair business practices. To learn more about common gift card scams, visit FTC.gov/giftcards. To file a complaint, visit https://ftccomplaintassistant.gov, call 1-877-FTC-HELP, or write to: Federal Trade Commission, CRC-240, Washington, D.C. 20580

If your complaint is against a company in a country other than the United States, or you want to find information on where to report in locations outside the United States, visit http://www.econsumer.gov.

If you believe you have fallen victim to or been exposed to a scam, contact us. For lost or stolen Unitus credit or debit cards, immediately call 503.423.8315 or 1.800.422.3132 and choose option # 2.

If you suspect other fraud with your Unitus accounts or relationship, call 503.227.5571 or 1.800.452.0900.

You may also visit our Contact Us page and submit an inquiry form, just select ‘Suspicious activity on my account’ from the drop-down. If you are contacting us via personal email, please have you email’s subject line read: ‘Suspicious activity on my account’. This will help our staff assist you.