All Resources - Information Security and Fraud Prevention

Scammers no longer rely on quick-hit phishing scams; instead, they patiently cultivate online relationships — a tactic investigators call financial grooming. This article unpacks how grooming scams unfold and the red flags to watch for. We also detail the practical actions you and your loved ones can take to shut fraudsters out.

Cyber threats have become increasingly sophisticated, targeting not just large corporations but individuals as well. Among these threats, the spear phishing attack is one of the most deceptive and damaging. So, what is a spear phishing attack, and how do you protect yourself?

Football season is a time for excitement, cheering on your favorite team, and creating lasting memories with friends and family. However, it's also a time when scammers are on the lookout to take advantage of distracted fans. From fake tickets to fraudulent online offers, football season provides scammers with numerous opportunities to trick unsuspecting victims. By staying alert and knowing how to spot common scams, you can protect your finances while enjoying the game.

In today's digital world, protecting your finances has become more challenging than ever. With cybercriminals constantly devising new ways to access personal information and compromise accounts, it’s crucial to stay informed and practice good cybersecurity habits. Whether you're managing your finances online or simply browsing the web, knowing how to safeguard your data can prevent financial loss and protect your personal information from falling into the wrong hands.

Today, most debit and credit cards have multiple ways to transmit data and authenticate a payment. One such way is the small, square computer chips you see on the card. This is called an EMV chip and is used to help protect the user from fraud. Read this article to learn more about how EMV chips work and how they help keep your information safe.

EMV cards, often referred to as chip cards, represent a significant advancement in credit card security technology. The term “EMV” stands for Europay, MasterCard, and Visa, the three organizations that created the standard. These cards are equipped with a small, metallic square chip on the front, which is easily recognizable and distinct from the traditional magnetic stripe on the back of older cards. This chip is a critical component of EMV technology, designed to enhance transaction security and reduce fraud. 

According to the Federal Trade Commission, there were 2.6 million fraud reports in 2023, with $10 billion lost to fraud. It can happen to anyone and is never something to be embarrassed about. It is important to recognize though that the first line of defense is you, so being prepared to safeguard your financial safety is crucial. If something happens, the sooner you reach out for help, the better position you’ll put yourself in.

In today’s digital world, protecting your elderly parents’ assets is essential, as the consequences of financial vulnerability can be devastating. According to the FBI Elderly Fraud Report 2022, total losses reported by elderly victims increased 84% from the previous year to $3.1 billion.  

Given the high stakes, you might wonder, “How can I protect my elderly parents’ money?” Navigating the complexities of financial security for elderly parents requires a blend of empathy, strategic planning and legal action. This guide equips you with the knowledge and steps necessary to secure your elderly parents’ financial well-being. 

The festive season is a time of joy, giving and celebration. But as you prepare to dive into the celebrations, you must be on guard against scams that could ruin your festivities. From convincing phishing emails decorated with jingle bells to too-good-to-be-true travel deals promising a winter wonderland, the tactics are endless and, sadly, effective.

Generally, financial institutions follow information security guidelines and never request personal or sensitive information. Therefore, any call or information request for your banking information, such as banking username and password, account number, routing number or social security number, should be treated with the utmost suspicion. 

As technology evolves, scammers are getting more sophisticated. Some of their rackets appear genuine. Thus, you must be extra vigilant, especially during this holiday season. Here's a detailed overview to equip you against potential pitfalls.

In an era marked by rapid technological advancements and the growing significance of data in various sectors, the safety and security of personal information have become paramount. Credit unions, financial institutions that serve their members' financial needs while operating as non-profit organizations, are no exception to this rule.

With the increasing reliance on digital platforms for banking and transactions, credit unions have taken robust measures to keep member data safe and secure. In this article, we explore the strategies employed by credit unions to protect their members' sensitive information.

Two-factor authentication is a security process that requires two different authentication methods before granting access to an online account or system. Discover the benefits of two-factor-authentication and how to enable it to protect your information.

In our ever-evolving digital landscape, staying informed about software updates, and remote work safety is essential. As our lives continue to be shaped by technology, members must take proactive steps to ensure their financial well-being and data security. In this article, we'll explore the importance of software updates and discuss the challenges and benefits of working from home.

In today's interconnected world, safeguarding your financial well-being requires more than just responsible money management; it involves protecting yourself from evolving online threats like social engineering and phishing attacks. This article aims to empower you with knowledge and practical tips to keep your accounts and personal information secure.

In today's interconnected world, social media platforms have become an integral part of our lives. They help us stay connected with friends and family, share experiences, and even manage our finances. However, the same platforms that bring us together can also pose risks to our cybersecurity and personal information. In this article, we'll explore the intersection of social media and cybersecurity, and provide tips on how to protect yourself and your finances in the digital age.

In today's digital age, safeguarding your financial information is more critical than ever. One of the simplest yet most effective ways to protect your accounts is by ensuring you have strong, secure passwords in place.

Happy World Password Day from Ent’s Information Security Team! That’s right — there’s a global holiday for that now, and it falls on the first Thursday of May annually. Why? Because password security is that important.

So let’s celebrate by reviewing your password habits and making sure you’re taking the right steps to protect your online accounts and personal information. Just follow these tips to create and manage strong passwords for accessing Ent online banking and your other online accounts.

A social engineering attack is a certain type of malicious attack that relies on human error. Hence the word “social.” Human beings are designed to make mistakes, especially when using the internet or corresponding online, and cyber criminals will try and take advantage of the situation. Learn how to protect yourself and others from a social engineering attack.

The holiday season is one of the busiest times of year, especially as people shop, gather, exchange gifts and travel. Scammers and criminals see it as an opportunity to steal your personal information or try to trick you into sending money. Read this article to learn more about common holiday scams and how to avoid them.

Contactless credit and debit cards are becoming more widely accepted at point-of-sales systems across the country as retailers adopt this form of payment processing. Read this article to learn more about contactless cards, how they work and how they help safeguard your transactions from fraud.

Here at Ent Credit Union, we go to great lengths to protect our members. A new scam has started affecting some of our members, and we want to help you stay safe. Learn how to protect your financial and personal information online, so you don’t have to worry about a stranger taking your money. Instead of robbing banks with black hoods over their faces, today’s thieves spend their time scamming everyday consumers and businesses out of their hard-earned money. Suspicious calls, texts, and emails can catch some people off guard, giving fraudsters a chance to drain their bank account.

Millions of seniors are scammed out of their money every year in the United States. Elderly individuals tend to be more susceptible to financial scams. They also tend to have more assets, including owning a home, financial savings and good credit after a lifetime of work. Older Americans suffering from medical conditions such as Alzheimer’s or dementia may also get confused when managing their money. Others may have trouble using the latest technology, including mobile banking apps, email or the internet. Use this guide to protect your aging relatives from scams targeting seniors.

Senior citizens and retired adults are often prime targets for digital hackers and con artists looking to defraud those that they consider vulnerable. These criminals often try to take advantage of these individuals costing them their life savings, which can lead to debt and other financial hardships. If you know someone who is retired, learn about the leading scams targeting them and how they can be identified.

College students may be vulnerable to online scams and predatory behavior. Many students may be living on their own and managing their money for the first time. They may not be familiar with the warning signs of fraud, which can lead to all kinds of unfortunate outcomes, including identity theft and scam purchases. If you or someone you know is getting ready to go to college, use this guide to help protect yourself from common scams that target college students.

So, you believe you’re the victim of a scam—what do you do now? Online scams are becoming increasingly common as online scammers and hackers look for new ways to trick consumers into handing over their personal information. If you’ve been scammed, you might have noticed an unauthorized transaction posted to your bank account or your funds may be lower than expected. There’s also a chance that you sent your personal information to the wrong person by mistake, including your debit and credit card numbers, bank account information, Social Security number, phone number or email address. If you notice a problem with your account, there are several ways to rectify the situation. Follow these steps to secure your money before the scammer has a chance to make another withdrawal.

More people are using mobile banking apps and websites than ever before. Many people prefer to manage their money online using a mobile device rather than visiting a local service center in person. You don’t have to deal with traffic or wait in line to use the ATM. Banking apps are as safe as the financial institutions they represent, but you need to be careful when sending and sharing your information online. Use these safety tips to enjoy the benefits of Ent mobile banking without putting your finances at risk.

It’s generally recommended that you change your password once every three months or so, but it can be easy to forget or push it off. You may be wondering if it’s really such a big deal? Yes, it is because cybercrime is on the rise. In a 2018 survey of adults, almost 33% said they personally had experienced a hack of their social media and email accounts. This may be because up to 50% of them use the same password for multiple accounts. Read this article to help you secure your passwords and online accounts before you get hacked.

So, someone wants to send you money? Maybe someone reached out to you via phone, text or email claiming that you won a prize, they’re going to wire you money or you are the beneficiary for your family members. Everyone wants “free” money, but often these messages or notifications are scams. Learn more about what you can do to protect yourself from these types of scams.

It’s tax season in the U.S. You’re likely focused on gathering all the necessary paperwork and submitting your return on time. Meanwhile, in the criminal world, fraudsters are busy executing schemes in an attempt to steal your identity and money. In fact, the Internal Revenue Service identified $2.3 billion in tax fraud in 2020. To help alleviate some stress this tax season, we’ve compiled this guide to help you protect yourself, recognize possible fraud warning signs and take action if you become a victim.

If you suspect you are being scammed, Ent Credit Union is here to help. Money scams can take many different forms. Criminals may claim to be the government, such as the IRS, or even your local financial institution to con you out of your hard-earned money. There are several ways to find out if you are indeed the victim of a scam. Use this guide to protect yourself from scams online and over the phone.

You know scammers are out there, lurking behind friendly, seemingly legitimate emails and text messages.  They attempt to get your personal information, often by asking you to click on a link. The link will bring you to a website that looks like a legitimate website, but it only exists solely for fraudulent purposes. Did you know that most phishing scams arrive by email? Just 1% attempt to scam you by phone. How can you recognize a phishing scam so you don’t fall prey to one? There are five common giveaways that an email may not be legitimate.

You have passwords for every online store, financial institution and social media website, yet you were still hacked. How is that even possible? Sadly, this is becoming more and more common, which is why multi-factor authentication (MFA) has become more widespread.

You can never be too careful when it comes to managing your money. Cybercriminals and digital hackers often use a technique known as “phishing” to get customers like you to turn over their personal data, including PIN numbers, credit and debit cards, bank statements and other financial information. These kinds of cyberattacks can happen to anyone at any time. That’s why it’s important to learn about phishing, so you can protect yourself and your money from online scams.

Chances are that you’ve been the victim of a spoofing attempt by now. Spoofing is a type of cyberattack where someone pretends to be a trusted source so they can gain access to your personal information. In this article, you’ll learn what spoofing is, and more importantly, what you can do to keep your personal information safe.

Since the pandemic, unemployment insurance fraud has been increasing. If you have been the victim of fraud, read this article for steps to take. 

Ent’s online and mobile banking systems offer multiple fast and easy ways to monitor and control access to your account, helping you watch for fraudulent transactions and providing you with piece of mind. The more quickly and easily you can spot a fraudulent transaction – and alert your financial institution to have it resolved – the less stress and impact it could have on your day-to-day financial activity. Here are a few online banking features we recommend for protecting your accounts:

Protecting your identity and personal information is especially important in today's digital age. Look for suspicious activity like accounts you didn't open or purchases you didn't make. If you suspect you're a target of identity theft, read this article to learn what steps you can take to help protect yourself.

We're routinely enhancing our online security measures to help keep your account safe. 

Be proactive in safeguarding your sensitive, personal and confidential information. Protecting this information makes it difficult for someone to assume your identity to commit fraud or other criminal acts. Focus on best practices in these areas to help keep your information safe:

Scammers are using fake financial institution caller IDs to call and ask people for their banking and personal information. Bank customers and credit union members — including Ent members — are being targeted. Our members have reported getting calls that look like they're from Ent Federal or a specific Ent service center. 

Many of us store personal, sensitive and confidential information on our digital devices. This makes them an attractive target for scammers and criminals. Follow best practices in these areas to help keep your devices secure:

Your vigilance is the best defense against phishing, and here are some quick tips to help keep your information safe.