TIPS TO HELP PROTECT YOU FROM ONLINE FRAUD

At Universal 1 Credit Union, our #1 priority is the safeguarding of your information.

Universal 1 Credit Union will never send unsolicited emails asking our members to provide, update or verify their account or personal information such as passwords, account number, social security number, debit or credit card numbers or any other confidential information.

We have earned your trust and want you to know that we are committed to keeping your accounts and personal information confidential. Email fraud and identity theft are serious crimes that can cause unsuspecting consumers time and money to combat. Online fraud consists of three main topics that are sometimes used interchangeably. Here are the definitions:

Phishing (email fraud): Fraudulent emails or Web pages that often include a legitimate company's logo or images that attempt to illegally obtain clients' confidential information.

Pharming: Code that compromises users' computers and redirects them to fraudulent Web sites - even if users type in the correct URL.

Identity theft: The act of impersonating another, by means of using the person's information, such as birth date, Social Security number, address, name, and bank account information.

When you transact business online, rest assured that we are utilizing the highest levels of security available. We use a 128-bit SSL (secure socket layer) to help protect your information. SSL converts your PIN (Personal Identification Number) and password into secure code and transmits that data over a secure channel. We have the only key to unlock or "decrypt" your confidential data. Look for the https:// (as opposed to http://) in your browser window along with the padlock icon in the lower right corner of the page whenever you conduct online transactions. If you double-click the padlock, a window will appear with information about the website. The information in the window should match the website you are visiting.

For members who use our Home Banking product, your login ID and password are secured the instant you click "login". That is a secure field on our home page.

Our home page, internet banking and bill payment features are all hosted by NCR behind their robust firewall. We also utilize the most advanced virus protection and spyware software to further help protect your information. We recommend that you consider purchasing virus protection software for your personal computer as well as spyware and spam blocking utilities. These programs will assist in preventing your information from becoming compromised. However, the best protection is knowledge and understanding of how online fraud works. Everyone wants to feel safe when they use the internet. Here are some tips to help you have a safe and secure experience:

• Protect your password-never give your password or PIN to anyone. If possible, commit your passwords to memory.
• Change your password often-at minimum, you should change your password every 60 days.
• Create difficult passwords-by using a combination of numbers, characters and letters, your password becomes more difficult to compromise. Birthdays, anniversaries and children's names are the easiest passwords for a seasoned internet thief to determine.
• Only use sites you trust-use reputable sites and always look for the padlock and https:// security features.
• Keep your anti-virus and spyware software updated-you can purchase these products from almost any retail store and they are also available for download from Norton and McAfee.

The National Credit Union Administration has provided literature to help prevent you from becoming a victim of phishing and identity theft. You may view this information by clicking on this link:
http://www.ncua.gov/Publications/brochures/IdentityTheft/index.htm

The FTC (Federal Trade Commission) has created a website to help address the rising cyber crime threat. This website, OnGuard Online, was designed to enlighten consumers about identity theft, phishing, spam, and online shopping scams. Consumers can take interactive quizzes to test their knowledge on these subjects. If a wrong answer is selected, the program explains why that particular misconception about Internet security can lead to trouble. Consumers can also find detailed guidance on how to monitor their credit histories, use effective passwords, and recover from identity theft.

If you believe you have been a victim of a phishing scam related to your Universal 1 Credit Union account, please send us an email at homebanking@universal1cu.org or call (937) 225-6800 or (800) 762-9555 and speak to an eCommerce representative. You should also report suspicious activity to the Federal Trade Commission at www.consumer.gov/idtheft or call 877-IDTHEFT and all three major credit bureaus (TransUnion: 800-680-7289, Experian: 888-397-3742, and Equifax: 800-525-6285).