5 tips to keep your card information safe.

There are precautions you can take to protect yourself and limit the chance of your information ending up in the wrong hands. It’s important for you to understand the security features that are available with your cards and to practice using your cards safely.

Check your surroundings.

Use outdoor terminals, like pumps at gas stations and drive-up ATMs, with caution. Criminals can put skimmers in a machine’s card reader, which then copies down your card information while you’re doing a transaction. Stay aware of your surroundings when you’re doing a transaction outside and stay in well-lit areas. Check out our other safety tips for using your card at a gas station.

If you need cash, cover your hand when you enter your PIN at an ATM. And if a machine looks like it has been tampered with, don’t use it! If possible, notify the financial institution of the situation so they can send a technician out to look at the machine.

Shop safe online.

Consider using your credit card instead of your debit card online, since the money does not come out of your account right away. When shopping online, make sure the web address reads https:// instead of http://. The ‘s’ in the web address is an indicator that the site is secure and uses an encrypted network.

If you’re using a public Wi-Fi network, consider using a virtual private network (VPN) for an extra layer of security. And make sure each of your devices are updated to the latest operating system.

Use your digital wallet.

You have your phone wherever you go, so you should use your digital wallet. With this payment option, your card number is not stored on your device and each payment is encrypted with a unique transaction code. For added security, you must verify a purchase before it’s made by using your passcode, Touch ID, or Face ID. You can use your digital wallet to make secure purchases in stores and online. Just make sure you enable all the security settings on your phone.

As a bonus to using digital wallet, you’ll never have to worry about forgetting your actual wallet.

Respond to text alerts ASAP.

We have a new text messaging service to help you monitor your debit card transactions. If we suspect suspicious activity on your account, we may send you a text asking you to verify the transaction in question. Send us a quick reply to let us know if you recognize the transaction. We'll walk you through the next steps in the process of reporting a fraudulent transaction if you don't recognize a purchase that we've contacted you about.

If you get a text from us, it will always come from a 5-digit number, not a 10-digit number resembling a phone number. And we will never ask you for your PIN or the 3-digit security code (CVV) on the back of your card.

Our text message alerts will never contain a link in them. We simply ask you to respond with ‘Yes’, ‘No’, ‘Help’, or ‘Stop’. If you get a text asking you to verify a transaction by clicking on a link, ignore it and delete it immediately.

Monitor your accounts.

Make it a weekly habit to log in to Online or Mobile Banking to check your balances. Review your recent transactions and make sure your purchases look familiar.

Another great way to keep your card information safe is to add restrictions on when and where your card can be used with  CardValet¹. Through this mobile app, you can choose to receive alerts or have card transactions declined if a purchase is attempted over a certain dollar amount or in a new location. If you lose your card, you can turn it off through the CardValet app and turn it back on again if you find it.

If you suspect fraud on your debit card, give us a call at 888.267.7200 and we’ll help you out. For help with your credit card, call our credit card service center at 1.855.671.0078.

¹Third party website. Lake Trust Credit Union is not responsible for the content, availability, security, or compliance of any linked third party websites. In additions, the site’s privacy policy may differ from those of Lake Trust.