Password Security Tips

A strong password is an important protection to help you have safer online transactions. Here are steps you can take to create a strong password. Some or all might help protect your online transactions:

• Length. Make your passwords at least eight or more characters.
• Complexity. Use the entire keyboard and include punctuation, symbols and numbers. The greater the variety of characters in your password, the better. However, password hacking software automatically checks for common letter-to-symbol conversions, such as changing “and” to “&” or “to” to “2.”
• Variation. Change passwords frequently. Set an automatic reminder every three months to change your passwords to access your email, banking accounts, and credit card websites.
• Variety. Don’t use the same password for everything. Cybercriminals steal passwords on websites that have very little security, and then they use that same password and user name in more secure environments, such as banking websites.

Common Scam Practices

Many fraudsters will use phishing, vishing or smishing to trick their victims into providing information. It is very important to be aware of suspicious inbound emails, phone calls and text messages.

• Phishing is the criminal practice of sending emails asking the victim to click on a link within the email and validate private, personal and financial information.
• Vishing is the criminal practice of using social engineering and voice IP telephone services to gain access to private, personal and financial information.
• SMishing is the criminal practice of sending text messages to gain access to private, personal and financial information.

How To Identify Scams

It isn’t always easy to identify an email, phone call or text message as being a scam. It’s important to contact us immediately if you have any doubts or suspicions at all. We highly recommend that you closely monitor your account statements to identify possible misuse of your Debit information.

The majority of fraudsters will ask cardholders to validate personal information – information that we as a financial institution will already have and would never request from you. You should never give out the following information when someone emails, calls or texts:

• Account number
• Social Security number
• Card expiration date
• CVV2/CVC2 – the security code on the back of cards

Use this Scam Checker to help gauge if a strange text, email, or voice message is a scam:

If You Become A Victim

If you discover any suspicious or unusual activity on your AAGCU savings or checking accounts or suspect fraud, be sure to report it to us immediately.

Report suspicious activity – Call 206-824-9800.

You may also be asked to send Visa Dispute Department a completed Visa Debit Card Dispute/Chargeback Form. 

Please call before filling out the form.

Lost/Stolen Debit Cards – Call

• During business Hours (9am-5pm PST): 206-824-9800
• After Hours: 833-285-1750

Additional Resources

Here are two websites with tools to help educate consumers on identifying and reporting fraud:

• What To Do If You Were Scammed. 
• Online Privacy and Security.