Grow Financial Federal Credit Union
September 13, 2018

How to Detect and Protect Yourself Against Card Fraud

This scam isn’t quite the same as others where bad guys trick you into giving up your confidential information. Basically, it’s stealing… somebody with sticky fingers lifts your wallet; or your card information is exposed in a hack of an online retailer or at a gas pump where an illegal card skimmer was installed. Next thing you know, someone is having a good time on your dime.

When card fraud does happen, it’s more like a car accident – out of the blue, and millions of Americans get hit each year. The good news? Thanks to Visa’s Zero Liability Policy, you’re covered against fraudulent charges on your Grow Visa® credit and debit cards.

Be Alert, Don’t Get Hurt.
Here are five simple and effective measures for stopping card fraud cold:

  • Grow Card Alerts1. Lucky for you, all members of Grow are automatically enrolled in this free service for monitoring your card activity 24/7. If there’s a suspicious charge, we’ll text your mobile number on file with us and deactivate your card unless you can personally confirm the transaction.
  • Grow CardManager2, a free app loaded with security features like card on/off should you lose your card, as well as settings for alerts and spending limits. It’s available at the Apple App Store or on Google Play. Grow CardManager also provides real-time transaction information, and if something isn’t right, turn your card off and call us right away.
  • Your Eyeballs. A scammer will sometimes test you first, making a small purchase just to see if you’ll notice, and if you don’t, that’s his green light to go go go! Be sure to check your monthly statements.
  • Don’t Swipe, Dip. Most retailers today have chip terminals that are much more secure than the old swipe terminals you still see on gas pumps. Bonus tip: pay in cash when gassing up the car.
  • Shop at Secure Sites. Look for https in the web address of online retailers. If it’s not there, don’t enter your card information.

Victimized? Call 800.839.6328.
Spotted early, card fraud is nothing more than a hassle and can be fixed with a call to our Member Contact Center. We’ll close out your old card, issue a new one and when it arrives, change your PIN, just to be on the safer side.

 

1All members of Grow Financial are automatically opted in to the service. Members with a valid cell phone number on file will have the convenience of receiving and responding to fraud alerts electronically, in the form of an SMS/text from the phone number (short code number) 32874, at the time of the transaction. Members who do not have a cell phone registered with us will continue to receive voice alerts on other phone numbers in our records. If you do receive an alert, please respond to it quickly as it may disrupt future use of your card.
OPT-OUT:To opt-out of Grow Card Alerts, reply “STOP” to the short code. You can also opt out by calling the number on the back of your card (800.839.6328).
IMPORTANT:If a cell number or text contact (together, “contact”) is provided, or if you later provide such to the credit union via other communication including Online Banking or social media, you consent and agree that (i) you are the subscriber or customary user of the number provided and (ii) that the credit union or our third party servicers (including debt collectors) may use this contact to provide information to you about your accounts and services, to reply to any inquiry, or to provide other information via calling, texting or otherwise. This contact may be made by dialing the cell phone, by autodialer, text or robo text method. You also agree that you shall be solely responsible for any fees charged by your internet or cellular provider that you incurred through such contact. You understand that this consent is not required in order to obtain any loan or services from the credit union, and that you may revoke this consent. You may withdraw your consent to be contacted on your cell number or opt-out at any time by providing written notice to us at Grow Financial Federal Credit, Attn: Member Contact Center, P.O. Box 89909, Tampa, FL 33689-0415, or by contacting us at (813) 837-2451 or (800) 839-6328 during normal business hours. Alerts sent via SMS may not be delivered to you if your phone is not in the range of a transmission site, or if sufficient network capacity is not available at a particular time. Even within coverage, factors beyond the control of Verizon and T-Mobile/MetroPCS may interfere with messages delivery for which the carrier is not responsible. T-Mobile/Metro PCS does not guarantee that alerts will be delivered.
2Additional data charges may apply when using apps. Please see your wifeless carrier for more information.


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