Fighting fraud, mobile view, Travis CU

Fighting Fraud

Protect Yourself from Fraud,
Scams & Other Risks

Your financial wellness is important to us. Protecting you from potential loss due to fraud, scams and other risks requires awareness and resources such as this Fighting Fraud Page. Learn about the different types of threats and risks out there today and tips on how to deal with them.

Protection

How TCU Protects You

Fraud Resolution

Fraud & Scams

Types of Scams

Other Risks

Guard Your SSN

Protecting Minors


Business owner?
Click here for essential tips to help protect your business.

Protect Yourself from Financial Fraud

Tips to Protect Yourself

  • Keep your TCU login and password to yourself. TCU will never ask for it.
  • Don’t open email attachments or click links from unfamiliar sources.
  • Never click on links or call numbers sent via text message from unknown parties.
  • If something seems too good to be true, it is. Be especially wary of offers if the solicitor requires fast action or evokes a sense of fear.
  • Set up account alerts to notify you of any unusual activity such as unauthorized transactions. Learn More.
  • Never share your Federal Student Aid (FSA) ID or Social Security Number through email, over the phone or on unfamiliar websites.
  • Always use official government websites, such as fafsa.gov or studentaid.gov, to complete financial aid applications or access your student loan information to ensure your personal data remains secure.
  • Check the credibility of any loan offer by researching the lender, reading reviews, and verifying their legitimacy with official sources before providing personal or financial information.

TCU staff

How TCU Protects You

What is Travis Credit Union doing to protect me and my information?
Travis Credit Union’s proactive attention to security concerns has kept the credit union on the cutting edge of privacy best practices. We aim to set a security benchmark for the credit union industry. We frequently audit ourselves and our systems to ensure both provide the same trustworthy service our members have come to expect.

Keeping you informed about identity theft, phishing, ATM skimmers and other types of frauds and scams is another way we help protect your financial future. This Fighting Fraud page is updated regularly to keep you informed about potential threats. Also, TCU employees are held to a strict Privacy Policy.

As a reminder, Travis Credit Union will never call you and ask you for one-time passcodes, your log in credentials, debit or credit card information, or any security details related to your accounts. If that happens, hang up and call us at 800‑877‑8328.

Fraud Protection & Resolution

We want to help you if fraud occurs. TCU provides all our checking account holders with a free, comprehensive Identity Theft Assistance service. This service provides support during the fraud resolution process and includes:

  • Support from highly trained identity theft case workers to help restore your identity and credit records.
  • A Personalized Fraud Resolution Kit that includes valuable educational information about fraud protection and resolution, government agency contact information, personalized letters to credit bureaus and instructions about filing police reports and fraud alerts.
Fraud resolution

Types of Fraud & Scams

Members receive a call, text or email alleging to be from a financial institution which asks the victim to confirm a transaction by responding to texts/emails and/or by providing online access. When the victim responds, that will actually confirm a fraudulent transaction.

Zelle Variation: The fraudster sends a fake text purporting to be from Zelle and asking the recipient to confirm a Zelle transaction, which appears to be similar to Zelle's processes. Rest assured, it is not.

Beware the Pig Butchering Scam! This is a form of confidence trick and investment fraud, where fraudsters gradually lure victims into making large contributions in cryptocurrency towards a promising investment. But here's where the 'butchering' happens - once you have provided enough funds for them they vanish without a trace.

Remember, if an investment sounds too good to be true, it probably is. Always exercise due diligence and caution when dealing with unknown parties online. Stay vigilant. Stay safe.

In this scam, individuals are targeted with fraudulent emails, phone calls or text messages claiming to be from Travis Credit Union, Google or other entities urging them to sign up for Google Family Link. The scammers may use convincing logos and branding to deceive the victims. When victims click on the provided links and enter their personal information, such as their Google account credentials, the scammers gain unauthorized access to their accounts. This can result in identity theft, financial loss, & potential compromise of sensitive data. Stay vigilant and verify the authenticity of such messages before providing any personal information.

Members receive a call, text or email claiming to have won funds in a contest. You’re asked to provide bank account and routing numbers so they can send the money. Note: It is illegal for a U.S. citizen to participate in foreign lotteries.

Members are sent a fake check for a new job and are instructed to deposit it and forward/wire funds for the purchase of equipment for their alleged new job. Similarly, the scammer may ask you to provide account and online login information so the funds can be sent. The member is then instructed to forward the funds elsewhere.

Variation: Some scammers use online job applications as an opportunity to ask you for online banking login information for what they claim is to help set up direct deposit.

The victim provides online login credentials for the deposit of loan proceeds. A fraudulent check is deposited then the member is instructed to forward funds to confirm the account and to “reduce” the loan rate.

In this scam, elderly people are targeted, especially those who are widowed or disabled. The scammer promises to help the victim with financial management. Once their online, account and credit card credentials are released, their money is stolen or the victim’s credentials are used for cash advances on a credit card. Victims may be asked to forward money to help the alleged loved one whom they met online.

In this online purchase scam, usually with Zelle or Venmo, the money is sent for the pet purchase, but no pet is received by the buyer.

You’re told someone wealthy in a foreign country has died and you’ve been contacted to receive money. You’re asked to forward/wire money to help secure the estate from the foreign government.

Be aware of social media ads or personal requests to release your bank credentials such as debit card information. Scammers will deposit fake checks into your account via an ATM and withdraw money via a money app before the fake check is flagged.

The victim releases banking information to the scammer so that they can receive deposits and forward them per the scammer’s instructions. This often involves the member’s account being used to move stolen funds.

The victim is overpaid in a check and is instructed to return the overpayment amount before the fake check is caught by the financial institution.

Your computer is hijacked using malware and you are instructed to buy gift cards before the hacker will release it. Note – this is sometimes faked. Scammers can make it seem your computer is compromised by having you click a link, when in fact they are only bluffing.

The victim is warned that they will be arrested and lose their Social Security benefits if you don’t wire your funds or buy gift cards to protect it from being seized.

Victim receives a call from an alleged grandchild who says they were arrested in a foreign country and needs money sent to help get him or her out of jail. The imposter pleads with the victim not to tell anyone about this since they are so embarrassed.

Victims are asked to open an Individual Retirement Account and to deposit large checks into it, then initiate immediate withdrawal requests.

Protect Your Business

Strengthen Fraud Controls Before It’s Too Late

  • Verify every vendor or supplier change before processing payments.
  • Tax season is prime time for W‑2 phishing and payroll scams — train your team now to spot red flags.
  • Always validate supplier updates with an outbound phone call to a known number, not the one provided in the request.
  • Apply dual‑control for ACH and wire transfers to prevent unauthorized activity.
  • Conduct a quarterly review of vendor records and payment workflows to catch inconsistencies early.

Other Risks

Guard Your Social Security Number
Your Social Security Number (SSN) should be closely guarded. It does not change over your lifespan, which makes it a coveted piece of information for identity thieves. Keep in mind, you may have to share your SSN if you are opening a new account, applying for a loan or a credit card. Only share that information when you are certain it will not be overheard or used without your consent.

A Reminder for Zelle® Users
If you use Zelle® person-to-person payments, Travis Credit Union will never contact you and ask you to send money via a Zelle transaction. If you receive a phone call or text from someone claiming to be from Travis Credit Union who is requesting you to make a Zelle transaction, consider it fraudulent and part of a nationwide scam. Instead, end the call.

Zelle transfers occur immediately, and you should treat such transactions like cash. If you have any questions about Zelle or your TCU accounts, please call us during normal business hours at 800‑877‑8328.

Protecting Minors
Children are regular targets of identity theft. Parents should take care to protect their children’s financial future. Click the links below to look for warning signs and how to check your child’s credit.

  • Collection notices or calls for products or services in your child’s name.
  • Notice declaring your child owes back income tax or their identifying information was used on multiple tax returns.
  • Marketing offers arriving in your child’s name. This could mean an account was opened at a financial institution in your child’s name.
  • Share your child’s private identifying information sparingly and carefully. If asked to share that information, including their SSN, ask and understand how it will be used.
  • Request a credit report in their name from the credit reporting bureaus. Each has their own process. It will take a little time, but will be worth it.
  • If there is a report in your child’s name, request a fraud alert and consider placing a credit freeze.
    • Contact your local police department or Attorney General’s Office to file a report the identity theft and request a copy of any report generated.
    • Contact any financial institution and business listed on your child’s report and explain the account was opened because of theft and request it be closed. You may need to produce documentation from the credit bureaus and law enforcement.
    • Keep a detailed list of any phone calls made and/or documents received as you may need to produce them later.