It’s the most wonderful time of the year, especially for fraudsters who take advantage of the holiday season. We often get so lost in holiday cheer that we let our guard down and leave ourselves vulnerable to scammers. In case you forget to protect yourself while dashing through the snow, we’ll be here working hard to keep your accounts safe. As a Chartway member, keeping your account and personal information protected is always a top priority for us! You can help by keeping an eye out for some of these common scams:

Charity Rip-offs

Scammers may pose as charitable organizations for well-known causes. Whether approached by email, telephone, or in person, be sure to protect yourself by never giving cash or credit card information via email or phone. If you’re considering donating to a charity, try searching its name plus “scam” or “complaint.” To be safe, donate using a credit card or check and keep a record of your donations.

Phishing

Phishing works in different ways; but in the most common scenario, a scammer baits you with an appealing link that re-directs you to a different website. Best case – you’ll be taken to a shady website. Worst case – clicking the link infects your computer with a virus that steals your personal information or locks your computer until you agree to pay the scammer a ransom fee.

The simple solution? Think before you click. Verify the source is not a spoofed website by double-checking the URL to make sure the spelling is correct, begins with “https,” and has the small lock icon confirming it is a secure site. Some holiday phishing scams come from emails or SMS text messages that pretend to confirm online orders with bogus links to more information.

Credential Stuffing

Credential stuffing is a cyberattack scheme that is on the rise and affecting online users around the globe. With this method, cybercriminals compile stolen login credentials from previous security breaches (such as Yahoo, Facebook, Door Dash, etc.).  The cybercriminals then use these stolen credentials to search for online accounts that may use the same Login ID and password combinations.  

The best way to thwart credential stuffing is to change your password on all your accounts and use a long, complex password that is unique for each account. Avoid using the same password on multiple accounts. Also, change your login ID to one that is equally long and unique. If you need help managing your passwords, consider using a password manager, such as 1Password or LastPass, to help.

Protect your personal information:

  1. Chartway will NEVER contact you directly (by phone, email, or text) and ask for specific confidential information, including your:
    1. Debit or Credit Card Number
    2. Personal Identification Number (PIN)
    3. Security (CVV) code on back of card
    4. Online Banking username or password
    5. Social Security number
  2. You should always be wary of any emails, messages, or phone calls that request your confidential information, like your account numbers, login IDs, PINs and passwords, or any other personally identifiable information. 
  3. Ask the caller for their name and a number that you can call them back at. If this number doesn’t match the one they called you from, this is a major red flag.
  4. Many fraudsters use scare tactics, such as threatening to disable your account. Don't feel pressured into providing information.
  5. Never click on links in email or text, unless you are absolutely certain of who sent it.
  6. As always, you should frequently review your account history for any unusual transactions. 

Remember: Chartway will never solicit your personal information over the phone or by email.

If you ever suspect unauthorized activity on your Chartway account, please call us at (800) 678-8765. We’re here to help keep your financial accounts safe and secure.