Fraud Prevention

We've got your back.

We’re committed to helping you identify and ignore scams, fraud, and identity theft, through both our services and ongoing education.

Website and Online Banking Security

Meridian Trust is dedicated to protecting your security and account information. We use the latest security and intrusion software and firewalls, and maintain physical, electronic and procedural safeguards that exceed federal regulations, to guard your non-public personal information.

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    Encryption

    Our website home page is protected using the latest certificate based encryption. This ensures that our website is authentic and protected. Our Online Banking uses 128-bit secure sockets layer (SSL) encryption, as well as additional security procedures.

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    User Names and Passwords

    Online Banking requires strong user names and passwords to protect your account. Meridian Trust recommends you always select strong user names and passwords.

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    Multifactor Authentication

    Online Banking asks you identity questions as an added security layer when we do not recognize the computer you are using.

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    Secure Email

    All email sent to Meridian Trust using our Secure Email Portal is secured to protect your personal information.

Common Scams

Learn about the common scams and ways to prevent yourself from becoming a victim to a scammer.

Social Media Scams:

Reports make clear that social media is a tool for scammers in investment scams. More than half the people who reported losses to investment scams in 2021 said the scam started on social media. Scammers use these platforms to promote bogus investment opportunities, and even to connect with people directly as supposed friends to encourage them to invest. People send money, often cryptocurrency, on promises of huge returns, but end up empty-handed.

Romance scams are just as prevalent on social media, actually reporting as the second most profitable fraud. These often start with a seemingly innocent friend request from a strangers, followed by sweet talk, then a request for money.

While investment and romance scams top the list on dollars lost in social media scams, the largest number of reports came from people saying they were scammed trying to buy something they saw marketed on social media.

There are many other frauds on social media too, and new ones popping up all the time. Here are some ways to help you and your family stay safe on social media:

  • Limit who can see your posts and information on social media. All platforms collect information about you from your activities on social media, but visit your privacy settings to set some restrictions.
  • Check if you can opt out of targeted advertising. Some platforms let you do that.
  • If you get a message from a friend about an opportunity or an urgent need for money, call them. Their account may have been hacked – especially if they ask you to pay by cryptocurrency, gift card, or wire transfer. That’s how scammers ask you to pay.
  • If someone appears on your social media and rushes you to start a friendship or romance, slow down. Read about romance scams. And never send money to someone you haven’t met in person.
  • Before you buy, check out the company. Search online for its name plus “scam” or “complaint.”

Romance Scams:

Online dating scams are of the most common scams out there. Scammers know millions of people using online dating sites. They are there, too, hiding behind fake profiles.

Here are some signs of a scam:

  • Professes love quickly. Claims to be overseas for business or military service.
  • Asks for money, and lures you off the dating site.
  • Claims to need money-for emergencies, hospital bills, or travel.
  • Plans to visit, but can’t because of an emergency.

How to protect yourself:

  1. Slow down – and talk to someone you trust. Don’t let a scammer rush you.
  2. Never transfer money from your bank account, buy gift cards, or wire money to an online love interest. You won’t get it back.
  3. Contact Meridian Trust FCU right away if you think you’ve sent money to a scammer.
  4. Report your experience to:
    • The online dating site
    • Federal Trade Commission: ReportFraud.ftc.gov

Medicare Scams:

Scammers may sound professional, say they’re from Medicare, and have your personal details. But in reality, they’re trying to steal your money, Medicare information, or your identity. Here’s hour to spot potential scams and what to do:

  • Don’t trust the name displayed on your phone. Scammers can fake a caller ID.
  • Hang up if anyone calls and asks for your Medicare, Social Security, or bank or credit card information. Legitimate Medicare employees have your Medicare number on file.
  • Don’t be rushed into making a decision. You have until December 7 to enroll, and Medicare doesn’t offer extra benefits for signing up early.
  • Ignore threats to take away your benefits. If you qualify, your benefits can’t be taken away for not signing up for a plan.
  • Don’t talk to anyone that suggests their plan is preferred by Medicare. The truth is that Medicare doesn’t endorse a specific plan.
  • Visit the Eldercare Locator or call toll-free 1-800-677-1116 to find local resources that can give you more information about the different Medicare plans available.

To report someone pretending to be affiliated with Medicare and other Medicare scams, call 1-800-MEDICARE (800-633-4227) and tell the FTC at ReportFraud.ftc.gov.

 

When tax season is in full swing, many people fall victim to scams about owing the IRS money. Learn more about several tips to help you avoid being scammed.

Cyber Criminals are trying to capitalize on the great momentum of Windows 10, with nefarious email, web, and phone scams directing customers to install ransomware and other malware.

Microsoft does not initiate calls to customers to assist with Windows 10 installation or technical support, no do they send emails with installation files attached. If you have been contacted by telephone of have received such emails with attached installation files, consider these fraudulent and do not share your personal information or open the attachment.

Examples of Scams by Cybercriminals

  • A fraudulent email providing you a link or attachment that claims to start the Windows 10 installation process.
  • An unsolicited internet pop-up attempting to guide you through the installation process.
  • A phony call from someone posing as a Microsoft employee, who offers to assist with an upgrade to Windows 10 or to “help” with any other Microsoft product.

Getting scammed by the official McAfee company is quite unlikely. However, there are many scammers who try to take advantage of the well-known McAfee name. Scammers trick people and gain access to their money or personal information using malicious software.

Top McAfee Scams you should know:
1. Phishing Scams
2. Pop-up Scams
3. Scam Emails
4. Renewal Scam
5. Antivirus Plus Scam
6. Tech Support Scam
7. Fake Virus Scan Scam
8. Free Trial Scam

McAfee antivirus software is a popular choice for computer protection, but cybercriminals are now using McAfee branding to scam people. Here are five tips to avoid phishing scams that use the McAfee name and protect your bank account:

  • Check the URL before you click. Cybercriminals will often create fake websites that look like legitimate companies in order to phish for your personal information. Before you click on any links, check to make sure the URL is correct.
  • Grammatical errors. Another way to spot a fake website is to look for grammatical errors. Many scammers are not native English speakers, so they may make mistakes in their grammar.
  •  Sender’s address. Be cautious of any emails that come from a free email service like Gmail or Yahoo. These are more likely to be scams.
  • Hover over links. Before you click on any links in an email, hover your mouse over the link to see where it will take you. If the URL looks suspicious, don’t click on it.
  •  Call the company. If you’re unsure whether an email or website is legitimate, call the company to verify. Don’t use the contact information in the email, look for the company’s contact information on their website.

Meridian Trust FCU will never ask you for any personal information, including any account information or Social Security number via email. Email is a responsible way to deliver product and service offers, regulatory information and rate updates, but beware of all emails that go beyond this type of communications.

You need to shred financial documents that you no longer need, otherwise identity thieves can steal them from your trash. Protect your privacy with Meridian Trust’s Free Shredding Service.

As a Meridian Trust member, you can bring up to 25 pounds of confidential, personal documents to either of our Cheyenne locations for free document shredding.

So what should you shred? Here’s a list of where to start:

  • Credit union statements
  • Credit card statements
  • Monthly bills
  • Cancelled checks
  • Blank checks
  • Investment information
  • Financial statements
  • Medical records
  • Income tax records
  • Credit reports
  • Credit card offers

Really, you should shred anything you wouldn’t feel comfortable having someone pick up and read. Criminals need very little information to steal your identity, and once your financial information hits the trash, your identity is floating around waiting to be stolen. Shredding is a free, minimal inconvenience compared the costly, time-consuming and worrisome process of having your identity stolen.

But how long should you keep documents? Here are some general guidelines for you:

  • Keep any tax-related records for seven years
  • Keep records of IRA contributions permanently
  • Keep quarterly retirement/savings plan statements until you receive an annual statement. If the numbers match, shred the quarterlies and keep the annual summaries permanently.
  • Shred unimportant credit union records after one year; keep the rest permanently
  • Keep brokerage statements until you sell the securities
  • Most of the time you can shred bills once you get a cancelled check. Keep bills for big items permanently.
  • Keep credit card receipts to reconcile with your statements, then keep the statements for seven years
  • Paycheck stubs should be kept until you receive your end-of-year tax statements
  • Keep house records permanently

https://ftc.gov to file a complaint
BBB.com to review businesses and file complaints
IRS 1-877-438-4338
Credit Bureaus:
Experian 888-397-3742
Equifax 800-685-1111
TransUnion 800-916-8800
Opt Out Numbers 888-567-8688 (credit offers)
Do Not Call 382-1222 (telemarketing)

Learn more about other scams to protect yourself and fight fraud by visiting this website:
https://www.aarp.org/money/scams-fraud/?intcmp=GLBNAV-SL-MON-CONP

Protect your identity with Fraud Defender

Identity theft is when someone uses key pieces of your personal information against you for their personal gain. Unfortunately, you have a higher chance of having your identity stolen than you do of being involved in a violent crime, having a heart attack, or even getting into a car accident. With Fraud Defender, we can lower those odds.

  • Basic Protection

    A cost-effective and fundamental solution to guard against identity theft, including: fully managed recovery, lost document replacement, internet black market monitoring and credit monitoring. You’ll receive reimbursement on out-of-pocket expenses incurred recovering your identity, up to $1 million, and a professional recovery advocate works with you and on your behalf to resolve all issues.

    Basic Protection is just $2.95 per month for an individual or $5.80 per month for a family.

    Sign up for Basic Protection

  • Preferred Protection

    A more comprehensive solution, with all of the features of Basic Protection, with the added benefit of a “credential vault,” which securely stores information for up to 50 credentials, such as credit cards, checking accounts, savings accounts, personal loan information, passport, retirement accounts and more. This package also includes an annual credit report, credit score and credit monitoring. You’ll receive alerts anytime information on your credit report is updated.

    Preferred Protection is just $6.95 per month for an individual or $13.70 per month for a family.

    Sign up for Preferred Protection

  • Premium Protection

    Includes all of the features included in Preferred Protection, plus 3-bureau credit monitoring, and ID monitoring of public records, which monitors millions of public database records to identify changes to your personal information. This includes changes to your name, address, Social Security Number and phone numbers, as well as other key identifying information.

    Premium Protection is $12.95 per month for an individual or $24.90 per month for a family.

    Sign up for Premium Protection

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