Routing #283978425

Quick Links
Find rates for... Instant Cash Mortgage/HELOC Savings Products Term Share Certificates Vehicle Loans

Financial Education for all ages, click here.

Find us on:

Beware: Phone Scam Alert

Beware:  A number of members have recently reported receiving emails and phone calls telling them that their accounts have been frozen and that account information is needed to re-open them. Don’t respond…this is a scam.
3/26/13

Tax Time Scams

Don’t lose your tax return or more!
#1. You expect a return and don’t get one. You call the Internal Revenue Service to learn someone else has claimed the refund using your Social Security number. What happened?  You may have given your SSN to someone else who filed for you!

#2. You’re using Turbo Tax software and you receive an email that appears to come from the company telling you to download updates to comply with IRS requirements. You click on link and a virus downloads. In another, the link takes you to a page asking for personal information that can be used for identity theft. Don’t do it…TurboTax never solicits personal information by email and users can check for any required updates from within the program.

#3. You receive a phone call from someone claiming to be an IRS representative who says the agency made a mistake and owes you more money. The caller then asks for your bank account information to make a direct deposit. Don’t do it…The IRS doesn’t work like this over the phone!

#4. You get an email that appears to come from the IRS asking for personal information. Such an email is not valid and should be deleted. Again, the IRS doesn’t work like this. They deal in written communications and there will be correct information on who to contact in the letter.  But, also, be cautious with written stuff. Check it out.

#5. Watch out for a “fly by night” tax preparer…Sets up a cheap office and provides cheap service. You’ll never see a dime!
2/13/13

Insurance Coverage Change

Congress failed to enact legislation to extend temporary unlimited insurance coverage on noninterest-bearing transaction accounts (checking) beyond December 31, 2012.  As a consequence, insurance coverage will return to the permanent level of up to $250,000 beginning January 1, 2013.  In other words, noninterest-bearing transaction accounts will be subject to the same insurance coverage levels as all other share accounts in a credit union.

Vets Warned About More Scams

Veterans need to be aware of scams involving companies that require payments for processing pension and benefits forms. Pension poachers' are targeting veterans through seminars and other veteran outreach events. The VA and several Veterans Service Organizations, like the American Legion, VFW, and AMVETS offer these services at no cost to the veteran through accredited district service officers.
10/2/12

Top

Don’t Get Hacked!

While Fort Knox Federal’s on line platform remains secure, sophisticated hackers are working overtime and getting into some other online banking accounts and creating havoc for those users who have easy or common password protection.  We highly recommend that you have a  unique and strong password.  Please take time now to change it if it’s easy or quite common.

Top

Wire Transfer Fees

Effective August 15, 2012, Fort Knox Federal Credit Union will assess a fee of $20 per outgoing domestic wire transfer.  The fee for inbound wire transfers will remain the same.  Additionally, due to increased fraud attempts and severely restrictive federal government regulations, Fort Knox Federal has  suspended international wire transfers.   Please contact the Member Resources Branch at 800/285-5669 or your local branch for more information.
8/15/12

Top

Data Breach Information

A large payment system was recently breached compromising many credit and debit cards. If yours’ was compromised, thieves may be looking for more information to conduct fraud transactions. They may try to get billing address, CVV2/CVC2 3-digit code on back of card or passwords. Protect your account and identity… Don’t give anyone this information.

Top

BBB: Don’t Fall for Text Messages Offering ‘Free’ Gift Cards!
Recent Messages appear to be from Wal-Mart and Best Buy!

If you receive a text message saying you “have been randomly selected for a $1000 Best Buy Card” or another text offering you a free Walmart gift card, delete the message! This is a smishing scam! Both text messages ask you to click on a link to claim your “prize.”

Some BBB employees received the Best Buy text message last night.

Smishing is a relatively new twist on an old scam that capitalizes on the growth in smartphones. A smishing scam is a phishing scam that is sent to you via SMS text to your phone, instead of via email to your computer.

Scams like this use names that you recognize – like Wal-Mart, Best Buy, other popular retailers, or even your bank. If you click on the link in the text message, you will be asked for personal information that could be used to steal your identity.

If you receive similar texts or emails, the BBB has this advice:

• Do not click on links in text messages or emails offering prizes or ‘free’ products or trial offers.

• Delete any texts or emails that claim you have won a prize or are eligible for a free product.

• Do not provide personal information to claim ‘prizes’ or to sign up for free trials.

• Never give your credit card number, social security number or bank account information to pay for fees, taxes, or shipping costs for anything that you may have ‘won’ or are getting for ‘free’.

• Check your bank statements and credit cards on a regular basis for unauthorized charges.

• Discuss smishing scams with all members of your family who have cell phones, from the youngest to the oldest.

• Check your and your children’s credit reports with all three credit bureaus annually for any unauthorized credit accounts that have been opened using your social security numbers. You can get a free credit report, three times per year, at www.annualcreditreport.com

For more information, go to www.bbb.org or call 1-800-388-2222.

Top

8 Tips for Using Check Cards
1- Keep receipts and note debits in checking register.

2- Check account balance frequently either online or through the bank to avoid overdraft.

3- Beware of bank overdraft policies and fees. Customers can decline the bank's "convenience" coverage for overdraft, which could cost high fees if they overdraw the accounts. Instead, sign up for overdraft protection that is covered by a savings account.

4- Most check cards now have "zero liability" protection that exceeds what the federal law call for, so security is a lesser issue. Still, consumers should check with their banks to see how debit transactions are processed. Only those going through the Discover, MasterCard, or Visa networks may be covered by zero liability.

5- PIN transactions are more secure than signature transactions, although most don't qualify for reward points.

6- If consumers pay off their credit card balances each month, they're better off using a credit card with rewards for purchases than a debit card or check card.

7- Find out what the bank's daily limit for usage is for your checking account.

8- If a cardholder's balance is low, it's best not to use debit for purchases such as gas, where a hold of at least $50 will be placed on the card.

Top