Please select the information titles below to learn more.

• Keep Your Information Safe
  Always protect and never share your personal account information, including your ATM or Debit Card PINs, your online usernames and, most importantly, your passwords.
  
  You should protect your Online Banking login and password, and completely close out your browser when you are finished using Online Banking. This ensures that no other user can come behind you and access your information.
• Have you heard of Lottery scams?
  This trick involves receiving a letter, often from outside the US, containing information about winning a lottery. The letter will include instructions asking the addressee not to tell their financial institution about the source of the check. They indicate that is for “security reasons.”
  
  The sender asks the receiver to return a “fee” either by wire or certified funds as a “good faith” deposit against their winnings. Naturally, the winnings never pan out. Again, the fraud is based on counterfeited documents. 
Use caution if you receive any telephone calls soliciting for your information. A recent telephone scam described below has been occurring.
• Major Credit Card Phone Scam
  Cardholders have been receiving calls from fraudsters claiming to be from the Security and Fraud Department at Visa or MasterCard. The fraudster will ask you to verify your card and personal information. They will eventually ask you to give them the 3-digit security code on the back of your card to verify that you’re in possession of your card. This will provide them with all the information they need to conduct fraudulent transactions against your card. The victim will actually be required to say very little and will never be asked to give their card number.
If you receive any calls similar to this, DO NOT verify or provide any personal or card information of any kind. Simply tell them you will call Visa or MasterCard directly, and handle the matter yourself.
• Verifying legitimate calls
  To verify whether a call is legitimate, call your institution using phone numbers from your statement or account documentation. Do not call back a number provided over the phone or click on a link in an e-mail.
  
  

  • Make sure you initiate the contact and that the institution verifies your identity with questions only you would know.
  • If you have been a victim of a scam, file a complaint with local law enforcement and notify your institution immediately.
  • If you receive any fraudulent phone calls, report the incident directly to the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) at 1-877-382-4357.
• View a sample script the fraudsters are using
  Caller: This is (name), and I'm calling from the Security and Fraud Department at Visa. My badge number is 12345. Your card has been flagged for an unusual purchase pattern, and I'm calling to verify. This would be your (Visa/MasterCard) which was issued by (name of institution). Did you purchase an (description of item or service) for $XXX.XX from a (name or type of company) based in (location of company)?"

  Victim: When you say, "No," the caller continues with ...

  Caller: "Then we will be issuing a credit to your account. This is a company we have been watching, and the charges range from $XX.XX to $XXX.XX, just under the $500 purchase pattern that flags most cards. Before your next statement, the credit will be sent to (gives you your address), is that correct?"

  Victim: You say "Yes" and the caller continues...

  Caller: "I will be starting a fraud investigation. If you have any questions, you should call the 1-800 number listed on the back of your (Visa/MasterCard) and ask for Security. You will need to refer to this control number. The caller then gives you a 6-digit number and asks if they need to read it to you again."

  The caller then says, "I need you to verify you are in possession of your card." They will ask you to turn your card over and read the 3-digit security code. The caller then says, "That is correct; I just needed to verify that the card has not been lost or stolen, and that you have your card. Do you have any other questions?" Tricky, aren’t they?

  Victim: Once you say, "No," the caller says, "Don't hesitate to call back if you do," and hangs up.

• Description of Another Popular Scam
  Cardholders have received computer-generated calls claiming to be from their financial institution. The calls claim your accounts have been frozen and then direct you to call a toll-free number and leave your debit card information in order to reactivate any cards. The toll-free number includes a recorded message that asks you to key your account number, card expiration date, and PIN.

   

  Cardholder awareness is key in combating fraud. Should you receive any questionable calls, please DO NOT provide your personal information.

  • Make sure you initiate the contact, and the institution verifies your identity with questions only you would know.
  • To verify whether a call is legitimate, call Community First using phone numbers from your monthly statement or account documentation.
  • Do not call back a number provided over the phone or click on a link in an email.
  • Most communications will include something that will concern or excite the victim.
  • If you have been the victim of a scam, file a complaint at local law enforcement.
  • Notify Community First immediately by calling a Member Service Representative at 800.342.8416 or 904.354.8537
• In Summary
  Community First publishes this information in order to educate and warn you about the fraud that is prevalent in the consumer marketplace today. By sharing this information, we help each other.

  Remember, a credit card company never asks cardholders to disclose codes or provide any information verifying a physical possession of a card. Be smarter than the fraudsters.