Fraud Prevention
At Bay Atlantic Federal Credit Union, our top priority is the financial well-being of our members. Our Fraud Prevention page is here to help you keep track of recent and recurring financial scams. We encourage you to check back regularly for updates! You can also sign up for our email list to receive notifications of recent scams.
​If you notice any suspicious activity on your account or are concerned that you may have fallen victim to a financial scam, never hesitate to contact the credit union for assistance.
Call 856-696-2525 or 877-590-8866 (toll free) and speak with a credit union representative as soon as possible!
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Reminder: Never send private or sensitive information through email to anyone, even if they are a trusted individual, business, or organization. Emails are unsecured and can leave you vulnerable to identity theft.
Current Fraud Trends
Our top priority is your financial security. To help protect your account, we monitor your ATM and debit card transactions for potentially fraudulent activity. When a transactions is flagged, your card is temporarily frozen and you will receive an automated Fraud Detection alert.
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As of November 2024, we are now utilizing text alerts
Fraud Detection text alerts operate with the following procedure:
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A cardholder's transaction is flagged for suspicious activity, denied, and an internal case is created.
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If there is a text enabled number on the member's account, the member will receive a text message to verify the transaction within 30 seconds of the denial.
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The verification text will include the date and time of the attempted transaction, the source of the charge, and the amount. Members will respond either YES or NO to verify.
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If the response is YES, the cardholder will receive a second text message prompting them to attempt the transaction again.
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If the response is NO, the cardholder will be prompted to contact the listed call center and a restriction will be placed on the affected card.
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If the cardholder does not respond to the text message within 15 minutes, a voice call will be attempted at the listed phone number(s) on file.
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If the cardholder does not respond to the text, answer the call, or return the call after a voicemail is left, the restriction will stay on the affected card. The cardholder will need to contact the credit union directly to review their transactions and have their card reopened.
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Note: The system would skip the text alert entirely if there is no text-enabled phone number on the member's account.
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What happens on a Fraud Detection call?
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You will receive an automated call from the Fraud Detection hotline
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You will be asked to verify your three most recent transactions
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If any of the transactions are fraudulent, the temporary freeze will be kept on your account. You will be directed to contact the credit union during business hours so we may issue a new card.
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If all three transactions are legitimate, the temporary freeze will be lifted from your account and you may continue using your card normally
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If you miss the Fraud Detection call, the automated system will leave a voicemail with a reference and call back number.
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Why are transactions flagged?
Sudden Change in Location: A transaction originating from outside of your general area can be an indication of a stolen card or identity fraud, including online purchases from a company based in another state or country
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Sudden String of Costly Purchases: Large transactions, especially several in a row, can be a sign of fraud. Criminals often try to run through purchases and withdrawals quickly before their activity is detected. This is why our system responds quickly.
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Patterns Matching Fraud Trends: Our system utilizes fraud trends and data from around the world to identify suspicious patterns. Because of this algorithm, common transactions may sometimes be flagged. Rest assured, this is done for your protection.
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My card is frozen but I never received the Fraud Detection call.
Our automated system calls the primary phone number we have on file for your account. In the event the number s incorrect or outdated, you will not receive the call. Additionally, if your voicemail is full or not set up, the automated system cannot leave a message with your case reference number.
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If this happens, or you do not complete the transaction verification for any reason, you will need to speak with a member service representative for assistance. They will be able to either remove the freeze or handle replacing your debit card.​
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For assistance, please visit our Main Office or call 856-696-2525 or toll-free 877-590-8866.