Security & Fraud Center
Account security is a top priority. Whether you’re using a debit card, opening an account, or just moving money, you want to be sure your banking transactions are safe and secure. We urge members to be proactive and keep up on the latest industry events in order to help protect your accounts and information from fraudsters.
Report Fraud
Learn what steps to take if you're a victim of financial fraud, or suspect you might be.
Prevention Tips and Tools
Learn about how Heartland keeps your personal information and money safe.
Learn how to protect yourself against the latest scams.
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No one working for Heartland Credit Union will ever ask you to provide your online banking username or password. If you get a temporary PIN or passcode texted or emailed, never share this with anyone. These codes are only for you to enter during digital banking authentication. If anyone asks for this or your online banking username or password, they are trying to scam you. Stop contact with that person and contact us if you are worried your accounts may be compromised.
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No reputable person will ever send you money and then ask for some of it back, no matter the circumstance. If you have received money that you are not expecting, and then someone is asking for a portion of it back, you are being scammed. In most cases, the origin of the money itself is fraudulent and the scammers want you to take the loss.
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Reputable persons, lenders, government agencies, and financial institutions will not ask you to take cash out of your account and then deposit it into a Bitcoin ATM. This is an easy way for scammers to instantly turn your cash into a cryptocurrency deposit for themselves. Once this cash leaves your account, you have little recourse in retrieving your funds.
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This is a common trick used by scammers to make you act quickly to move funds to another account or service. Scammers will make the situation seem very urgent in hopes that you act too quick to stop and think.
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If you are asked to purchase gift cards and then transmit the codes to someone you don’t know, you are likely being scammed.
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Many imposter scams begin with a “long lost” friend reconnecting via social media or other online platform. You may recognize the person’s name as an old colleague or friend from school who is interested in reconnecting. The scam unfolds when they claim they need help financially or have an investment opportunity. In most cases, a scammer has hacked or taken over a real person’s social media profile or created a whole new ‘fake’ persona to trick you.
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Scammers often pretend to be a new employer offering you a great new job opportunity. They say they will send you funds in order for you to buy new equipment necessary for your role. However, they often then ask for a portion of the funds back or for you to divulge sensitive personal information. The funds they initially gave you are probably fraudulent to begin with which leaves you stuck with the loss.
Take action if you suspect your identity or account is compromised
If you notice suspicious activity on your Heartland accounts, credit card, or debit card contact us immediately. More fraud reporting information can be located below.
If you are a victim of identity theft
- Contact Heartland Credit Union
- Alert the credit bureaus
- Equifax: 1-800-349-9960
- Experian: 1-888-397-3742
- TransUnion: 1-888-909-8872
- Report identity theft to the Federal Trade Commission (FTC)
- Complete the FTC fraud report form or call 1-877-438-4338
- File a report with your local police department
- Provide local police with a copy of your FTC report and any other information you have of the theft
- Freeze your credit
- Consider placing a freeze on your credit profile. A credit freeze will make it harder for a scammer to obtain new accounts/loans in your name. However, remember that you will need to lift the freeze should you want to apply for a loan yourself in the future. Each of the major credit bureaus offer ways to place and lift freezes online.
- Get a copy of your credit report
- Consumers are entitled to a free credit report annually
- Visit Annual Credit Report or call 1-877-322-8228
- For more detailed information please visit identitytheft.gov
Tips and Tools to Keep You Safe
Heartland Credit Union offers valuable resources to help keep your account secure.
eAlerts
Receive emails, text messages, and/or push notifications for balances or account activity. To setup, log in and click Tools>eAlerts to set alert preferences. To receive text message alerts, go to Tools>Settings>Contact to confirm your mobile phone number.
Mandatory 2FA on Login
Go to Tools>Settings>Security to require two-factor authentication for each login. This will require verification of a code any time someone logs into your account. Enabled Biometrics on mobile app is a form of two-factor authentication.
Card Controls via Card Suite Lite
Download the Card Suite Lite app to manage your cards and set up security features such as freezing lost or stolen cards to prevent fraudulent purchases and theft.
Learn More
Biometrics
Use your smart phone's built in biometrics such as face ID and fingerprint recognition when logging into your Heartland account. To enable go to Settings>Biometrics on your Heartland mobile app.
Link cards to your Digital Wallet
With no physical cards, you are not at risk of having information stolen by card skimmers. Your device's biometric fingerprint or face recognition provides an even safer experience.
Digital Wallets
eStatements
Receive secure statements through Online Banking instantly. No shredding needed! To enroll, log in, click the eDocuments tab, then select Subscribe.
Digital Banking Security
Digital banking is a convenient way to access or transact against your account. It is your responsibility to take the appropriate precautions to protect your own data, including information that can be used to access or transact against your account. We’ve listed some tips below:
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Maintain active, up-to-date antivirus, anti-spyware and firewall protection on your PC and mobile devices.
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Install operating system and software updates (i.e. “patches”, “service packs”) as soon as possible.
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Ensure your internet browsers are always up-to-date and clear browsing history/cookies regularly.
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Do not use public WIFI to access your online banking or other secure financial data.
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Use strong passwords
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Do not use real words or names
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Use a variety of numbers, letters, symbols,etc.
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Never share your passwords with ANYONE
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Do not write your passwords on paper that can be easily lost/viewed
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Monitor accounts and credit reports
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Set up account alerts and notifications
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Review accounts regularly for mistakes
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View your free annual credit report
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Report lost or stolen cards immediately
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Don't carry sensitive information on your persons
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Do not carry a piece of paper with your debit card PIN
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Do not carry Social Security Cards in wallets or purses
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Avoid phishing attempts, spyware, and social engineering
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Do not open, respond, or click links within emails from unknown sources
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Be suspicious or texts and emails from financial institutions asking for your personal or secure information
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Heartland Credit Union will not text or email you and ask for personal information
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For more information about digital banking security, refer to the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) website
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