Industrial Credit Union - Home

Debit Card and ATM Card Security Tips

2011-04-12T14:00:00Z

Always keep your debit or ATM card in a safe and secure place. Treat it as you would cash or checks. Contact the Credit Union immediately at 1-360-734-2043 if your card is lost or stolen, or if you suspect unauthorized use.

Do not send your card number through email, as it is typically not secure.

Do not give out your card number over the phone unless you initiated the call.

Regularly review your account through Online Banking or your statements as soon as you receive them to verify transactions. Contact Industrial CU immediately if you identify any discrepancies.

If you have forgotten your PIN or would like to select a new one, please visit the nearest branch location.

Cancel and cut up unused credit and other cards.

If you receive a replacement card, destroy your old card.

When selecting a Personal Identification Number (PIN) don’t use any number or word that appears in your wallet (such as name, birth date, or phone number).

Shop with merchants you know and trust.

Make sure any internet purchase activity you engage in is secured with encryption to protect your account information. Look for “secure transaction” symbols like a lock symbol in the lower right-hand corner of your web browser window, or “https://…” in the address bar of the website. The “s” indicates “secured” and means the web page uses encryption.

Always log off from any website after a purchase transaction made with your credit or debit card. If you cannot log off, shut down your browser to prevent unauthorized access to your account information.

ATM Security Tips

The Basics:

Protect your PIN; memorize it and do not write it down on anything you carry with you, (especially on your ATM or debit card).

Do not allow others to use your cards (or know your PIN).

Take someone with you if you must make a transaction at night.

Trust your instincts whenever using an ATM; if you sense something is wrong, leave the area immediately.

Be sure to take your card and receipt with you at the end of your transaction.

Keep receipts and monitor transactions on your account (via Online Banking and/or your monthly statements.)

If you feel you may have compromised your card in any way, visit the nearest ICU location or call to cancel the card and order a new one.

Walk-up ATMs:

Have your ATM/debit card ready when you approach the ATM. Once you have completed a transaction, leave the ATM site (avoid publicly counting cash that you have withdrawn; count your money when you are safely away from the ATM area).

Stand directly in front to shield the display screen, keypads and transaction information from the view of others. In addition, consider using your hand as a shield when entering your PIN.

If someone is attempting to view your transaction, or help you with your transaction, hit cancel and leave.

Do not use an ATM if the lights are out or you see suspicious activity.

Drive-up ATMs:

Survey the ATM area and the physical ATM for anything suspicious.

Keep your car doors locked, other windows closed and engine running.

2010 Board of Director and Supervisory Committee Elections

2010-04-16T07:00:00Z

Beller, retiree and a board member since 1998, was re-elected to a four-year term. She also served as president of the St. Joseph Hospital Community Council and as patient representative on the hospital’s Medical Committee.

Ludtke, co-owner of Ludtke-Pacific Trucking, also was re-elected. He has served on Industrial Credit Union’s board since 1992.

Rohwer, an Industrial Credit Union member since 1976, is a manager at Bellingham Marine Industries and has more than 30 years of experience in accounting for private and public companies. She also serves on Industrial Credit Union’s Supervisory Committee.

Rowher is joined on the Supervisory Committee by Peter Thiesen, who was elected at the annual meeting. Thiesen has been a credit union member for more than 20 years and is president of Whatcom County United Way.

Industrial Credit Union also recognized the service of Hugh Locker, who retired as its longest-running board member. Locker began volunteering in 1988 as a Credit Committee member and had served on the board since 1990.

Falcon Fraud Manager - Your Debit Card Protector

2010-04-16T14:00:00Z

At Industrial Credit Union, safeguarding your account is an important part of our business. We are proud to provide unparalleled card security as part of your credit union membership.

The Falcon Fraud Manager is a 24/7 monitoring system designed to score and analyze your debit card patterns to determine fraudulent activity.

Experienced fraud analysts watch for any suspicious card activity and contact you immediately if they identify potential fraud on your card.

How Falcon Works

The service has information about fraud that has occurred for other cardholders.
The service learns your normal spending patterns.
Based on a combination of this information, the service evaluates your transactions. If a transaction is considered risky, a fraud specialist will contact you to verify that you authorized the transaction.
The call will come from a Card Member Security representative on behalf of Industrial Credit Union.
If you confirm the transaction is legitimate, there is no impact.
If you confirm that you did not authorize the transaction, that card is immediately blocked to prevent more fraudulent transactions.
If the fraud specialist cannot reach you, a message will be left and your card may be temporarily blocked until you return the call.
If you are unable to take the call when they contact you, it is very important that you contact Card Member Security at, 1-888-241-2440 (1-909-941-1034 outside of the US) and not your Credit Union.

How You Can Help

Protect your card and card information.
Regularly monitor your statements for any unauthorized activity.
If you are contacted by a fraud specialist, please return the call as soon as possible
Know that if the fraud specialist calls you, you will not be asked for any personal information.
If you return a call from Card Member Security, you will be asked to verify your identity.
Make certain that the phone number you have on file with your credit union is current so you can be easily contacted if any questionable activity is detected on your account.

Credit Union Card Concierge

We want you to use your debit card with convenience wherever you go, whether traveling on business or enjoying a vacation. To help ensure uninterrupted service during your time away from home, please provide us with your travel plans before you leave.

This enhances our ability of getting in contact with you in the event that any suspicious activity is detected on your account during your trip. By giving us your contact information, such as telephone numbers and travel destination(s) with start and end dates, you will obtain better service while you’re away.

Convenience and peace of mind when you are traveling – at no cost to you! This service is a complimentary part of credit union membership.

Anytime Branch Access

2010-04-16T07:00:00Z

While you’re traveling the country side, know that your account with Industrial Credit Union is with you every step of the way.

We have many different options for you to stay connected to your Credit Union and most importantly your finances when you are on the go. Here are some of the ways for you to stay connected.

Debit Cards

Your Industrial Credit Union Debit Card is the easy and secure way to pay when you shop. Simply swipe your card at any MasterCard merchant and your purchase is automatically debited from your checking account.

You can also use your Debit Card to access your money at over 28,000 no-fee ATM’s nationwide through our partnership with the CO-OP Network. To find the nearest no-fee ATM where you’re traveling check out our ATM Finder

OnLine Banking

OnLine Banking is the easy way for you to manage your account when you are away from home. With ICU OnLine you can: transfer funds between accounts, check account balances, view cleared checks, make loan payments, pay bills and much more.

PhoneLine

Our 24-hour automated teller lets you access your account from any phone, anywhere in the world. With PhoneLine, you can check account balances, transfer funds, make a loan payment, determine if checks have cleared and more – for free!

Shared Branching

Need to be on the road or away from home for an extended period of time?

Visit one of 3,500 affiliated credit union branches nationwide and you can conduct many of the same transactions you could at Industrial Credit Union. Some of the most common available services include: deposits and withdrawals, loan payments and loan advances, money orders and cashier checks.

For a complete listing of Shared Branching locations and hours, visit, our Shared Branching locator or call 1-888-CUSWIRL.

If you plan on doing some travel, most importantly remember to contact us before you travel. This will help ensure uninterrupted service with your Debit Card while you are away. Simply contact the Credit Union at 360-734-2043 to setup your Credit Union Card Concierge.

Grandparent Scam

2009-08-26T11:00:00Z

“Hi, Grandpa how are you?” “Hi, Jacob. I’m doing okay. How about you?” “I’m not doing so well Grandpa, I need your help but I don’t want my parents to find out.”

This phone call doesn’t seem that far-fetched, does it? Especially when the caller claims that he needs cash to fix a car, get out of jail, or leave a foreign country. He begs you to wire the money right away and to keep the request confidential. If this situation sounds suspicious to you, the Federal Trade Commission (FTC), the nation’s consumer protection agency, says you’re right.

Victims of this scam often don’t realize they’ve made a mistake until days later when they speak to their grandchild and he knows nothing about the phone call. By then, the grandparent’s wired money is long gone, but also irretrievable. Scammers usually pressure people to wire money because wiring money is the same as sending cash. The chances of recovery are slim to none.

The FTC says the number of complaints about this type of scam is on the rise. In some cases, the scammers know the names of family members and manage a deft impersonation. In others, they trick the grandparent into giving up a grandchild’s name. The callers often claim to be in Canada and ask that the money be wired there. Sometimes a third person gets in the act, pretending to be a police officer or bondsman to confirm the bogus story.

Grandparents and other caring individuals can learn how to avoid being taken in by a fake emergency. If you get a call from a family member asking you to wire money, for example, don’t panic — and do resist the urge to act immediately.

The FTC Says:

Try to verify the caller’s identity by asking personal questions that a stranger couldn’t answer. Resist the pressure to act immediately and don’t be afraid to use a phone number you know to be genuine to call back. If you don’t have the relative’s phone number, get in touch with the person’s parent, spouse, or another close family member to check out the story before you send any money, even if you’ve been told to keep the event a secret.

No matter how dramatic the story, don’t wire money. Don’t send a check or money order by overnight delivery or courier either. Con artists recommend these services so they can get your money before you realize you’ve been cheated.

Report possible fraud at <ahref> ftc.gov or call 1-877-FTC-HELP. The FTC works for the consumer to prevent fraudulent, deceptive, and unfair business practices in the marketplace and to provide information to help consumers spot, stop, and avoid them. For more information about this scam and other consumer issues visit the FTC online at www.ftc.gov.

Protect Yourself from Gift Card Scams

2009-08-26T04:00:00Z

Protect Yourself from Gift Card Scams

Gift cards have quickly become an easy and desirable gift to give and receive. They allow the purchaser to give a gift without guessing, and allow the recipient to purchase something they truly want. Be honest. Do you really know what your Aunt Edith wants for her birthday?

Increased popularity of gift cards has made them a popular target for fraud. Scammers find creative ways to drain a card’s balance without your knowledge, deceive buyers of available balances, and create counterfeit cards.

Here are a few helpful tips to protect you when purchasing or receiving a gift card

Resist the temptation to purchase gift cards from online auction sites. These sites are notorious for posting stolen, counterfeit or used gift cards. If it sounds too good to be true, it probably is.

Only buy gift cards directly from the store issuing the gift card or from the retailer’s secure website.

Inspect both the front and the back of the card. If the card appears to have been tampered with, put it back and find another card. The biggest red flag is finding the PIN number exposed. Most PINs are be protected with a scratch coating like a scratch lottery ticket.

Always keep your receipt as a proof of purchase as long as there is money stored on the gift card. Many retailers will be able to track where the gift card was purchased, if it has been activated and the card’s remaining balance will be. In some cases retailers may replace the card for you if you have your receipt and it appears there has been fraud on the card.

Most stores will allow you to register your card online at their websites. This will allow you to easily track purchases, determine the current balance and report fraud.

To take full advantage of your card check the terms or service and make sure there are no hidden fees or expiration dates. Some retailers will charge a monthly fee after a set amount of time to encourage you to use the card sooner.

Mortgage Options

2009-06-10T07:00:00Z

There are a number of mortgage options available today. Why not choose the low rate loan that provides you the flexibility of a short term with a low 5-year fixed rate? ICU’s goal is to provide its members with a loan that will lower your monthly payment without any hidden fees or fluctuations. Feel confident that your loan will stay local with a trusted credit union, born and raised in Whatcom County.

We know you’re busy so we want to make the loan process and quick and easy for you as possible. Our Member Service Representatives will provide you with the timely service you need. In five years, enjoy the option of rolling the loan into another low fixed rate loan.

Scholarship Winners Announced

2009-08-28T11:00:00Z

ICU would like to thank all those who submitted applications for our annual scholarship. As in years past the applicants were an outstanding group of students all worthy on being awarded.

The Scholarship Committee has chosen these 4 exceptional students:

High School

Tianna Schneider- Aspires to become a para-educator, Tianna plans to begin her education this all Whatcom Community College and go on to attend a university. While attending Meridian High School Tianna, was the President of the Red Cross Club and ran track and field.

Agbeko Petty- A graduate of Ferndale High School, Agbeko will attend the University of Washington this fall to study Business & Marketing. Agbeko was the ASB officer, newspaper sports editor and member of the honor society. After completing her schooling at UW she would like to work in product and brand management.

Adult

Karen Cooke – Will be attending Bellingham Technical College to earn her Administration Assistant degree. Karen hopes to use her degree to further enhance her knowledge of computers to make her a more valuable employee.

Kelly Alleen- Kelly is a graduate student at Northern Arizona University studying Applied Anthropology. After graduation Kelly hopes work in the community development field with an emphasis in community health.