October is National Cybersecurity Awareness Month, a time dedicated to educating individuals and businesses about the importance of staying safe online. At Dover Federal Credit Union, protecting your financial information from cyber threats is a year-round priority, but this month presents a special opportunity to highlight our commitment to fraud prevention and cybersecurity.

Cybersecurity Awareness Month: What It Means for You

This annual initiative, spearheaded by the National Cybersecurity Alliance, aims to empower individuals with the knowledge and tools they need to protect their personal data online. In 2023, cybersecurity threats remained on the rise, from phishing scams to identity theft. With 84% of people viewing online safety as a priority, only a fraction—38%—took crucial steps like using unique passwords for every account.

For the entire month of October, Dover Federal Credit Union is focusing on the theme of “Secure Our World,” which encourages simple but effective cybersecurity practices. As we highlight this important initiative, we are also reinforcing the critical services we offer our members to ensure their financial safety.

Dover Federal Credit Union’s Commitment to Security

At Dover Federal Credit Union, we understand that financial security begins with fraud prevention. That’s why we offer our members services like Dover Federal Fraud Text Alerts, designed to keep your debit and credit card information safe from fraudsters.

How Dover Federal Fraud Text Alerts Work

Fraud Text Alerts provide real-time notifications about potentially fraudulent transactions on your Mastercard debit and credit cards. This free service sends a text directly to your mobile phone, enabling you to review suspicious activity instantly.

Here’s how it works:

• If fraud is suspected, you will receive a text alert with details about the transaction, including the merchant’s name and transaction amount.
• You can simply reply to confirm if the purchase is legitimate or not. If the transaction is fraudulent, your card will be blocked immediately, and a phone number will be sent for follow-up.
• If you do not respond to the text, your card will be restricted, and you'll be contacted by phone to verify the transaction.

This service ensures that you stay in control of your financial accounts and are always aware of suspicious activities. No personal information or account numbers are ever requested through the text, ensuring your data remains protected.

Understanding Common Cyber Threats

In today's digital world, it's critical to stay informed about the tactics scammers use to compromise your security. Some common types of fraud include:

Phishing Scams

Phishing involves fraudsters posing as legitimate entities to trick you into providing personal information or clicking on malicious links. Phishing attempts often come through email or text messages that seem to be from a trustworthy source, like a bank or government agency.

How to Spot Phishing Attempts:

• Check for grammar errors and suspicious email addresses.
• Avoid clicking on links or downloading attachments from unfamiliar sources.
• Dover Federal will never ask for your personal details or login credentials through an unsolicited message.

One-Time Passcode (OTP) Scams

In this type of scam, attackers gain access to your accounts by convincing you to share a one-time passcode sent to your mobile device. These codes are usually intended to protect your account, but scammers use them to bypass two-factor authentication.

Protect Yourself:

• Never share your OTP with anyone, even if the request seems legitimate.
• Always verify the source before responding to security prompts.

Tech Support Scams

Scammers often impersonate tech support professionals, claiming they need remote access to your computer to fix a supposed issue. Once they gain access, they can steal sensitive data or install malware.

Best Practices:

• Never allow remote access to your computer unless you're sure of the technician's identity.
• Hang up on unexpected tech support calls, especially those asking for immediate action.

Simple Steps to Protect Your Accounts

We want our members to be equipped with the best practices for online security. Here are four ways you can stay safe:

1. Use Strong Passwords and a Password Manager

A strong password is your first line of defense against cyberattacks. Use a password manager to store complex, unique passwords for each of your accounts.

2. Turn On Multifactor Authentication (MFA)

MFA adds an extra layer of security to your online accounts by requiring more than just a password. This could be a code sent to your phone or email. According to the National Cybersecurity Alliance, 79% of individuals familiar with MFA know how to use it, but far fewer consistently implement it.

3. Recognize and Report Phishing

Recognizing phishing attempts is crucial. If you receive a suspicious email or text that asks for personal information or urges you to click on a link, report it immediately. At Dover Federal Credit Union, we encourage our members to be vigilant and avoid responding to these scams.

4. Regularly Update Software

Outdated software can have security vulnerabilities that hackers exploit. Always install updates as soon as they become available to keep your systems secure.

Staying Informed: Dover Federal Credit Union’s Security Center

At Dover Federal Credit Union, we believe that awareness is the key to preventing fraud. Our Fraud Information Center is a valuable resource where members can stay informed about the latest fraud tactics, scams, and tips for protection.

Current Notices:

• Be wary of calls claiming to be from Microsoft or Dover Federal, especially those requesting access to your computer or account information. These calls are fraudulent.
• If you suspect you’ve fallen victim to a scam, contact us immediately at 888-818-3328.

Protecting Yourself During National Cybersecurity Awareness Month and Beyond

As part of National Cybersecurity Awareness Month, Dover Federal Credit Union is proud to join the nationwide effort to raise awareness about cyber threats and how to prevent them. By implementing basic cybersecurity practices like using strong passwords, enabling MFA, and staying informed about the latest fraud techniques, you can help safeguard your personal and financial data.

We are dedicated to helping our members feel safe, both online and offline. With services like Dover Federal Fraud Text Alerts and the resources available in our Fraud Information Center, we’re here to ensure your financial well-being is always protected.

For more information on how we protect your accounts and how you can stay secure, visit our Security Center or contact us with any questions. Together, we can Secure Our World and stay safe from cyber threats.

Dover Federal Credit Union

For 66 years, Dover Federal Credit Union has served as a member-owned financial cooperative, designed to provide access to equitable financial products and services that create stability and lead to establishing generational wealth.  Today we serve over 44,000 members, encompassing the military, Delaware families and Workplace Partners. Serving Camden, Dover, Middletown, Milford, Smyrna & the New Castle areas in branch & online.

FAQs

1. What should I do if I receive a Dover Federal Fraud Text Alert? If you receive a fraud alert, review the details provided and respond to confirm whether the transaction is legitimate. If it’s not, your card will be blocked, and you will be contacted for further steps.

2. How do I opt-out of Fraud Text Alerts? To opt-out, simply reply "STOP" to any fraud text message you receive.

3. Can Dover Federal Credit Union prevent all types of fraud? While we take every precaution to protect your accounts, it’s essential for members to stay informed and vigilant about cyber threats.

4. Will Dover Federal Credit Union ever ask for my account information through a text or phone call? No, Dover Federal will never ask for sensitive information like your account number or password via text, phone, or email.

5. How can I report a phishing email or scam to Dover Federal Credit Union? You can report phishing attempts by contacting us directly at 888-818-3328.

6. What should I do if I suspect I’ve been a victim of fraud? If you think you’ve been targeted by fraud, contact us immediately so we can take steps to secure your account.