Beyond the Basics Series: Prevent Fraud Like a Pro

At Front Royal Federal Credit Union, we work hard to keep your money safe. Basic tips like protecting your password and checking your accounts regularly are always important, but there are other steps you can take that can add even more security. 

Beyond the Basics is our new mini series on fraud prevention. Each post shares practical steps you can add to your routine to stay ahead of scammers and keep your accounts secure. 

Here are three recommendations that can help make it harder for fraudsters to access your accounts and information.

1. Use Geo Fencing

Fraud often starts with charges from places far from home. Geo fencing can stop those charges before they even begin.

What to do: In your financial institution’s app or online, you can set limits so your card only works in your home state or nearby areas. Open it up when you travel and close it again when you return. If you don’t see this option in the app or online, call your financial institution and request this.

2. Open a Separate Spending Account

Connecting every app and subscription to your main checking account puts your core funds at risk. A separate account helps limit that exposure.

What to do: Open a second account just for everyday spending. Keep a smaller balance there and refill it as needed. If an app or subscription gets compromised, only that account is affected, not the money you rely on for larger bills. Keep the balance minimal. 

3. Follow the Call-Back Rule

Scammers can make a message or phone call look and sound very real. They use urgency to push you into acting quickly.

The safeguard: If someone contacts you about your money, hang up. Call the number on the back of your card or on our official website. This one habit can stop nearly every phone or text scam.

Staying a Step Ahead

Fraudsters rely on people reacting fast. By slowing things down and adding these safeguards, you make their job much harder. Stay tuned for the next part of our Beyond the Basics series, where we’ll share more simple ways to protect your accounts and your peace of mind.

At Front Royal Federal Credit Union, we’re always here to help. If you ever have a concern about your account, call us at (540) 635-7133 or visit frontroyalfcu.org.

Posted by Amanda Thomas in Fraud and Scams.