Security Center

Contact Us

Report Identity Theft
LAPFCU 877-MY-LAPFCU (877-695-2732)
Identity Theft 911

Activation:
Debit Card Activation and PIN Change (Domestic): (866)762-0558
Debit Card Activation and PIN Change (International): (501)588-7531
VISA Credit Card Activation: 800-543-5073

Report lost or stolen credit, debit or ATM cards

Dispute/Fraud Claim:
Debit/ATM Dispute Resolution: 866-484-2254
VISA Credit Dispute Resolution: 800-854-1557

Lost/stolen:
Debit Card: 888-241-2510
VISA Credit Card: 800-325-3678

Protect Yourself Against Gift Card Scams

Billions of dollars are spent on gift cards during the holidays. As the gift-giving season approaches, it’s important to be wary of gift card scams. Follow these nine easy tips to protect yourself from any gift card scam.

Purchase a gift card directly from the store issuing the card or from a secure retailer’s website. Avoid online auction sites.
Buy a gift card kept behind the counter or in well-sealed packaging. Avoid cards placed in publicly displayed racks at retail stores.
Carefully inspect the gift card for tampering.
Always ask the store cashier to scan the gift card in front of you to ensure it is valid and reflects the balance you place on it.
Save the receipt. Some retailers will replace a stolen gift card with proof of purchase.
Register the gift card at the store’s website and change the security code if possible. Make sure to inform the recipient to avoid any issues with valid purchases made on the card.
Keep personal information including your Social Security number or birthdate to yourself when you buy a gift card.
Secure your personal computer to prevent hackers from gaining access to gift card numbers and PINs. Make sure you are using a current version of security software. Use strong passwords.
Be wary if someone asks you to purchase a gift card in order to make a payment for something or to pay back an overage for selling something.

For more information or if you think you’re a victim of a gift card scam, call us at 877-MY-LAPFCU or (877-695-2732).

Sources:
https://www.consumerreports.org/scams-fraud/gift-card-scam-thieves-can-drain-money-off-cards/
https://www.scambusters.org/giftcard.html

Credit Reporting Agency Websites

General Tips

Review your credit report and look for suspicious activity at least once a year at annualcreditreport.com.
If you have an LAPFCU loan, regularly check your credit score for free in PATROL Online Banking and in our free app.
Set up text alerts for your LAPFCU credit and debit cards.
Ten Online Safety Tips

Mobile Banking Safety

Connect Safely

Public connections aren’t very secure; someone can steal your data or listen in on your phone call. Disabling your device’s Wi-Fi and switching to a cellular network is a good solution. And of course, don’t store your Wi-Fi password or any other password on your mobile device.

Download Safely

Malicious apps can access your record every letter or number you enter into your phone and send that information to someone. This is called “keylogging.” Make sure you only download apps from reputable developers. Downloading approved anti-virus software can also help.

Travel Safely

If your device has digital locking mechanisms or password-protection, use them. Some devices require you to trace a pattern or insert a PIN. If your phone is lost or stolen, they provide you with a layer of protection against people trying to access your accounts. If you do lose your phone, contact LAPFCU immediately.

LAPFCU Account Safety

Account Alerts

Choose to receive text alerts – preset maximum transaction amount exceeded, credit limit exceeded, and preset maximum number of transactions exceeded – that can help notify you of any suspicious account activity. Learn more here.

To set up alerts:

Log in to PATROL Online Banking
Go to My Settings
Choose Alerts and Notifications

Keep Information Current

Provide LAPFCU with current contact information in the event that we need to get in touch with you quickly and to ensure you are receiving important notices about security issues and other important information related to your accounts.

To update your contact information, including address, telephone numbers, and email:

Log in to PATROL Online Banking
Go to Online Services
Choose Update Contact Information

Add a Password

LAPFCU provides members with the option to add a password to their accounts. We use this password to verify your identity when you call the credit union, thus providing you with an added measure of safety and convenience. To add, change, or delete an account password, simply complete and submit our Password Request Form in PATROL Online Banking.

To create a password:

Log in to PATROL Online Banking
Go to Online Services
Choose Online Request Forms
Select Telephone Password Request

Online and Offline Safety

Get Antivirus Software

Utilize anti-virus software, anti-spyware programs, and firewall protections and keep them updated. Reputable anti-virus, anti-spyware and firewall software products, include: Norton Antivirus, Trend MicroInternet Security, and McAfee Security.

Perform Updates

Keep your computer, your operating system (e.g. Windows), your browser, and your software up-to-date.

Use Secure Sites

Only provide information on secured sites – Look at the URL line in your browser, if it displays: “httpS” the “s” stands for secure. Do not input personal information in sites only showing “http.”

Use Strong Passwords

Use complex passwords longer than 8 characters that have a mix of numbers, upper and lower case letters, and special characters. Change your passwords at least every 3 months and use different passwords for each of your online accounts.

Stay Alert and Suspicious

Avoid websites that appear suspicious and do not download programs from the Internet unless you trust the company or person from which it originates.
If you notice changes in the way your computer is operating, for instance, if it suddenly slows down for more than a few seconds and this continues to happen, there may be something malicious running in the background. Turn your computer off and enlist the assistance of an expert for an examination.
Be suspicious of any email that has an urgent request for personal financial information. Email scams can be difficult to identify because the “from address” has been forged to make it appear as if it came from someone or somewhere other than the actual source. The message will often suggest there are issues with the recipient’s account that require immediate attention. A link will also be provided to a spoof website where the recipient will be asked to provide personal/account information or download malicious software. Do not use the links in an email, instant message, or chat to get to any web page if you suspect the message might not be authentic.

Text Alerts

TEXT ALERTS FOR YOUR LAPFCU CREDIT AND DEBIT CARDS

Receiving alerts via text message is one of the fastest ways to be notified of potential fraud or other banking activity. LAPFCU offers text banking options,* so you can immediately respond to alerts and block unauthorized purchases:

eZCard For Your Visa^® Card

To prevent unauthorized purchases or going over your credit limit, always be aware of your account status. Members can receive multiple notifications for their LAPFCU Visa credit cards, including:

New statement available
Credit posted to account
Single transaction exceeds X
Available credit drops below X
Credit limit is reached or exceeded
Current balance exceeds $
Current balance within $ of credit limit
Number of transactions exceeds X
Payment due in X days

Opt-in to free alerts at ezcardinfo.com, or log in to PATROL Online Banking and go to Online Services and select Visa EZCard Info.

If you would like to receive Visa purchase alerts for unauthorized transactions or when a decline is processed, please opt-in here.

^*Standard text message or data usage charges may apply. Check with your mobile service carrier for details.

PATROL Online Banking

Ten Online Safety Tips

At LAPFCU, our highest priority is protecting your personal information and privacy. But we can’t do it alone. We need your help! So check out these ten online safety tips. For more security help, be sure to visit our Security Center at lapfcu.org. Now, without further ado:

Create Strong Passwords
With seemingly rampant data breaches on the rise, creating complex, unique passwords is important. In the event that one password is stolen, using unique passwords can prevent someone from using one stolen password to access all of your accounts. Consider using a reputable password manager to keep track of different passwords.
Use a Firewall
A firewall prevents unauthorized access to your computers and devices, and often includes powerful security software. It also protects overlooked devices, such as smart thermostats and webcams. Often these devices have no security, and as such provide hackers with an entrée to your network.
Secure Your Network
While away from work or home, it’s tempting to connect to a publicly-accessible Wi-Fi network. But consider this: public Wi-Fi is often unsecured. When that’s the case, it’s much easier for hackers to gain access to your device and personal information.
Don’t Over-Share
Lock down your social media settings, and only share and communicate with people you know and trust. Only include the minimum required amount of information when filing out your profile. The less you share, the harder it is for someone to impersonate you.
Don’t Click!
Stick to trustworthy websites, and be wary of phishing scams, quizzes, spam, free offers, click bait – many of these things are simply subterfuge for stealing your information or gaining access to your system. If you see red flags or if something just doesn’t feel right, err on the side of caution.
Update Your Software and Operating System
Make it easy on yourself and turn on automatic software and operating system updates, and let your security software run automated scans. With your updates on autopilot, you won’t have to worry about whether or not you have the latest security patches.
Secure Your Mobile Devices
With mobile usage now outstripping desktop usage, it’s more important than ever to secure your mobile devices. There are unique risks in the form of links received via text messages, or malicious apps. Don’t respond to anything from anyone you don’t know, and only download apps from official app stores after reading reviews. Keep automatic updates turned on.
Check for HTTPS
If you’re completing a shopping transaction or submitting personal information through a form on a website, check the address in the browser bar. Make sure the address of the website you’re on starts with https:// and look for the adjacent secure icon, which is often a padlock. This indicates that the information you’re entering is encrypted and much harder to steal.
Back it up
Regularly backing up your files can protect you when something goes wrong, and these days there many easy-to-use, comprehensive, affordable backup solutions available that automate the process for you.
Visit the Security Center at lapfcu.org
Visiting the Security Center at lapfcu.org is a good way to get more information about staying safe online. Additionally, we’ll try to keep you informed about some of the latest scams to watch out for, such as ransomware. When this malicious software infects your machine, hackers threaten to lock you out of your files unless you pay a ransom. But you can avoid becoming a victim of scams like this by arming yourself with knowledge.

ID Enforcer (FraudScout)

Los Angeles Police Federal Credit Union is pleased to offer special member pricing on I.D. Enforcer, a Fraud and Credit Monitoring service powered by CyberScout™ which offers unique features tailored toward those in law enforcement families. Benefits include:

Proactive Fraud & Credit Monitoring Services—Receive email notices alerting you to potential fraud or identity theft

Annual Credit Scores & Reports—Depending on your plan, receive one or three credit scores and reports when you sign up

Included Monitoring—Change of address, social security trace, sex offender notifications, cyber monitoring (monitors chat rooms and websites and alerts you if your personally identifiable information is detected) and more

Below Market Pricing—Identity theft prevention of our members is so important, that LAPFCU is offering our programs at special, discounted member pricing

Choose from three value-packed bundles:

Select a Plan

Family Plans (2 people in household, 2nd person is half-off!)

Please note: Each member must register individually. Payment page reflects pricing per individual with Family Plan annual discount included:

Select a Plan

If you DO become a victim of Identity Theft, contact LAPFCU. Through CyberScout, we offer identity theft resolution services to all members for FREE.

*Limitations may apply. Reimburses victims whose identities have been stolen for lost wages, travel expenses, elder and/or child care and an initial legal consultation if required.

Leaving Our Website

By accessing the noted link you will be leaving the Los Angeles Police Federal Credit Union website and entering a website hosted by another party. Los Angeles Police Federal Credit Union has not approved this as a reliable partner site. Please be advised that you will no longer be subject to, or under the protection of, the privacy and security policies of the Los Angeles Police Federal Credit Union website. We encourage you to read and evaluate the privacy and security policies of the site you are entering, which may be different than those of Los Angeles Police Federal Credit Union.

Security Center

We’re looking out for you

Latest Security News

Contact Information

Other Security Resources

Identity Theft Prevention and Credit Fraud Monitoring Service

Credit Reporting Agency Websites

General Tips

Mobile Banking Safety

LAPFCU Account Safety

Online and Offline Safety

Contact Us

Report lost or stolen credit, debit or ATM cards

Protect Yourself Against Gift Card Scams

Sources:
https://www.consumerreports.org/scams-fraud/gift-card-scam-thieves-can-drain-money-off-cards/
https://www.scambusters.org/giftcard.html

Credit Reporting Agency Websites

General Tips

Mobile Banking Safety

LAPFCU Account Safety

Online and Offline Safety

Text Alerts

TEXT ALERTS FOR YOUR LAPFCU CREDIT AND DEBIT CARDS

PATROL Online Banking

Ten Online Safety Tips

ID Enforcer (FraudScout)