There are a lot of scams out there. Do you know what to look out for? Here’s some information for you with some recommendations on how to protect your online accounts and personal information. First, as a reminder, review our Electronic Funds Transfer Agreement to become familiar with the information and protections provided to your accounts.  

FirstLight Federal Credit Union will NEVER call, text or email you asking for any personal information, PIN number, answers to security questions, or the unique number on the back of your credit or debit card. Should you receive or have responded to a call, text, or email requesting this information, please call FirstLight IMMEDIATELY with the phone number or email from which it came and the content of the message. You can reach us at (915) 562-1172 in El Paso and (575) 526-4401 in Las Cruces. Or toll free at 1-800-351-1670.

To reduce the risk of your or your business’s online security being breached, we recommend the following:

• Use caution when receiving unsolicited calls, texts or emails including those coming from someone you know, if the content seems suspicious. When you receive any of these messages, don’t click on any links or download any attachments.
• Constantly monitor your online accounts for suspicious activity
• Change your password and PIN numbers periodically and make them complex enough that it would be difficult for someone to guess. Avoid using your date of birth, mother’s name, address, etc.
• Check back here at the FirstLight website for updated information on recent scams.
• If you have a commercial or business account, we recommend you do all of the above safeguarding measures, but also limit access and administrative rights to employees whenever possible.

“Phishing” occurs when someone tries to trick another into providing private information in order to use it fraudulently later. In today’s world, these attacks are common. Protect yourself by knowing the dangers of phishing and what you can do to prevent a information breach.

• Federal Trade Commission Safety Tips
• Avoid ID Theft
• FAQs on ID Theft
• FirstLight Privacy Disclosure
• FirstLight’s Privacy Notice
• How Your Credit Union is Looking Out for You

Our cell phone numbers are being used increasingly by information brokers as the window to personal information that’s kept by nearly all corporations, financial institutions, and, yes, social media networks. Make sure you protect yourself against mobile attacks.

• Protect Yourself From SMiShing Attacks
• You're Sharing Your Cell Phone Number Too Frequently

Remember that FirstLight will never call, text, or email you asking for any of your personal account information. If you have responded to any of these scam phone calls, text messages, or emails, please call FirstLight immediately.