To help protect you and your family from fraud we have put together some helpful tips to keep you informed of how to best protect yourself.

If it sounds too good to be true, then it most probably is!

Have you ever seen an advertisement or received an e-mail about a job which involves receiving money in your bank account and sending it overseas? If you have, beware as these are not legitimate jobs?

These are attempts to get a person to receive stolen funds using his or her bank account and then transfer those funds to criminals overseas.

Criminals send out millions of fraudulent job/employment emails to random email addresses in the hope of involving unsuspecting innocent persons in their criminal activity.

You should immediately delete any such emails.

Criminals also frequently advertise these bogus jobs on popular employment or job-seeking websites, or approach persons online in chartrooms with 'job offers'.

Depending on the circumstances, it is possible that people who agree to participate in these 'jobs' may be prosecuted.

If you have received money in your bank account, transferred or attempted to transfer money overseas in these circumstances, please contact Alliance One Credit Union immediately.

Stay Smart online! For more information visit http://www.staysmartonline.gov.au/

Card & PIN security

Your card and your Personal Identification Number (PIN) allow you to access your account electronically. It's important to protect the security of your card and PIN at all times.

·         When you receive your card, immediately sign the strip on the back

·         Don't let anyone else use your card

·         Protect your card from loss or theft.

When your card expires, destroy it by cutting it diagonally in half.

Protecting your PIN:

·         Don't let anyone else know your PIN - even work colleagues, family and friends

·         Don't let anyone else see your PIN when you enter it into an EFTPOS machine, ATM or other electronic terminal

·         Don't write or in any way indicate your PIN on your card, even if you try to disguise it

·         Try to memorise your PIN. If you must record your PIN, take care to disguise it

·         Don't choose a PIN that is easily identified with you (eg your birth date or phone number).Furthermore, you should not choose a PIN which has an easily retrieved combination (e.g 1111 or ABCD).

Reducing Credit Card fraud

You can minimise the possibility of your card being used fraudulently by taking a few simple precautions:

·         Regularly check your account balance - if you suspect that there are fraudulent transactions on your account, report them to us immediately

·         Buying over the Internet - deal only with reputable sites that use a high standard of encryption.

·         Keep an eye on your card - when paying for goods and services, particularly when overseas, try not to let your card out of sight

·         Don't reveal your credit card details - never give out your credit card details to anyone.

Other tips to protect your card

If your credit card is demagnetised, scratched or bent, it probably won't work. To protect your card:

·         Keep it away from magnetised objects, for example, your work security access pass or other credit cards

·         Store it in a place where it's not rubbing or scratching against another object - a separate compartment in your wallet is usually fine

·         Try not to bend your card

·         If you find that your card does not work, call us on 1800 814 766 to order a replacement card.

Notify us immediately if you become aware that:

·         Your card has been lost, stolen or used by someone else

·         Your PIN record has been lost, stolen or has become known to, or used by, someone else.

To report lost or stolen cards or divulged PINs call 1800 224 004, 24 hours a day, seven days a week.

Here are some helpful tools on a variety of topics that will help you protect yourself against fraud, scams and identity theft.  

Fraud Prevention Booklet - in this booklet, produced by the Credit Union Services Corporation, learn about the various forms of fraud and advice on safeguards. 
Preventing Identity Theft Kit - compiled by the National Crime Prevention Program, contains useful information to help you identify where you might be vulnerable and what to do to avoid becoming an identity theft victim. 
Taking Care of Spyware - developed by the Department of Communications, Information Technology and the Arts, this brochure provides information about how to identify spyware, remove it and prevent it. 
Spam & Scams - this ACCC brochure covers simple tips on avoiding spam and scams via email and mobile phone.

The Little Black Book of Scams - a consumer guide to scams, swindles, rorts and rip-offs.