Security Center

Report Fraud Contact Us


Stay in the know. Stay in control.

If you suspect fraud activity, please contact our Fraud Detection Services outlined below. 

MECU will never...

  • contact you by phone, email, or text message to ask for your account number, personal identification number (PIN), social security number or any personal information. When you call us directly, we will only ask you to provide this information to verify your identity.
  • tell you to withdraw money from an ATM to send somewhere else.
  • tell you to send money to us via CashApp, Zelle®, or any payment solution.

How do identity thieves operate?

Phishers pretend to be financial institutions or legitimate companies and send spam emails or pop-up messages to get you to reveal your personal information.
Scammers pretend to be legitimate businesses or government agencies when they contact financial institutions or other organizations to get your financial information.
Skimmers insert illegal electronic devices into ATMs or electronic payment terminals in order to steal debit and credit card numbers.
Quishing, also known as QR code phishing, involves tricking someone into scanning a QR code using a mobile phone. The QR code then takes the user to a fraudulent website that might download malware or ask for sensitive information.
Identity spoofing occurs when a scammer assumes the identity of another person/entity and uses that identity to commit fraud. Spoofers steal credentials from people or businesses through password attacks and credential capture processes.
Lawbreakers rummage through trash, looking for bills or other papers with personal and financial information.
People divert your billing statements to another location by completing a U.S. Postal Service change-of-address form.
Criminals steal wallets and purses; mail, including bank and credit card statements; pre-approved credit offers; and new checks or tax information. They also take personnel records or bribe employees who have access.
You might receive a call or text from an individual posing as a grandchild or dear one, urgently requesting financial assistance for an emergency. These scammers manipulate caller ID information to make the call seem like it's coming from a trusted contact. Furthermore, these fraudsters leverage artificial intelligence technology to replicate the voices of loved ones, aiming to deceive you into believing they are genuinely in need of help.
You get an email purportedly from a vendor, asking you to transfer funds to a different account. Although the email appears authentic, it may be a deceptive communication from a fraudster who has gained unauthorized access to your vendor's network.
A fraudulent individual instructs you to purchase a gift card, such as a Google Play™ or Apple® Gift Card, and provide them with the card's numbers from the back. Regardless of their claims, this is a scam. Legitimate businesses or government agencies will never ask you to use a gift card for payment. If you suspect you've fallen victim to such a scam, even if it occurred some time ago, it's crucial to report it to the respective gift card company.
If someone from MECU or another financial institution reaches out to you concerning alleged fraudulent activity on your account and requests a money transfer or payment redirection, exercise caution. If uncertain, end all communication with the potential scammer and contact the phone number provided on the back of your debit or credit card for verification.
Criminals can install stealth software on your computer that lets them steal your identity and do other damage. (Learn what spyware is, how to tell if it's on your computer, get rid of it, and avoid it altogether.) 
Criminals sometimes use malware – including viruses – to get into your computer, steal information, send spam, and commit fraud. (Learn the signs of malware and how to get rid of it.)

Where should you report fraud?

 
Domestic Calls
International Calls
MECU Visa® Debit Card or Credit Card
Lost/Stolen MECU Visa® Debit or Credit Card
Identity Theft and Other Fraud  
 

MECU's New Fraud Alert Number is 494-47.

Need a different number? Take a look at our MECU Visa Cardholder Reference Guide.

 

How to protect yourself against fraud

Research common threats to help yourself stay alert to potential threats.
Change your password frequently and use a combination of upper and lower case letters and numbers.
Regularly check on your accounts and confirm any charges that have been made. 
Report fraud as soon as it happens.


What number does MECU use to send SMS fraud alerts?

  • MECU SMS Fraud Alerts are free and will come from 494-47. Please save this number in your contacts with a name you will recognize for future alerts.
  • We recommend "MECU Fraud Alerts." The fraud alert messages sent from this number will also be labeled with MECU's name.


 


SMS Response Options

  • A "Yes" response confirms the purchase(s) and no further action is required.
  • A "No" response denies the purchase(s). Your card will be  blocked until you call Fraud Detection.
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Don’t become a victim of "reverse instant payments" scam


Cybercriminals are targeting victims by sending text messages with what appear to be credit union fraud alerts asking if the customer initiated an instant money transfer using digital payment applications (apps). Once the victim responds to the alert, the cybercriminal then calls from a number which appears to match the financial institution's legitimate 1-800 support number. Under the pretext of reversing the fake money transfer, victims are swindled into sending payment to bank accounts under the control of the cyber actors. The payment amount and financial institution name changes from victim to victim. If the customer replies "No," a follow-up message is sent.

 
The above is a scam SMS message made to imitate MECU Credit Union. Please, remain vigilant and do not fall victim to cybercriminals.


Remember, MECU SMS Fraud Alerts come from 494-47.

 


Technology is the favorite tool of many identity thieves

Nearly nine million Americans have their identity stolen each year. It pays to educate yourself on how these crimes occur so you can take steps to prevent them.
 

Keep these tips in mind:

  • MECU or any reputable financial institution will never request peer-to-peer payments to address fraud activity.
  • Refrain from sending money to individuals claiming your account is compromised or threatening service termination.
  • If uncertain, conclude the call and contact MECU through authentic channels using the numbers on the back of your debit or credit cards.
  • Avoid using search engines to reach the MECU website; instead, use chinaqinyu.com or the MECU Mobile app for account access.
  • Report any suspicious activity immediately.

Fraud FAQs

Recognizing and Reporting Phishing Emails: If you receive an email that contains a link and/or an attachment from someone you do not recognize think before you click or open the attachment. It could be an attempt to get sensitive information or install malware/virus. 
If you suspect a check has been lost or stolen, you first need to contact us. If the check hasn't already been cashed, then you can request that they put a stop payment on it. It's a formal request that the check not be paid out by the bank if it's deposited or presented to be cashed.
Recovering your identity after it's been stolen can be an overwhelming process, but we're here for you. Your first step is to visit IdentityTheft.gov. Here you will begin the process of reporting and developing a recovering plan.
If you notice activity on your account indicating a transaction made by someone other than you or an authorized user of that account, call us immediately at 800-231-5262.
MECU will never contact you by phone, email or text message to ask for personal information. We will only ask you to provide this information to verify your identity when you call us directly.


If you've fallen victim to identity theft, you're not alone

Recovering your identity after it's been stolen can be an overwhelming process, but we're here for you. Your first step is to call us at 800-231-5262. Here you will begin the process of reporting and developing a recovering plan.