Update: March 1, 2010
ATM withdrawal limits have returned to their normal daily amounts. The hold on California ATM withdrawals has also been lifted. Please call 775.333.4228 if you have any questions.
Update: February 19, 2010
Our Visa processing company has detected fraud on at least one of our member's debit cards in the state of Florida. They have placed a block on all card transactions out of Florida until further notice. Please check back to this site for additional updates.
Update: February 15, 2010
The credit union has been continuing to monitor member debit/ATM transactions. We are finding that the scammers are still trying to use member cards to withdraw funds from California ATMs; subsequently, we have extended the block on all California ATMs until further notice. If you need cash, we recommend that you use your card at a merchant point of sale machine and simply ask for "cash back". We are sorry for the inconvenience, but this is the best way to protect our members' funds from being fraudulently withdrawn. Please check back with this website for updates regularly.
Update: February 4, 2010
In an effort to bring more awareness to ATM card skimming fraud, President/CEO, Dennis Flannigan spoke to our local media. View the stories by clicking on the links below. Thank you to KTVN News Channel 2 and KRNV News Channel 4 for covering this story for our community.
- CHANNEL 4: click here
- CHANNEL 2: click here
Update: February 8, 2010
The Reno Police Department has issued a press release regarding the debit card skimming fraud in our area. Please click here to read it.
Update: January 26, 2010
Hopefully by now you have read the information/notice below that we submitted on January 8th. Since that time, we have noticed some new patterns by the fraudsters and wanted to update you on what we are doing to further protect our members. You will also see that we are providing some important tips for you as a consumer to protect yourself from this type of debit card fraud. Please call 775.333.4228 if you have further questions.
Further Actions by GBFCU: We are noticing the scammers have discovered all California ATM withdrawals have been blocked; consequently the scammers are starting to make more withdrawals at Nevada ATMs. So, what we are doing moving forward, is monitoring balance inquiries made at California ATMs; at which time see one has taken place on a member's account, we will change that member's daily ATM limit to $0 (that will allow the member to use the card at a point of sale machine, but will not allow any withdrawals from any ATM). We will then attempt to call that member and find out if they made the California ATM balance inquiry; if they verify that it was NOT them, we will block the card and reissue a new card with a new and unique number.
What Cosumers Can Do To Protect Themselves from ATM Card Skimming Fraud:
Study and share the Card Skimming Awareness Guide found by clicking here.
Monitor your account activity at least once a day using free Online Banking. Look for any unusual activity or transactions that you did not perform. If you do not have a login ID and password for our free Online Banking, please contact 775.333.4228.
Familiarize yourself with the look and feel of the ATM fascia on ATMs you use frequently. Particularly pay attention to all of the touch and action points. (e.g. keypad, customer card entry slot, lighting diffusers)Some examples of card skimming devices can be seen by clicking here.
Inspect the front of the ATM for unusual or non standard appearance. Scratches, marks, adhesive or tape residues could be indicators of tampering. The inspection should be part of your morning external check and afternoon closing procedure. Where possible, inspections should also be conducted during trading hours.
Inspect all areas of the fascia. Look at card reader entry slot & regions immediately above the consumer display and keyboard area for anything unusual.
Report any unusual appearance immediately the police and keep watch over any suspect device until the police arrive.
By being vigilant you can play a part in reducing the risk of a skim attack!
Date: January 8, 2010
Attention Loyal Members:
Several of our members and members of other area credit unions have recently reported cases of debit card fraud on their accounts. It is believed that the scammers have "skimmed" member debit cards at unknown merchant point of sale machines and ATMs. Skimming the card means that the scammers used a machine to capture all card information and use it to create duplicate, fraudulent cards. The scammers are using the fraudulent replica cards at ATMs and withdrawing various sums of cash from member accounts. We have seen cases of fraudulent withdrawals at a few Northern Nevada ATMs, but primarily they are being made at California ATMs.
In order to protect our members, we have taken the following immediate actions:
- ATM daily limits have been decreased from $510.00 to $260.00. Meaning, you will only be able to withdraw a total of $260.00 at an ATM on any given day. If you need additional funds, you will need to come into a branch lobby to withdraw from a teller (if you have funds available) or use a point of sale machine (with your PIN) and request cash back.
- All California ATM transactions will be suspended for at least four weeks. This means you will not be able to use your debit card at an ATM to withdraw cash until February 6, 2010. You will be able to use your debit card at a California point of sale (POS) machine in the state of California either as a credit or a debit (where you enter your PIN). In most cases that you use your debit card at a California POS machine as a "debit" (enter your PIN), you will be able to request cash back.
If you feel like you have been a victim of debit card fraud, please contact the credit union immediately at 775.333.4228 (toll-free at 1-800-545-4228) so that we can capture your card number to prevent the fraudsters from using it. Furthermore, we can order you a new card with a new number at no additional cost to you.1
If you are not sure you have been a victim of this type of fraud, but are concerned you might be, you may also call or come into the credit union and request we capture your existing card and order you a new card. There will be a replacement card fee of $5 charged to you and additional fees may be incurred if you request a rush on your new card or PIN.
It is of the utmost importance to us to protect our members from fraud. We are doing all that we can to determine where this fraud started and to inform our members every step along the way so that you too can do your part to protect your financial assets.
Please visit www.greatbasin.org for updates and additional information on this fraud case and many other tips on consumer security. You may also contact us at 775.333.4228 if you have any questions whatsoever.
Sincerely,
Card Services Department
Great Basin Federal Credit Union
EMAIL :: info@greatbasin.org
LOCAL :: 775.333.4228
TOLL-FREE :: 1.800.545.4228
1 Additional fees can be charged for rush orders on cards and/or PINs. Rush card fee is $25.00 and rush PIN fee is an additional $25. In the case of fraud, we will order a new card at no cost to the member. If no fraud has been committed on the account, but the member would like a new card, a $5 replacement card will be charged.
