Security Center

How We Protect You

We're committed to protecting your information.

Elevations Credit Union is dedicated to protecting your security and account information. We have installed the best of breed in security and intrusion software and firewalls to protect our members. We maintain physical, electronic and procedural safeguards that comply with federal regulations to guard your nonpublic personal information.

Website and online banking security

We have taken many precautions to ensure your personal banking information is secure when you bank online including, but not limited to:

Encryption – We use encryption to ensure our website and online banking platforms are authentic and protected.

Usernames and Passwords – Online Banking requires strong usernames and passwords to protect your account. We recommend you choose passwords that would be difficult for others to guess. View our Online Banking FAQs for more information on usernames and passwords.

Enhanced Multi-factor Authentication – Online Banking uses an extra layer of security that asks you to validate yourself by sending yourself a text, email or phone message to validate yourself when you login using an unfamiliar computer.

Secure Email – All email you send to Elevations from the website or from within Online Banking is sent securely to protect your sensitive personal information. If you send us a question from within Online Banking, our Member Service Representatives will respond securely within the "Messaging" section of Online Banking. As a standard, our Member Service Representatives do not send personal information via non-secure email.

Personal privacy

Trust is the foundation of our relationship with our members. Elevations Credit Union is committed to protecting the privacy of each member’s financial records consistent with federal and state laws. Read our privacy policy (PDF).

Elevations Credit Union email messaging

Elevations Credit Union will never ask you for any personal information including any account information or social security number via email. Email is a responsible way to deliver relevant product and service offers, regulatory information and rate updates, NOT to gather confidential member information.

Phishing and scams

Our security team has systems in place that allow us to monitor suspicious activity.

What is phishing?

Banks and credit unions are sometimes targeted for phishing scams through email, phone calls and text messages. Phish emails request the email recipient to link to a phony website and submit personal account information. Phish phone calls and text messages ask someone to give out their personal account information over the phone.

Definition of phishing (fish’ing) (n.) Also known as “Spoofing” – The act of sending an email, phone call or text message in an attempt to get the recipient to visit a fraudulent website or call center and enter sensitive personal information to fool the recipient by mimicking a legitimate business. Any information collected by the phisher is then used to steal the recipient’s money or identity.

How to Protect Yourself

Learn how you can protect yourself

Online fraud and scams are prevalent in every industry and are increasing at alarming rates. Stay informed on the latest scams and tricks so that they won’t catch you off guard.

Protecting your personal information is a shared responsibility. Please use the following precautions:

Your smart phone, tablet and mobile device

Protect your personal information.

Never give your Social Security Number, account number, passwords, PINs or other specific personal information to people who call or email you. We will never call or email you to ask you for this information. Only give financial information over the phone if you are the one who initiates the call to a published credit union phone number.

If your phone or tablet has password protection, we recommend you use it.

If your phone or tablet has password protection, we recommend you use it. Additionally, if you use a password protected website or app, such as Elevations Online Banking iPhone, iPad or Android app, we recommend NOT selecting the check box that asks if you would like the app or website to remember your username and password when you come back at a later date. If you should misplace your phone or tablet and the wrong person got their hands on it, they would have access to these online accounts, websites, contacts and more.

Update your username and password regularly.

We recommend that you update your usernames and passwords on a regular basis. Doing so will help to ensure that your account is as secure as possible. We recommend that you have a unique username and password for each website or app, and that you use a complex mix of characters (upper and lower case letters, numbers, and special characters such as !@#). Never write your usernames and passwords down on a piece of paper.

Update your mobile or tablet software regularly

Make sure you update your mobile phone’s software on a regular basis. These upgrades are full of security “patches” which plug the holes in the software that many malicious software programs utilize to get at your personal information. This is one of the simplest, yet critical operations you need to perform to protect yourself from a variety of malware. Security patches and operating system updates (on your personal computer) should be applied quickly when you are able to. Mobile and tablet operating systems will either provide you updates directly from the manufacturer and can be applied without waiting for any particular carrier. Some systems provide updates in conjunction with the mobile carrier. In these cases, the version of software your phone can run and the frequency that updates can be applied is dictated by the mobile carrier. In the event that your device falls into this category you will need to contact your carrier to address delays in the release of updates.

Don't install apps from an untrustworthy source.

It is important to ensure that any apps you download or install are from a safe and trusted source. Installing software from untrustworthy sources can lead to the infection of your device with virus and/or spyware.

Wait until checks clear your account to use the funds.

Make sure that checks you accept come from a trusted source. Funds you receive from a Craigslist or email promotion may be fraudulent, especially when it comes to employment opportunities or if there is a request to wire funds back to the sender.

Your computer and email

Update your username and password regularly.

Don’t send personal information via email.

Most email messages are not secure. Do not include financial information in email communications. If you are interested in emailing Elevations, we offer secure email forms. Additionally, you can log into your Online Banking and Bill Pay account and use the secure email provided in the upper right hand corner to submit your inquiry.

Don’t tell unknown people your personal information via email, phone or mail.

If you think you’ve clicked on a link in a phishing email, or receive a suspicious phone call or letter, this does not mean you have a virus or have compromised your personal information. However, if you have entered any sensitive personal information into the fraudulent website, you should contact us immediately.

Don’t install software from an untrustworthy source.

It’s important to ensure that any software you download or install is from a safe source. Installing software from untrustworthy sources can lead to the infection of your device with virus and/or spyware.

Make sure you have anti-virus / anti-malware software installed.

Ensure your computer is protected by always downloading the latest security fixes for your operating system. As well, make sure you’ve purchased firewall, virus and malware protection software. You can set these up to filter spam, alert you to potential viruses and Trojans, and scan your computer for up-to-date virus protection and deletion.

Update your browsers.

Always ensure you have the most recent Internet browser versions. Try using browsers that have more security enhancements.

Multifactor authentication

Multi-factor authentication options may include receiving a text message or a voice callback to validate your identity. While the text message may appear to be more convenient, it can be intercepted by a well-placed virus. For the highest level of security we recommend you consider using the voice callback option.

Disable auto complete / Don’t save passwords.

Many browsers offer to remember your username and/or password for various websites. We recommend that you avoid utilizing this feature especially for online banking. By using this feature you make it easier for a virus or malicious individual to access your account.

Your wallet

Memorize your PIN number

Never write your PIN on your debit card or credit card. Memorize your account number and account password so you do not need to carry this information with you.

Be selective when carrying private information

Do not carry items such as your social security card or account information in your wallet unless you are using them that day.

Your mailbox

Shred

Shred credit card & insurance offers or any documents that contain your personal information that you no longer need.

Review monthly statements

Review your monthly account statements thoroughly and report any unusual activity or items that you did not purchase to us. If you are enrolled in our online banking or credit card programs, check these often for up-to-date transaction information.

Please report any suspicious activity to: [email protected](opens in a new window).

Identity Theft

What is identity theft?

Identity theft happens when someone uses your personal information to get credit cards or other loans, open bank accounts, make counterfeit checks, get false identification or commit other crimes. There are many ways that identity thieves get your personal information:

They email you a letter asking you to go to their website to update your account information
They build software to pull personal information off of your computer
They steal wallets and mail
They go through your trash
They watch over your shoulder at an ATM
They “skim” your credit card using an illegal scanning device
They pose as a legitimate company and ask you for information (When this last technique is done using email, it is called “phishing”).

Have you been a victim of identity theft?

If you think that you have been a victim of identity theft or another fraudulent transaction, we recommend that you close out any financial accounts that may be compromised and monitor your financial information frequently.

Elevations contact information

If you have mistakenly given your Elevations Credit Union login, password or card information to a malicious party, contact us immediately at: (303) 443-4672 or (800) 429-7626. Report suspicious emails to: [email protected](opens in a new window)

Federal Trade Commission

If you have given out your social security number you may be at risk of identity theft. Act quickly to protect your identity by accessing the Federal Trade Commission website to find out what to do and how to complete an ID Theft Affidavit: Federal Trade Commission(opens in a new window).

Credit bureau

Alert one of the major credit bureaus immediately to set a freeze on your credit report. This way, no one will be able to open an account in your name without you verifying it first.

VISA Signature-based and/or PIN-based transactions that have been flagged for suspicious activity

Please contact the Card Member Security Line at (888) 241-2440 (if needed, call collect: (909) 941-1034) for any suspicious transactions.

We are here to help serve you. Call us: (303) 443-4672 or (800) 429-7626, visit a branch, or email us at [email protected](opens in a new window) if you are suspicious about any request for sensitive personal information appearing to come from Elevations Credit Union.

Vocabulary terms you should be familiar with

New words and phrases are continually popping up to describe new fraudulent activities that arise. We recommend that you keep up with the latest terms and learn how to protect yourself from being a victim.

Some of the current phrases and words include: phishing, "sensitive and personal information", hacker, pharming, identity theft, computer viruses, and skimming.

Know that we're here for you. You can contact us directly at (303) 443-4672 or (800) 429-7626 if you are suspicious about any request for sensitive personal information appearing to come from Elevations Credit Union. Please report any suspicious emails or security questions to [email protected](opens in a new window).