Fraud & Security - Texas DPS Credit Union

Protecting Your Accounts
Is Our Top Priority

Fraud is constantly evolving, and today’s scams can be more convincing than ever. Artificial intelligence (AI) is changing the way we work, communicate, and manage our daily lives. This has created new opportunities for scammers to impersonate people and organizations we trust through realistic emails, text messages, phone calls, voices, images, and videos.

We use multiple layers of security to help keep your personal and financial information safe. We’re also here to help you recognize the warning signs, understand today’s scams, and feel more confident protecting yourself and your money.

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Scams
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Helpful Tips
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Online & Mobile Banking
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Compromised Info
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Related Content
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Know How to Recognize and Avoid Scams

Imposter Scam

Scammers will contact you pretending to be your financial institution, a government agency such as the IRS or Medicare, a charitable organization or even someone you know. Their goal is to trick you into sending money or providing personal or account information. These scams can be very sophisticated and seem quite real.

Tip for spotting this scam:Watch out for anyone reaching out unexpectedly to ask for personal or account information, verification codes or payment through gift cards, wire transfers or person-to-person payments. If you’re unsure, end the conversation and contact the person or organization directly using contact information you know and trust.

AI & Deepfake Scam

Artificial intelligence can help scammers create realistic emails, text messages, images, videos and even cloned voices. They may use this technology to impersonate a family member, friend, coworker, company representative or other trusted person to convince you to send money or share sensitive information. These scams can be especially convincing because AI-generated messages may look professional and voices or videos may appear to be real.

Tip for spotting this scam:Don’t rely on a familiar voice, image or video alone to confirm someone’s identity. If you receive an unexpected request for money or personal information, especially one that feels urgent, contact the person directly using a phone number or communication method you already know.

Phishing Scam

Phishing scams are official-looking emails, text messages, social media messages or websites meant to trick you into giving away personal or financial information. Because these messages may appear to come from your financial institution or another company you know, they can be very effective in convincing you to click a link, open an attachment or provide information. Today’s phishing scams may also use AI to create polished, personalized messages without the spelling mistakes or grammatical errors traditionally associated with phishing.

Tip for spotting this scam:Look closely at the sender and be cautious of unexpected requests to click a link, download a file, sign in to an account or provide sensitive information. Avoid clicking links when you’re unsure of the sender. Instead, visit the company’s official website or app directly.

Fake Fraud Alert & “Move Your Money” Scam

This scam often begins with a text, email or phone call that looks like a legitimate fraud alert from your financial institution. If you respond, a scammer may offer to help stop the alleged fraud and tell you to transfer money, send money to yourself or move your funds to another account to keep them “safe’’. Because the initial message and incoming call may seem legitimate, these scams can be very convincing.

Tip for spotting this scam:Your financial institution will never ask you to move money to another account, send money to yourself or someone else, or purchase gift cards or cryptocurrency to protect your funds. If you receive a suspicious fraud alert, stop and contact your financial institution directly using a trusted phone number.

Verification Code Scam

One-time verification codes are designed to help protect your accounts, but scammers may try to use them to gain access. A scammer may contact you pretending to be your financial institution or another trusted company and ask you to provide a code sent to your phone or email to “verify” your identity or stop suspicious activity. In reality, the scammer may be attempting to access your account and needs the code to complete the login.

Tip for spotting this scam:Never share a one-time verification code, multi-factor authentication code, password or PIN with someone who contacts you. Only enter a verification code yourself when you initiated the login or transaction.

Urgency & Voice Cloning Scam

Scammers may contact you pretending to be a child, grandchild, friend or other loved one who needs money because of an emergency. With AI voice-cloning technology, scammers can use short audio clips to create a voice that sounds remarkably similar to someone you know. They may claim they have been arrested, injured, stranded or involved in an accident and pressure you to send money before you have time to verify what happened.

Tip for spotting this scam:If someone you know unexpectedly asks for money because of an emergency, pause before taking action. Contact that person directly using a number you already have or check with another family member to verify the situation.

Social Media & Investment Scam

Scammers may use social media advertisements, direct messages, fake or hacked accounts and professional-looking websites to promote fraudulent investments, giveaways, jobs or other opportunities. AI-generated images, videos and testimonials can make these offers appear even more credible. Investment scams often promise unusually high or guaranteed returns and pressure you to act quickly before the “opportunity” disappears.

Tip for spotting this scam:Be cautious of unsolicited investment opportunities, guaranteed returns or requests to send money through cryptocurrency or other difficult-to-reverse payment methods. Research the person or company independently before sending money or providing financial information.

Support Specialist Scam

Scammers pretending to be technology or support specialists from a known company may try to steal your sensitive information by gaining access to your account or device. They may claim your computer, phone or account has a problem and ask you to download an app, share your screen or provide remote access so they can “fix” the issue.

Tip for spotting this scam:Support specialists from legitimate companies generally do not unexpectedly contact you and ask you to download software or provide remote access to your device. If you need assistance, contact the company directly using information from its official website.

Tap to Pay & Contactless Payment Scam

Scammers may try to take advantage of contactless payment features by convincing you to tap your debit or credit card, phone or digital wallet on a payment device. They may claim the tap is needed to verify your identity, process a refund, correct a payment issue or complete another transaction. A tap can authorize a real transaction, so you should always know who you are paying and what amount you are approving before using a contactless payment method.

Tip for spotting this scam:Never tap your card, phone or digital wallet on someone else’s device because they tell you it is needed to verify your account, receive a refund or fix a problem. Before tapping, confirm the merchant and transaction amount displayed on the payment terminal. If something doesn’t look right, don’t complete the transaction.

Helpful Tips to Keep Your Information Safe

Simple steps can help protect your accounts and personal information.

Choose Strong, Unique Passwords

Use strong, unique passwords for each account and avoid reusing them. Consider using a reputable password manager to securely store your passwords.

Avoid Public Wi-Fi for Banking

Avoid public Wi-Fi or shared computers when accessing Online Banking or accounts containing sensitive information. Use a trusted connection whenever possible.

Never Give Out Personal Information

Never provide sensitive information by phone, email, text or social media unless you're certain who you're communicating with.

Protect Your Devices From Attack

Use a strong passcode or biometric security and keep your device, browser, apps and security software up to date.

Use Multi-Factor Authentication (MFA)

Add an extra layer of protection with MFA, and never share a one-time verification or authentication code.

Sign Up for Alerts

Set up account and transaction alerts so you can quickly identify purchases, withdrawals or other suspicious activity.

Think Before You Click

Avoid unexpected links, QR codes or attachments. If you're unsure about a message, visit the organization's official website or app directly.

Be Careful What You Share Online

Review your privacy settings and be mindful of personal information you make public on social media.

Pay Attention When Making Payments

Confirm the merchant and purchase amount before completing a payment, and don't let anyone pressure you into paying.

Only Download the Official Banking App

Download our Mobile Banking App from our website or your device's official app store—not from unexpected links or advertisements.

How Our Online & Mobile Banking Help Keep Your Money & Information Secure

Take control of your cards with convenient security tools available through Online & Mobile Banking.

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Set card limits

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Monitor card activity

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Manage travel plans

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Lock or unlock your card

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Manage card controls

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And much more!

Set up account and transaction alerts to help you stay informed and quickly identify activity you don’t recognize.

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Purchase alerts

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Withdrawal alerts

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Transfer alerts

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Account activity alerts

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Spot unusual activity

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Stay informed quickly

Multi-factor authentication adds another layer of protection when accessing Online or Mobile Banking by requiring an additional verification step.

Remember: Never share an MFA or verification code with someone who contacts you.

Mobile wallets offer a convenient way to pay while using security features built into your device. Protect your phone or smartwatch with a secure passcode, fingerprint or facial recognition.

Bill Pay provides you with the security and convenience of managing and paying bills without worrying about checks getting lost, sorting through mounds of paper, or buying stamps. Pay all your bills from one place. Through Bill Pay, you can set up AutoPay to manage and set up recurring bills and eBill payments with the peace of mind of knowing that your bills are paid securely and on time every month. Change or cancel recurring payments anytime.

Manage all your bills without third-party apps or trips to the mailbox. Receive your electronic statements through your online banking account or mobile banking app. With eBill, it is safe and easy to manage and pay your bills from one place.

Compromised Information

Online Banking Credentials

Make sure to change your password immediately, and if you’ve used that password on other platforms, be sure to reset those account passwords as well. If the compromised account had payment information stored on it, review your transaction history to ensure no one has made purchases on your account.

Verification Code or Login Information

If you shared a verification code, password or other Online Banking information with someone, contact us immediately. Don’t wait until you notice an unauthorized transaction.

Phone or Device

If you gave someone remote access to your phone or computer, disconnect the device from the internet, remove any remote-access software you were instructed to install and secure your important accounts from a trusted device.

Card Number

Card fraud is one of the most common forms of fraud and identity theft. If a transaction is posted to your account that you didn’t authorize or you think you’re a victim of identity theft, be sure to turn your card off immediately through our Mobile Banking App and contact us immediately at (512) 452-5211. Once your new card is issued, make sure to update auto pay and payment information stored elsewhere.

Bank Account Information

Contact your financial institution immediately to close your account and get a new one opened for you. Make sure to review your transactions regularly to ensure no one is making purchases on your account. Once your new account information is provided and a new card is issued, make sure to update auto pay and payment information stored elsewhere.

Suspicious Activity

If you have any questions or wish to report anything suspicious, contact us at 1-877-252-9199. Make sure you have our Mobile Banking App also so you can turn your card off.