Cybersecurity Education
SOCU is dedicated to protecting your information and access to financial services 24 hours a day. We offer several security features included in our online and mobile banking platforms to protect your account from fraudsters. These security features include strong TLS 1.3 encryption, multi-factor authentication, and identity verification.
All users are required to use MFA when signing into online and mobile banking platforms. You will be asked to send a security code your email, phone number, or mobile push. Mobile apps contain a feature which allows bio-metric fingerprint or face unlock features, members are strongly encouraged to utilize this feature.
Members can monitor activity on their online accounts by setting alerts on transactions and debit card activity. These features are found under Alerts in online and mobile banking.
🔗 Learn more Online Banking Security Tips
SOCU will only contact you from official credit union email addresses via socu.org or streatoronized.org and will never ask you to transmit your personal or account information through email. If you are unsure if SOCU is contacting you hangup and call us directly at 815-673-5577.
Common threats you may experience include phishing, social engineering, viruses, and online account compromises. These threats are explained below:
- 🐟 Phishing: A fraudulent attempt to obtain sensitive information by disguising as a trustworthy entity in electronic communications.
- 💻 Social Engineering: Manipulating individuals into divulging confidential information or performing actions that compromise security.
- 🦠 Viruses: Malicious software programs designed to infect computers, replicate themselves, and cause harm or steal data.
- 📞Online Account Compromises: Unauthorized access to and misuse of someone's online accounts, often leading to data theft or financial loss.
🔗 Learn more about Avoiding Social Engineering Attacks
SOCU's online banking platform is member-centric so as a general rule never provide your account login information to anyone. If you have a joint owner they must login to online banking using their own login.
SOCU may use enhanced authentication controls such as identity authentication, when applying for a loan or new account opening. When contacting you via phone SOCU may ask you for your member identification number or to verify other details about your account before proceeding.
The Electronic Fund Transfer Act offers protections to members who experience unauthorized EFTs. If you believe you have been a victim of fraud please contact us directly at 815-673-5577 as soon as fraud is expected.
Business users are highly encouraged to perform periodic risk assessments and review user rights and access levels for online banking to mitigate internal fraud.
🔗 Conduct your own Internet Banking Risk Assessment and Controls Evaluation
If you suspect suspicious activity on your online banking account, call 815-673-5577 as soon as possible