NSW Fraud Squad detectives are warning members of the public to be mindful when using EFTPOS terminals following recent incidents of card skimming offences.

Card skimming is a method used by criminals to steal card and PIN information during an EFTPOS and/or ATM transaction. The person “skimming” the card can then use this information to program his own card, and withdraw funds from an account.

Skimming is an industry wide problem affecting all financial institutions throughout Australia and the world.

Skimming devices, when placed on EFTPOS and/or ATM machine are virtually undetectable, so to help members guard against having their card skimmed, we recommend you follow these simple steps:

How to protect yourself from card skimming?

• Always cover the keypad when entering your PIN
• Check your account regularly using Phone and Internet banking
• Review your Credit Union statements
• Following an EFTPOS transaction check store receipts for any irregularities – ie. store name, details and location should all match the store from which you made your purchase
• Check out the ATM before you use it – Look for anything that doesn’t appear to belong or looks out of place such as a fake speaker, cover over the ATM card slot or evidence of tampering such as glue residue, exposed wires or double sided tape remnants
• If you suspect there is something wrong with the ATM do not use it and, if at a branch, alert staff inside
• Be aware of anyone acting suspiciously near the ATM
• Be alert for anyone trying to observe you entering your PIN

What to do if you think your card has been skimmed?

If you believe your card has been skimmed, or if you have suspicions about an ATM due to it’s appearance please contact us immediately on 1300 426 728 or the card hotline (outside of business hours)
on 1800 224 004.

Some of the exciting new online services available include:

• Open a savings or term deposit account online
• Higher valuer transactions using token security
• Activation of Visa card/Redicard online
• Online redraw from Basic and Premium Home Loans
• Remove/alter BPay billers and EFT payees

You can even personalise the account summary screen and give your accounts nicknames.

What’s different?

If you are an existing registered user you will be able to access the new Internet Banking site using your current access code following the upgrade. You will however notice some changes to the login page.

After you enter your member number and access code, you will be required to enter text from the image displayed on the screen (this replaces the icons). And on your first visit to the new site, you will be asked to change your access code.

Your new access code must contain at least 8 characters using a combination of numbers and letters. It is important that you select an access code that would only be known to you, so please avoid simple sequences or information known to others such as your phone number or date of birth.

You will also notice changes to the summary page when you enter Internet Banking. the summary page now displays the latest transactions for your S1 account together with a list of all accounts you are authorised to operate.

If you would prefer another account for the display of latest transactions or wish to remove accounts displayed on the summary page simply use the “customise” option from the My Preference menu.

to make the whole transition as easy as possible for you, we have even moved your existing BPay billers across to the new Internet Banking site, as well as EFT payees loaded prior to 19 November 2009.

Information for Joint Members

From 9 December 2009, members will be able to access all of their accounts (including joint accounts) using their own member number.

If you are a joint member and have not previously registered for Internet Banking, please contact us on 1300 426 728 or complete an Internet Banking Registration form so we can get you started.

When members only use the Credit Union for transacting, it comes at a very high cost and limits our ability to provide the benefits that our supporting members want and deserve.

We believe members who value their membership and support the Credit Union should be rewarded… that is why we are expanding our product range, offering more attractive deposit rates as well as continuing to offer some of the best loan rates in the market, and of course fee-free* banking.

From 1 March 2010, those members who choose not to support the Credit Union by holding at least $1,000 in savings, investments and/or loans with us, will contribute by paying a monthly membership fee.

But of course, we do not want any member to have to pay the membership fee… and with our new products and special offers, there are lots more reasons why members would want to support the Credit Union with their valued banking business.

Here’s how it works:

Please note: Members under 21 years of age will be automatically exempted.

The contribution coming from all members guarantees that everyone will continue to enjoy transaction fee free* banking.

To work out whether you are meeting the supporting member value requirement of $1,000, simply combine the minimum monthly balance of all accounts held in your name (this includes joint accounts). Generally, if you have a term deposit or loan with the Credit Union, you will automatically avoid having to pay the $5 per month membership fee.

Remember, the monthly membership fee won’t be charged until the end of March 2010, so there is plenty of time to rearrange your finances and bring more business to us.

If you do have to pay the monthly fee, don’t forget it is a membership fee so it will only be charged once per member per month regardless of the number of accounts you have with us.

*Other special service fees, overseas ATM access fees and foreign transaction fees may apply.