Security. Privacy. Safety.
Learn how you can recognize and protect yourself from fraud and scams.
Recognizing and avoiding scams
Whether it’s unauthorized charges, personal information exposure, or a sophisticated imposter scam, fraud threatens everyone. We invite you to explore this page to learn more about the different ways scammers are working to get your hard-earned money so you can recognize a scam and prevent it before it happens to you.
Please start by reading RCU’s Zero Liability Guarantee to understand our commitment to your security as well as your own role in protecting your finances.
How to Report Fraud
To report a scam, suspected fraud, or unauthorized transactions on your account or card, please contact us immediately using one of these methods:
- Use our contact form and a member of our fraud team will reach out to you
- Call us at (707) 545-4000 or 1 (800) 479-7928
- Visit your nearest RCU branch
Protect yourself from easy money scams
The best way to avoid becoming a victim of a scam is to understand how it works. This video shows how an offer of easy money quickly turns into check fraud. Watch how it goes down so you can recognize the red flags.
Protect yourself from fraud
Safer ways to pay
Tap-to-pay (contactless) is among the most secure ways to pay because it prevents fraudsters from accessing your real card information. Tap-to-pay uses tokenization—instead of transmitting your sensitive details, the payment system uses a one-time, encrypted “token” for each transaction. This approach is safer than swiping or inserting your card.
| Security risk | Traditional payment methods | Tap-to-pay and tokenization |
|---|---|---|
| Card skimming | Highly vulnerable to skimming devices that steal card data. | Virtually eliminates skimming, as no physical contact is needed. |
| Data breaches | Sensitive card information is often stored on merchant systems. | Only worthless tokens are stored on merchant systems. |
| Counterfeit cards | Fraudsters can create counterfeit cards from intercepted data. | Each transaction uses a unique, single-use token that cannot be copied. |
| Device theft | If a physical card is stolen, it can be used for purchases at merchants that do not require a PIN or additional identification. | Mobile wallets add security, requiring biometric or PIN authentication. |
Protect yourself from identity theft
Redwood Credit Union Members receive a discounted price on identity protection from RCU Insurance Services.
Types of fraud and scams
Wire Fraud
Has someone asked you to use a money transfer app to send them money? This is often wire fraud. Here’s how you can avoid it.
Check Fraud
When scammers get their bad checks exchanged for your good money, this is check fraud. Learn how to recognize the red flags.
Romance and Employment Scams
Don’t let scammers posing as employers or love interests take advantage of you. Here’s what to watch for.
Online and Mobile Banking Fraud
Scammers want to get your online banking login credentials and will try anything to get them from you. See how they’ll try to trick you.
Debit Card Fraud
Letting your debit or credit card info get into the wrong hands can be devastating. Here are tips on how to avoid it.
Featured articles
How to Report Fraud
To report a scam or suspected fraudulent or unauthorized online or mobile transactions on your account or card, please contact us immediately at
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*Insurance products are not deposits of Redwood Credit Union and are not protected by the NCUA. They are not an obligation of or guaranteed by Redwood Credit Union and may be subject to risk. Any insurance required as a condition of an extension of credit by Redwood Credit Union need not be purchased from Redwood Credit Union and may be purchased from an agent or an insurance company of the member’s choice. RCU Insurance Services is a wholly owned subsidiary of Redwood Credit Union. Business conducted with RCU Insurance Services is separate and distinct from any business conducted with Redwood Credit Union. License no. 0D91054. NPN no. 7612227.
Online Safety Tips
Scammers regularly use online marketplaces, social media, online ads, email, and text messages to reach unsuspecting victims. Read a few commonly asked questions and answers for tips on how to remain safe in a variety of online situations.
I received a text message from Redwood Credit Union. Is it legitimate?
What is the safest way to sell something online?
I clicked on a link in an email or text message. Should I be concerned?
How RCU Protects You
RCU uses the latest financial security technologies to keep Members safe. Learn how these programs and protocols work to protect your accounts from identity theft so you can feel safe using RCU’s mobile and online banking services.
RCU Security and Privacy Programs
What is Multi Factor Authentication, and how does it work in RCU Online Banking?
Getting Help
Most fraud cases are scams perpetrated by imposters who gain your trust and get you to willingly share your personal information or send them money—and then they disappear. If you suspect you may be a victim, here are some resources.
What should I do if I’ve given someone my credentials for online banking?
What should I do if I notice a transaction on my account that I did not authorize?
I think I am the victim of a scam. What should I do now?
Online and Mobile Banking Fraud
How can I keep my online banking account secure?
Card Cracking Scam Information
What should I do if I’m suspicious of e-mail bearing the Redwood Credit Union logo?
Avoid Holiday Online Fraud and Scams
What is ATM tampering and how can I protect myself?
How can I tell whether a website is legitimately owned by RCU?
How tokenization and tapping protect your data
Replaces sensitive data with a useless token
With tokenization, your actual account number is replaced with a unique digital token that is useless to a fraudster. This means that even if a criminal were to intercept the payment data, they would not get your real card number.
Uses a dynamic, single-use code for each transaction
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The chip in a contactless card or mobile wallet creates a unique, one-time-use encrypted code for every purchase. This prevents the use of copied information to create a counterfeit card.
Eliminates risks from card skimmers.
Because the transaction happens with a close-range radio frequency signal (Near-Field Communication or NFC), your card is never inserted or swiped. This completely bypasses physical card skimmers and internal terminal compromises that target the magnetic stripe or chip readers.
Prevents “electronic pickpocketing”
Fears of criminals intercepting your card signal from a distance are largely unfounded. The NFC technology requires your card to be within a few centimeters of the terminal, and the tokenization ensures that any intercepted data is worthless.
Keeps your real card number off merchant systems
The merchant’s point-of-sale system only handles and stores the meaningless token, not your actual card details. This greatly reduces the risk of fraud if that business experiences a data breach.
Requires authentication for higher-value transactions
Contactless payments have transaction limits, and larger purchases still require a PIN. This protects you from a thief maxing out your account with multiple fraudulent purchases if your physical card is stolen.
Adds layers of security with mobile wallets
When you tap to pay with a digital wallet like Apple Pay or Google Pay, you have additional safeguards like biometric authentication (fingerprint or face scan) or a passcode. Your phone must be unlocked and the app open for a transaction to occur, providing a barrier that a lost physical card does not have.
PPP Forgiveness Application Deadline
Congress passed The Economic Aid Act which changed the deferment period from 6 months post covered period to 10 months post covered period. For example, if your covered period ended June 30, 2021, under the new guidelines the earliest your first loan payment wouldn’t be due until April 2022, and you have until then to request forgiveness. Please use the following calculation to help you identify when your forgiveness will be due:
- PPP borrowers may select a covered period anywhere from 8 weeks to 24 weeks.
- RCU is automatically calculating your loan due date based on a 24-week covered period, if you intend on using a shorter covered period please inform us immediately as this will impact your due date.
- Your correct deadline will be reflected in your online banking account.
If all or part of your PPP loan is not forgiven, your first loan payment will be due the first of the following month after a decision is made by the SBA.
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