Saftey & Security
At White Sands Credit Union, protecting your money and personal information is our top priority.
Fraudsters use the latest technology to target innocent consumers through emails, text messages, phone calls, fake websites, and even fraudulent checks or ATMs.
Knowing the latest trends can help you stay protected.
Attention Members!
White Sands Federal Credit Union will NEVER contact you directly to request any of the following information:
Social Security Number
Debit Card Numbers
Security Code (CVV)
PIN (Personal Identification Number)
Online Banking Login Information
Verification Codes
Passwords
If someone contacts you by phone, text, or email asking for this information, do not share any details.
To report suspicious activity, please contact our Call Center at (575) 647-4500.
Email Security
At White Sands Federal Credit Union, your privacy comes first.
We will never ask you to share personal or account information through a regular email — and we’ll never send sensitive information to you this way either.
To keep your information secure, we use a Secure Message Center for all confidential communication.
Here’s how it works:
Go to our Contact Us page and click the WSFCU Secure Message Center link.
Log in with your email address. (First-time users will create a password.)
Once logged in, you can send us an encrypted message directly.
When we reply, you’ll receive an email notification letting you know a secure message is waiting for you in the portal.
For your security, the Secure Message Center will automatically sign you out after 10 minutes of inactivity.
If you ever receive a suspicious email claiming to be from WSFCU, do not reply or click any links. Contact us directly to verify.
Social Media Security
Scammers often use fake profiles or hacked accounts to trick people into sharing personal information or sending money. At White Sands Federal Credit Union, your safety matters to us. Here are a few ways to stay one step ahead of online scams:
Check your privacy settings. Keep your personal information limited to friends and family. The less scammers know, the less they can use against you.
Research before you buy. If an ad or post catches your attention, take a moment to verify the company. A quick search with words like “scam” or “complaint” can help reveal red flags.
Slow down fast friendships. If someone you just met online pushes for a quick relationship or financial help, take your time and get to know them first.
Verify unexpected messages. If a friend messages you about relief funds or money opportunities, contact them directly through another method before clicking links or sharing any information. Their account may have been compromised.
Remember: White Sands FCU will never ask for personal information, passwords, or account numbers through social media messages.
Mobile Phone Text Message Security
We’ve received reports of fraudulent text messages claiming to be from “the credit union.” These messages say your debit card has been locked and provide a phone number to call. Once you call, you’re asked to enter your full card number.
This is a phishing scam. It is not from White Sands FCU or any legitimate financial institution.
Do not respond to the message, click any links, or call the number. Delete it right away.
White Sands FCU will never ask you to call, text, or email us and then provide sensitive information such as:
Login ID or password
Account numbers
Social Security number
Debit or credit card numbers
If you receive a suspicious message or call, do not engage. Contact us directly at 1 (800) 658-9933 to verify and protect your account.
Gift Card & Check Scam Awareness
Scammers often pressure people to send money in ways that are hard to trace like gift cards, cryptocurrency, wire transfers, or money orders. If someone asks you to pay or send funds using one of these methods, stop and verify. Once those funds are sent, they’re almost impossible to recover.
Do not use money from a check (especially one you just received) to buy gift cards, send wire transfers, purchase cryptocurrency, or send money orders.
Never pay to receive a prize or reward. If you have to pay to claim something that’s “free,” it’s likely a scam.
Do not accept checks written for more than agreed. Overpayment checks are a common tactic used by scammers.
Cybersecurity Tips for Our Credit Union Members
Here at White Sands FCU, your financial and digital safety is our top priority. As your trusted financial partner, we want to ensure you're equipped with the knowledge and tools to protect your personal and financial information online.
Why Cybersecurity Matters to You
Cybercriminals target individuals and financial institutions every day. Their methods are becoming more sophisticated, including phishing emails, fake websites, and even phone scams. Protecting your digital identity is just as important as safeguarding your physical wallet.
🛡️ 1. Watch Out for Phishing Scams
Be cautious of emails or texts asking you to click a link, verify your information, or reset a password. We will never ask you for your account credentials, PIN, or full Social Security number by email or text.
Tip: If something seems suspicious, contact us directly—don’t reply to the message.
🔐 2. Use Strong, Unique Passwords
Avoid using the same password across multiple accounts. Choose complex passwords that include a mix of letters, numbers, and special characters.
Tip: Consider using a trusted password manager to store them securely.
🔒 3. Enable Multi-Factor Authentication (MFA)
Whenever possible, turn on MFA for your banking apps and email accounts. This adds an extra layer of protection beyond just your password.
📱 4. Keep Your Devices and Apps Updated
Updates often contain security patches. Make sure your phone, tablet, and computer are always running the latest software versions.
📞 5. Be Cautious of Phone Scams
Fraudsters may pretend to be from the credit union or another trusted source. If you're unsure about a call, hang up and call us back using our official number.
Report Fraud or Spoofing
If you believe you’ve received a suspicious message, phone call, or website pretending to be White Sands FCU, please contact us right away.
You can also report online fraud, spoofing, or internet-based scams directly to the Internet Crime Complaint Center (IC3)
Or, if you suspect your WSFCU account may be compromised, call us immediately at 575-647-4500 or 1-800-658-9933.
Our Security Measures
White Sands FCU has implemented several safeguards to help protect your account and personal information:
Our website is secure — look for the padlock symbol and ensure the web address starts with https://
A site without a padlock or that starts with http:// is not secure
We require an 8-character alphanumeric password for online banking access
Security features include personal watermarks, security challenge questions, and multi-step verification to confirm your identity
Your Role in Protecting Your Information
You are ultimately responsible for keeping your user IDs, passwords, and devices secure.
Perform regular checks on your computer and mobile devices for potential vulnerabilities. If your credentials are ever compromised, you may be at risk of financial loss.
If you have concerns about your device or network security, we recommend contacting a computer security specialist to help ensure your systems are protected against fraud.
Remember
White Sands Federal Credit Union will never ask for your PIN, debit card number, or password via email, text, or phone.
If you receive a suspicious message requesting this information, do not click on any links or provide details.
Instead, contact us immediately at 575-647-4500 or toll-free at 1-800-658-9933.
