Pioneer is always keeping up to date with recurring trends or trends seen in the news regarding fraud. Here we report the information to you so that you can take precautionary measures to ensure your card has not been compromised. As always, we encourage you to view your account online at pioneerafcu.org or to download our mobile app "Pioneer Passport" for iPhone® and Android™ to have real-time access to your account information. These tools will also allow you to set up alerts to notify you of any transactions hitting your account.
Please note: Due to numerous reports of fraud through our card processing system, we have set temporary and permanent blocks on various states and/or zip codes and on particular merchants with high fraud rates.
The most up to date details on card blocks are listed below:
IMPORTANT ALERT: Beware of Fraudulent Calls & Scams
Fraud Alert for the Holiday Season
As we approach the busy holiday spending season, it's essential to remain vigilant against the rise in fraudulent activities.
1. Scam Calls Spoofing Our Phone Number:
We've identified a scam where fraudsters are impersonating our credit union by spoofing our phone number, (304-348-6648). They use this to deceive members into inadvertently assisting them in making unauthorized debit card transactions.
Here's how it works:
- The scammer compromises a debit/credit card and attempts a purchase.
- If our fraud team blocks this purchase, the scammer then contacts the member, pretending to be from our Credit Union, attempting to get the member to approve the transaction.
Please note: Pioneers' fraud team never calls from a local number. When reaching out, our fraud department uses an 800-number. Additionally, our primary method of contact for suspicious activity is text alerts or emails (assuming we have your correct information). These texts are from a five-digit number, not a local phone number.
2. Calls Requesting Verification Codes:
We've noticed a trend where members receive calls asking for a verification code to discuss card activity. Providing this code can allow scammers to set up services like Apple Pay or Google Pay, giving them unauthorized access to your funds.
Remember: Our representatives will never call and then ask for a verification code. If a verification is requested, it will only be when you initiate contact with us.
Stay Safe & Informed:
Should you ever have doubts about the authenticity of a call or message, always hang up and reach out to us directly:
- Our Office: (304-348-6648)
- Fraud Team: (800-237-8990)
Let's protect our financial well-being by staying informed and cautious. Thank you for trusting us with your banking needs.
Credit Cards
Update: 12/8/2016
We have added a block to WALMART.COM over $500.00. Our fraud system will contact you if a charge is made over that amount.
Update: 11/28/2016
All debit/credit card transactions in Georgia are blocked until further notice.
Debit Cards
Update: 3/24/2020
We are receiving reports of calls coming from Pioneer Appalachia Federal Credit Union’s toll-free number (800) 339-4378 asking for members to verify information from their account.
Please take serious caution – Pioneer Appalachia Federal Credit Union WILL NOT CALL YOU to ask you to verify information about your account. We have a fraud department that handles anything that may appear to be fraud on your account.
If our system flags your account for a fraudulent transaction you will receive a text or an email from our fraud department that details proper protocol to respond to potential fraud.
Once again, we DO NOT CALL you. We will ASK YOU to call us to do our proper due diligence.
If you are receiving calls from someone claiming to be a Pioneer Appalachia Federal Credit Union employee asking for information do not respond – HANG UP and CALL THE CREDIT UNION immediately.
Update: 2/8/2017
All Maryland ATM transactions over $105.00 will be blocked until further notice.
Temporary Debit Card Blocks
Georgia – All Signature transactions at merchant category codes 5411(Grocery/Supermarkets), 5912 Pharmacy/Drug Stores) and 5310(Discount Stores) are blocked. All Pin transactions will work.
Permanent Debit Card Blocks
New York – All Signature transactions are blocked.
California – All Signature transactions are blocked. All PIN transactions are allowed.
Foreign Countries (Including Mexico and Canada) – All Signature transactions made outside the US are blocked. All PIN transactions allowed.
Credit Cards - Blocks
Temporary Credit Card Blocks
Maryland – Transactions over $205 will auto block the card. This excludes EMV Chip transactions.
Georgia – All Signature transactions greater than $125 at merchant category codes 5411(Grocery/Supermarkets), 5912 Pharmacy/Drug Stores) and 5310(Discount Stores) are blocked. All Pin transactions will work.
Permanent Credit Card Blocks
Qatar, India and the Netherlands – All Signature transactions in these countries are blocked. PIN and EMV CHIP transactions allowed.
PLEASE NOTE: If you are going to be traveling, please contact Pioneer and we will add a note to your account. If you are traveling to an area listed above, please call (304) 348-6648 or 1 (800) 339-4378 and we will remove the block during your time of travel.
Definitions
Temporary: A temporary block is put in place when an area, merchant or state that we typically don't have blocked has a string of fraudulent activity reported. As a precaution, Pioneer sets temporary blocks to protect our members' card data and accounts. These blocks assist in stopping any fraudulent activity from occurring. A temporary block will stay in place until we have confirmed the fraudulent activity has stopped.
Permanent: A permanent block is put in place when we see trends of consistent, high fraud volume patterns outside of the US, within certain states in the US and with particular merchants. As a precaution, Pioneer sets permanent blocks to protect our members' card data and accounts. Permanent blocks will never be removed.
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