Member Education & Consumer Tips

Important Notice of Fraud Against VISA Debit Cards
Redwood Credit Union (RCU) has been notified by VISA® USA that a series of fraud rings abroad are actively targeting VISA debit cardholders for the purpose of conducting fraud on their accounts. These incidents have caused RCU and other financial institutions to block some international VISA card transactions. Before you travel, make sure you know where and how you can use your credit/debit card. Please be assured that RCU’s systems and databases are secure, and they are not the cause of these occurrences.

The Situation

RCU has been advised that the perpetrators are primarily concerned with making Personal Identification Number (PIN)-based withdrawals against cardholder accounts via Automated Teller Machines (ATM). In some cases, signature-based transactions are also being targeted.

What This Means for RCU VISA Debit Cardholders

For the protection of our Members, RCU is blocking Members from using their VISA Debit cards via PIN-based transactions, while traveling in the following countries:

• Australia
• Egypt
• El Salvador
• Pakistan
• Romania
• Russia
• Ukraine

Additionally, RCU is blocking Members from using their RCU VISA Debit cards via signature-based transactions while traveling in the following countries:

• Japan
• Malaysia
• Thailand

How Am I Protected From These Occurrences?

In these types of situations, RCU VISA debit cardholders are protected with $0 fraud liability and VISA’s rapid response anti-fraud system is activated immediately upon RCU being notified. This means that, as an affected cardholder, you are not responsible for any fraudulent charges that appear on your account as a result of this incident.

Your Alternatives

If you are planning to travel to any of the counties listed above, RCU recommends the following:

• Bring traveler’s cheques. Be sure to keep your receipts separate from the actual checks so that you may have them replaced if they are lost or stolen. Find more information on traveler’s cheques available from RCU here.
• To use your RCU VISA Debit card to obtain cash, visit a reputable financial institution during business hours to perform a cash advance against your card, rather than using your PIN at an ATM. The financial institution will need to verify your identity to perform the cash advance, which protects you from unauthorized use of your card. Read information about cash advances against your RCU VISA Debit card.
• If unable to use your VISA debit card, use a credit card to make purchases. Find information or apply for an RCU VISA card here.

Next Steps

Unfortunately, the list of countries targeted changes frequently, so we encourage Members to visit our website regularly to keep informed about emerging concerns—especially prior to traveling out of the country.

What to Do if Your Card or PIN Are Compromised

Should you learn that either your card number or PIN have been compromised, please contact Redwood Credit Union’s Member Service Center during our hours of operation After hours, please call (888) 782-2228 to report your card lost or stolen.

Please be assured that we are taking every step necessary to respond immediately and provide uninterrupted service to you. Should you have additional questions, please contact our Member Service Center at (800) 479-7928.