Security Tips

Security Tips

Fraud Prevention

Your Safety is our Top Priority

GTE Financial is committed to protecting your identity and money with our products and services. To see examples of known scams, click here.

What You Can Do To Prevent Becoming A Fraud Victim

  • Get a Go Premium with GTE Secure Checking Account
  • Set up Security and Balance Alerts for online banking
  • Get a GTE Financial MasterCard with Identity Monitoring
  • Change your passwords every 30 days
  • Review your account activity daily or weekly for any inconsistencies
  • When shopping online, only visit trusted sites
  • Never store your card information online
  • Personalize control over your GTE debit and credit card using the GTE Cards app
  • Pay using your debit or credit card instead of a paper check
    • If you do use checks:
      • Do NOT provide a blank check to anyone
      • Keep your check book stored in a secure location
      • Use local USPS office for mailing out checks
  • Never provide a one-time passcode or ANY personal information over the phone to a caller. 
  • When using Zelle, pay attention to text and emails you receive and read them all carefully
  • Do not send money to someone you do not know or do not trust.
  • Do not accept requests to debit your account unless you have prior knowledge.

Fraud Warning:

Fraud and scams are at an all-time high. Be wary of suspicious calls claiming to be from or partnered with GTE Financial. If you receive a suspicious call, hang up immediately.

Remember - never give personal or financial data over the phone unless you initiated the phone call. Call GTE Financial at 813.871.2690 if you believe you have been a victim of fraud.

Fraud Recovery

What To Do If You've Been A Victim of Fraud

Your account has just been compromised and fraud has occurred. GTE Financial has your back! Our team is committed to be with you every step of the way from submitting the claim to the resolution. Click the items below to learn more.

Your debit or credit card number was stolen or used without your authorization.

 

How do I submit my claim?
Go to online banking under security option select claims center. Follow the simple steps and submit.

 

How long does it take for this claim to be resolved?
Most claims are settled within 10 business days after submitting the claim

 

How will I be notified?
Claim status can be viewed within the claim center through online banking.  You will also receive communication through phone, mail, or email.

 

When will I get a new card?
You can get a new virtual card immediately through our mobile app.  If you would like a physical card, stop at any Community Financial Center for an Instant Issue card.  Otherwise, your new cards will arrive in the mail within 7-10 business days.

 

What about my money, when do I get that back?
In most cases, you will have use of the funds by receiving immediate provisional (temporary) credit after submitting your claim.   Otherwise, you will receive the credit no later than 10 business days after submitting the claim or a letter from the card risk team with resolution information.

 

What if I have automatic payments set up on my card that has the fraud?
Once you receive your new card (Virtual or physical), you will need to set up the autopayments to the new card. 

These are electronic debits that have been posted to your account.  In order for this to happen, fraudsters have to have your account number and routing information, as well as a way to verify microdeposits when linking external accounts.  Basically, the fraudster has access to your online banking!

 

How do I submit my claim?
Contact GTE immediately and report the activity. You will be asked to complete a Statement of unauthorized Debit form. This is available in Online banking in the Everything Else Menu > Resources > Forms.

 

How long does it take for this claim to be resolved?
Most claims are settled within 10 business days after submitting the claim.

 

How will I be notified?
You will be notified through phone, mail, or email.

 

What happens to my account(s) and online banking?
Online banking will be restricted, and impacted accounts will need to be closed and new accounts established. In addition, new online banking credentials will be created. This is your opportunity to create a new password. Do not reuse the same password that was previously on the account. Remember to re-route your direct deposit and any automated debits/bill payments to the new accounts.

 

How will I know my new account is safe?
Review the security features available in online banking and set up text alerts for logins, balance changes, password resets, etc. This is a great way to protect your account and be more involved if there are irregularities moving forward. We strongly encourage members to stay away from aggregator apps. Aggregators are apps that can be used to store your GTE login information, as well as, any other financial institution accounts you may have.  Some examples of these app types are Plaid, Finicity, and Intuit. If you access your account from a public computer, be sure to delete the cache and cookies before signing off.

 

What about my money, when do I get that back?
In most cases, you will have use of the funds by receiving provisional (temporary) credit after submitting your claim within 5 business days.

Your physical paper check(s) was stolen or altered and has cleared your account.

 

How do I submit my claim?
Contact GTE immediately and report the activity. You will be asked to complete a Statement of Unauthorized Share Draft (check) form or report Forgery based on the situation.

 

How long does this claim take to be resolved?
Claims can take upwards of 90 days to be finalized.

 

How will I be notified?
You will be notified through phone, mail, or email.

 

What about my money, when do I get that back?
In most cases, you will have use of the funds by receiving provisional (temporary) credit after submitting your claim within 3-5 business days.

 

What happens to my account(s)?
Impacted accounts will need to be closed and new accounts established. A set of new checks will be ordered and mailed to you directly! Remember to re-route your direct deposit and any automated debits/bill payments to the new accounts.

A person-to-person transfer was completed without your authorization, or you are the victim of a scam, and your online banking has been compromised which resulted in a person-to-person transfer from your account. 

 

How do I submit my claim?
Contact GTE immediately and report the activity. You will be asked to complete an Unauthorized Withdrawal of Funds form.

 

How long does this claim take to be resolved?
Claims can take upwards of 90 days to be finalized.

 

How will I be notified?
You will be notified through phone, mail, or email.

 

What about my money, when do I get that back?
In most cases, you will have use of the funds by receiving provisional (temporary) credit after submitting your claim within 3-5 business days.

 

What happens to my account(s)?
Depending on the circumstances, Zelle privileges could be permanently revoked/suspended or new accounts will need to be established.

How can make sure no one accesses my accounts and takes my money?
If you have reason to believe you might be a victim of identity theft, contact GTE immediately. We will review your account(s) and have you set a verbal PIN to prevent unauthorized account access over the phone or in person.  

 

We also recommend that you: 

  1. Contact any one of the credit bureaus and request an ID theft alert be placed on your credit file. They will communicate with the other credit bureaus on your behalf.
  2. Obtain a copy of your credit report and review all lines of credit to ensure that there are no unrecognized items on your bureau.
  3. Contact the Federal Trade Commission to file an Identity Theft Claim so that we can remove any unwanted items from your credit bureau.