When submitting bill payments to an account at HLEFCU, please be sure to update the Credit Union's address to 1936 South King Street, Honolulu, HI 96826. Failure to do so will result in your payment being returned.

Members are reporting receiving calls from a number that appears as "unknown" or our own 808.973.4311 number on their caller ID. The person on the line claims to be "David Thompson" of the HLEFCU mortgage department. He then informs the member that their mortgage is delinquent and that if they don't remit payment immediately, their house will be foreclosed on. If you do not answer, he will ask you to call 929.268.1636 to make arrangements.

This scam is using a technique called call spoofing to trick members into think that they are receiving a legitimate call from the Credit Union. There is no person by the name of David Thompson at the Credit Union. What's more, call back numbers for the Credit Union will always be 808.973.4311, 1.866.351.4311, 808.447.22xx, or 1.888.918.7313 (fraud/security). 

If you ever receive a call that you're unsure of, we highly recommend that you hang up and call the organization back using a number known to you. This includes calls that you receive from the Credit Union's own number. NEVER give out personal information to an entity that reached out to you. However, if you do fall for any of these tricks, please give us a call at 808.973.4311, or toll-free at 1.866.351.4311 so that we can work with you to help secure your HLEFCU accounts.

For more information on call spoofing, check out this video from the Federal Communications Commission.

Beginning March 18, 2022, if you change or add a credit card payment account - regardless if it's an HLEFCU savings or checking or one from another financial institution - you will need to wait an additional five calendar days to allow for verification of that account, prior to scheduling your next credit card payment. This change will also prohibit you from changing or adding a new credit card payment account if you have a payment already scheduled within five days. In light of these changes. HLEFCU recommends that you allow ample time for payment processing prior to the due date of your credit card payment. The five-day verification can be completed at any time after March 18 and completing this step in advance will prevent future delays. 

These changes are due to a change in National Automated Clearing House Association's rules and is designed to protect against fraud in online payments. In-person and phone payments are not affected by this rule change. For questions or to schedule a payment by phone, please call us at 808.973.4311, or toll-free at 1.866.351.4311.

While the Credit Union typically doesn't call members about their accounts, in some instances, you may receive a call or text message from us. These communications will typically be about security or fraud issues, critical account issues, or special offers. As a result, we encourage members to add the following numbers to their phone books so you know it's us when we reach out:

• 808.973.4311 - our main line
• 1.888.918.7313 - our credit card fraud/security line
• 808.201.1176 - our text messaging service

The FTC has issued a warning that robocall scammers are increasingly contacting using two different storylines. In the first scenario, robocallers pretend to be Amazon or another online merchant and are calling to inform you of suspicious purchases on your account. In the second scenario, the robocallers are pretending to be Apple and are caliming that you have suspicious activity on your iCloud account. 

In both of these scenarios, the robocaller asks you to press 1 or to leave a phone number at which they can call you back at. DO NOT do either of these. These robocallers are trying to trick you into providing personal information such as your account passwords or credit card numbers. 

Remember, retailers, service providers, and financial institutions will never call you to request personal information such as passwords, account numbers, etc. When in doubt, it's always best to call the company in question yourself using a known phone number. 

According to the US Department of Labor, fraudsters are stealing peoples' identities to file fraudulent jobless claims to take advantage of the enhanced government aid provided through the CARES Act. Typically, these fraudsters target the Pandemic Unemployment Assistance system and have stolen an estimated $16 million in Hawaii alone. As a result, the Hawaii Department of Labor is asking that anyone that receives a letter regarding a claim for PUA and didn't apply for it to report the incident via the State's PUA website.

Those that receive the letter should also report the incident as identity theft to the Federal Trade Commission at IdentityTheft.gov

For more information on PUA Identity Theft and Fraud, please visit the State of Hawaii Department of Labor and Industrial Relations website.

In times of crisis, fraud by phone and email increases, as criminals try to take advantage of what is often a confusing, stressful time for many. So, it's essential to be extra vigilant during these uncertain times. Below are a few tips and reminders to help you keep your finances safe:

• HLEFCU will never call, text, or email you to ask you for sensitive information like your account, debit card, or credit card number; your PIN; passwords, or your Social Security Number.
• When searching for needed supplies, do not buy from unfamiliar websites. 
• Use your HLEFCU Platinum Mastercard instead of your HLEFCU Debit Card when placing online orders to safeguard the funds in your account. 
• Do not purchase COVID-19 test kits or treatments online - these are all likely scams.
• Scammers may also pose as hospitals or doctors claiming that they treated a loved one and that payment is required. 
• Malware is being embedded into apps that claim they're able to track the spread of the virus. If you want to keep tabs on the spread of the virus, utilize known sources of information like the CDC, the World Health Organization, and John Hopkins University Tracker

Did you forget your Home Banking Password? Now, you can reset it yourself, even if you've already locked yourself out of your Home Banking account! Just click the "Forgot Password" link next to the "Login" button and follow the instructions. Need a little more help? Check out our how-to video on resetting your password. 

It has come to our attention that members are receiving letters in the mail stating that their home secured by HLEFCU has a home warranty that's about to expire.  HLEFCU does not offer home warranties, nor do we require them.  Further, the information contained in the letter is available as public records via the State of Hawaii Bureau of Conveyances.  Please disregard any such letters (see example here) and call us at 808.973.4311 if you have any questions.