Russia-Ukraine Crisis: Increasing Cyber Threats
Russia’s military invasion into Ukraine is expected to trigger increased cyberattacks as the crisis evolves. We’re closely monitoring the situation and remain committed to safeguarding our members and BECU.
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As we watch the unfolding crisis in Ukraine, our hearts go out to the people who are directly impacted by the violent Russian invasion. We're receiving intelligence from the U.S. government and other trusted sources that this crisis will spill over into cyberspace and to expect an increase in phishing and social engineering attacks.
The safety of your account information is our priority. Although we haven't yet seen abnormal activity or increased cyberattacks, we encourage you to stay especially vigilant at this time.
What potential cyberattacks may look like
As you prepare for the possibility of increased phishing and smishing threats, here are some things to be aware of:
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Cyberattacks may have nothing to do with BECU or your financial services.
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Email and text messages may pretend to solicit donations for Ukraine or encourage you to register for security services to protect you from a cyberattack.
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Watch out for messages that ask you for sensitive information and be cautious of clicking on any links.
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Be suspicious of any overly aggressive email or text messages that convey a heightened sense of urgency or ask for sensitive information after you click on a link.
How BECU will contact you — and what we'll never do
If your BECU account information is involved in a cyberattack, you'll be more likely to identify the threat if you know what's normal and what's not. Here's a reminder of what to expect from us:
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We will not ask for your Online Banking User ID.
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We will not ask for your Online Banking Password.
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We will not include links in text messages. A text message that's “spoofed” to look like it's from BECU may include a link that directs you to enter your Online Banking User ID and Password.
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We will continually monitor your accounts for suspicious activity. If we suspect fraud on your debit or credit card, we'll send you a text message, email or automated phone call.
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If we send a text message, you'll be asked to reply YES or NO, or advised to call the BECU servicing number on the back of your card to verify card usage. If you identify unauthorized transactions, you'll be connected with a live person. Do not click any links or provide information until you are certain the message is from BECU
Let us know if you're targeted
If you're concerned about a suspicious communication you've received or responded to, we recommend you contact BECU using one of the methods below:
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Call us at 800-233-2328.
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Send us a secure message using Messenger in Online Banking or the mobile app. (Look for the teal chat icon in the bottom right side of the screen.)
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Visit any BECU location. Find one near you on our website Locations page.
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Email our security team at phishing@becu.org to report suspicious activity. (We monitor these email notifications only during business hours). Please do not send confidential information via email.