Each year the amount of fraud committed with stolen credit and debit card information increases.

In response, credit unions, banks and card issuers have tightened their security in order to protect consumers. When a credit or debit card is used in an "unusual" or "suspicious" manner, financial institutions have measures in place that will trigger an alert.

Unusual or suspicious activity includes the card or card number being used in a city or country that it has never been used in before, or a variation in the customary spending pattern of the cardholder, such as sudden high dollar purchases.

If you are planning on traveling, or making a purchase that may be unusual for you, please contact your credit union, bank or card issuer prior to using your card. This is will ensure that you are not inconvenienced by having your card privileges suspended or blocked.

Parsons Federal Credit Union cardholders may contact Card Services at 800-765-4527 ext. 343. It is also extremely important that we have current telephone numbers and email addresses in the event we need to reach you to verify activity on your credit or debit card.