Strong Pac Information

Your security and cyber safety is always important to us. That is why we are further enhancing our online banking and mobile app security with increased PAC (Personal Access Code) requirements this coming March 2020.

In addition to safety, STRONG PAC is also a security requirement for the introduction of future services including Online Account Opening, Mobile Pay and Apple Pay!

When will this change occur?

  • We will announce the exact date beginning of March. The date of implementation is targeted to be March 18th, 2020.

What will happen on the implementation date?

  • On that date, a pop-up screen will appear asking you to update your password and to follow the specific requirements. Those requirements will be given to you at that time.

Where will I be asked to change my PAC?

  • On the online banking page via desktop or mobile app

Tips for Creating a Strong PAC:

  • To help protect your account, avoid using names, dates or numbers tied to your identity (such as birthday, family name, pets, street).
  • Use a PAC that differs from your other banking, email, and social media accounts.
  • Creating a complex but memorable sequence of words and numbers will make it harder for others to guess your PAC.

Security Tip:

  • Please make sure you are not saving your password in your web browser. Anyone that has access to your PC would have access to your online banking and you are not covered with insurance.

 Important Information: – Mobile App with Quickview enabled and Past Saved Passwords

What is Quickview? Quickview allows you to view your account balances when you open the mobile app, without needing to login first.

  • Mobile App:
    • If you have Quickview* enabled on your VantageOne CU Mobile App, you will need to remove all registered devices from the full MemberDirect online banking site (note: this cannot be completed in MemberDirect Mobile Web Banking). This is required, as the App stores the last password (PAC) you had entered in MemberDirect online banking.
      • How to correct this:
        • Log in to MemberDirect online banking (if on mobile, you will need to scroll to the bottom of the page and select the ‘Full site’ link)
        • Navigate to Account Services > Mobile Banking App
        • Remove all registered devices
      • Desktop – Past Saved Passwords:
        • Ensure you clear your saved password. This is generally done by managing your saved passwords or by clearing your cache/cookies in your browser setting prior to launching online banking.

MemberDirect Small Business Users

  • With the launch of Strong PAC, Signers that have a Delegate will have to log in themselves to update their PAC before their Delegate can access online banking. Delegates do not need to have a strong PAC, if they are existing. However, if a NEW delegate is created or an Existing delegate requires a new PAC, then they will be required to update their PAC to a STRONG PAC.
  • Consolidated Accounts Feature – signers who have consolidated accounts within MDSB on their business account and personal account will need to update the PAC on their consolidated personal account via Online banking before the can access their consolidated accounts.
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Important Notice: Debit Card Issues

Our members may be impacted by an issue causing their debit cards to be declined at some Point of Sale (POS) terminals and Automated Fuel Dispensers (Gas Pumps).  This is not a credit union debit card issue.

This problem is impacting financial institutions that have issued new debit cards supporting the Interac Mandated changes of Combined Data Authentication (CDA).  Member transactions with these CDA cards will be declined when the member is required to use the PIN (Contactless impacted when spend limit exceeded or cumulative spend exceeded) at some POS terminals.  However, the member will be able to process transactions using Contactless (no PIN and insert) and the CDA debit cards continue to work at all ATMs.

For VantageOne members this means any MemberCards that we ordered through the banking system or were auto-renewed in 2019. MemberCards issued in branch are not affected.

This issue was first brought forward (December 17th) by one credit union and, at the time, it appeared to be an isolated situation. CCUA staff escalated the problem to Interac to investigate.

Everlink provided to Interac a sample of test cards to assist with the investigation.
Interac concluded that this was not card related as all CDA cards issued by credit unions had been certified using Interac’s third-party agent.

On December 31st CCUA staff identified that several more credit unions have been impacted by this issue and the problem has continued to spread.

Interac has now confirmed that this is a hardware terminal issue at some merchant locations.   The vendor, Verifone, has been able to replicate the error and identify the bug causing the declines.  We are anticipating further updates from Interac on the resolution to this issue and will update credit unions when received.

This is not only impacting credit unions, as several banks have identified the same issue, and it also appears to impact credit cards at the same terminals.


If you experience an issue with your debit card you could Split your transaction in two to allow for Contactless transactions.

We recommend to have cash on hand as a back up until this issue is resolved.

Interac has now issued a customer alert on its newsroom. https://newsroom.interac.ca/intermittent-interac-debit-chip-and-pin-card-purchase-declines/

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Important Notice: Credit Card Payment Waiting Period

To better protect you from fraudulent online activity, on January 8th, we are adding a Credit Card Payment Waiting Period to newly added credit cards that you add through online banking.

What this means is, once you’ve added a credit card to your account through online banking, you will need to wait before you can make your first payment. This is only for newly added credit cards and only for the first initial bill payment towards it. This has no affect on credit cards that you already have attached to your account.

If you call our Solution Centre or come into a branch we can add the credit card to your account that you can pay right away or make that first initial bill payment if you added it online!

We also recommend setting up Mobile Alerts to notify you of various account changes when they occur.  Check them out!  You will find the link for Mobile Alerts on the left-hand side of the screen, after you log in to online banking, under ‘Messages and Alerts’.

 

Please contact your branch today for full details and we can assist you with all your financial needs!

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AGM & Call for Director Nominations

Notice of Annual General Meeting

All members are invited to attend.
Wednesday, May 6, 2020
7:30 pm
Prestige Hotel
4411 32nd Street, Vernon
Registration begins at 6:45 pm


Call for Director Nominations

Nominations are invited to fill two (2) vacancies on VantageOne Credit Union’s board of directors. Two (2) directors will serve a 3-year term, ending in 2023. Directors perform an important role in the credit union, especially in the shaping of policies and long-term objectives. To be eligible, candidates must be nominated by three (3) members or by the Nominating Committee. They also must be members, other than junior members, in good standing, at least twelve (12) months prior to the date of the Annual General Meeting, which is to be held on May 6, 2020.

Written nominations for the volunteer positions must be received no later than 3:00 pm, Wednesday, January 29, 2020.

2020 Nominations Package

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2019 Excellence in Professional Service and Retail Award for Our Peachland Branch

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VantageOne’s Peachland Branch Recognized with the 2019 Excellence in Professional Service and Retail Award by the Peachland Chamber of Commerce

Peachland, B.C. – On October 19, 2019, the Peachland branch of VantageOne Credit Union was recognized with the 2019 Excellence in Professional Service and Retail Award at the Peachland Chamber of Commerce’s 23rd annual Business Excellence Awards. These awards recognize businesses, individuals and non-profit organizations that demonstrate professional excellence, outstanding customer service, entrepreneurship and a passion for the Peachland community.

“We are so thankful to have been recognized by the Peachland Chamber of Commerce with this year’s Excellence in Professional Service and Retail award,” says Lenka Anderson, Member Services Manager at VantageOne’s Peachland Branch. “We have made strong connections with the local community since opening in June 2017 and have built a reputation of being here to serve them as their trustworthy and knowledgeable financial professionals. The VantageOne vision is to provide our members and clients with an “extraordinary experience”, and to receive this award in recognition of our efforts in Peachland, is a great honour.”

“We are thrilled to have our team in Peachland recognized by the community for their dedication and service,” says Glenn Benischek, CEO of VantageOne Credit Union. “Our people are our difference, this is an honour that reinforces the strength of our team and our commitment to the community of Peachland.”

​For more information about the Peachland Chamber of Commerce and the Business Excellence awards, visit https://www.peachlandchamber.com/.

 

Founded in Vernon in 1944, VantageOne Credit Union has been providing financial services to communities in the Okanagan region for over 75 years. Since that time, we are proud to have become a vital part of the local economy with six branches across the region to serve our membership of over 11,000. We offer products and services ranging from consumer and commercial banking & borrowing solutions, wealth management and equipment leasing. As a proud local credit union with local decision making – we are dedicated to improving the financial ability of our members, clients, employees and communities through providing exceptional service with “a human touch”, advice, education and investment in our communities.
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Apple Pay for your VOCU Credit Card is a fast, easy, and secure way to make purchases.

Apple Pay

Making purchases is easier than ever with your VantageOne Collabria credit card.

Collabria now offers Apple Pay™. No matter which way you pay, you will continue to earn eligible rewards, benefits and security.

Easy Checkout

There is no need to get your wallet out at the checkout line as no physical card is required for purchases! Touching your finger to your device lets you check out quickly with your Collabria credit card for both in-store and in-app purchases.

Protect Your Payments

When you use mobile payments, your credit card number is never saved or stored. Instead a token is created, replacing the actual credit card number with a special number for making payments with a one-time use security code. If you ever do have fraud on your card, you’re protected with Zero Liability protection.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is Apple Pay?
Apple Pay offers an easy, secure and private way to pay on iPhone, iPad, Apple Watch and Mac. Collabria credit cards can be used with Apple Pay to pay on the go at merchants who accept contactless payments, in participating apps and on the web. Apple Pay will provide real-time notifications and details for your purchases when you use Apple Pay on iPhone or iPad.

Which cards and devices can use Apple Pay?
All Collabria credit cards are available for use with Apple Pay.

To use Apple Pay in-store, you must have an iPhone 6 or later or an Apple Watch that is paired with an iPhone 5 or later. To use Apple Pay for in-app payments, you must have an Apple Watch, iPhone SE, iPhone 6 or later, or iPad Pro, iPad Air 2 or iPad mini 3 or later. You can also use Apple Pay on the web on supported iPhones, iPads or Macs.

Click here for the complete list of frequently asked questions or visit the Apple website.

Additional resources from Apple:

Collabria Apple Pay Terms and Conditions.

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75th Anniversary

On July 10, 2019 VantageOne celebrated our 75th Anniversary with member appreciation events at all of our branches and a big celebration in our Main Branch courtyard to kick-off our full year of celebrating 75 years!

The focus of our year long celebration is completing 75 Acts of Kindness in our communities. Some of the acts will be through our community sponsorship program, providing staff volunteers, free tent usage and through encouraging our staff and members to complete everyday tasks to add to our list like shoveling a neighbours driveway or buying a coffee for someone in line.

If you would like to be a part of our 75 Acts of Kindness, visit one of our 6 locations to select a card with an Act of Kindness on it and send us pictures to community@vantageone.net. Join us at our AGM in the spring (date to be announced soon!) to help us celebrate turning 75 and to check in on some of our Acts of Kindness so far. On July 10th, 2020 we will wrap up the year of celebrations and showcase our Acts of Kindness completed throughout the year!

Click here to learn more about our 75 Acts of Kindness completed so far!

 

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Website Refresh

VantageOne is excited to show off some of the new website changes we have been working on. You will notice that our homepage has a refreshed look with some added thumbnail images and new banners throughout the site.

Every change we make to the website is with you in mind – keeping the layout simple and streamlined to make it easy for you to find the information you need!

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What is an Intercepted e-Transfer you wonder?

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This occurs when a legitimate member sends an e-Transfer to someone they know. Criminals seize the opportunity to deposit the funds to a mule account before the intended recipient has the chance.  The interception is not caused by a vulnerability in MemberDirect or the Interac e-Transfer product, but rather because the recipient’s email account was accessed by a criminal. Once in that account, criminals can “see” the notification from Interac and use the deposit link to redirect funds into a different account by answering the security question.

 

Here are some tips to help protect yourself:  

  • Not communicate the answer to the security question via email.  Call and/or text the recipient with the password.
  • Select a question and answer that is not easy for a third party to guess.  If the notification is intercepted, it will be harder for a criminal to answer and steal the funds.
  • Be cautious not to click on any phishing links and ensure that they are only transacting with trusted websites, vendors and people.
  • Immediately notify their financial institution if they sense anything suspicious about their transaction.
  • Register for Autodeposit, this will make sending money on the e-Transfer service more secure!
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Fraud Alert

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There have been reports of fraudsters calling our members from fake numbers claiming to be from “a parent company of VantageOne Credit Union”. The scammers leave a message with instructions to be called back.

We believe they were attempting to gather personal information.

We would like to remind our members that VantageOne will not call you and ask for your personal details. Please be cautious when dealing with phone calls that ask for personal information. VantageOne staff and our Hub Solutions Centre, do reach out to members on occasion via the telephone, but these calls do not require your personal information and you are always welcomed and encouraged to hang up and call VantageOne back via the main member phone number at 250-545-9251, if in doubt.

We have included some fraud tips below to help you protect yourself from telephone scammers.

If you have any questions or concerns, please feel free to contact us.

Tips to protect yourself from scams:
• Never disclose personal information over phone, text or email, unless YOU initiated the need to do so or know who you are talking to.
• VantageOne will never call or send you emails or communications asking you to verify or provide your online banking details or account number.
• When in doubt, ask questions. When it comes to your finances, it is better to be suspicious and ask questions then to give information freely.
• If you feel pressured or threatened, never hesitate to hang up and end the call.

More Information
Canadian Anti-fraud Centre – https://www.competitionbureau.gc.ca/eic/site/cb-bc.nsf/vwapj/Little-Black-Book-Scams-e.pdf/$file/Little-Black-Book-Scams-e.pdf
Little Black Book of Scams
https://www.competitionbureau.gc.ca/eic/site/cb-bc.nsf/vwapj/Little-Black-Book-Scams-e.pdf/$file/Little-Black-Book-Scams-e.pdf

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