Protecting Yourself from Fraud
Pause. Verify. If something doesn’t look right, contact us.
At Lutheran Church Extension Fund (LCEF), we take your privacy, data and financial protection seriously. While we work every day to safeguard your information, scammers continue to find new ways to impersonate trusted institutions. Staying vigilant and informed is one of the best ways to protect yourself from financial fraud.
Steps to Take If You Suspect Fraud
Contact LCEF Immediately
Call us as soon as you spot suspicious or unauthorized transactions. Contact LCEF’s Customer Relations team at 800-843-5233, Monday through Friday, 7 a.m. – 5 p.m. CT.
Gather the Details
Be ready to share:
- Date(s) of suspicious transactions.
- Amount(s).
- Merchant name(s).
- Supporting documentation or screenshots.
Dispute the Charges
We may ask you to:
- Complete a written dispute form.
- Provide a police report (if applicable).
- Share any additional required documentation.
Be Aware: 3 Common Financial Scams
Fraudulent Messages
Fraudulent emails, texts or calls may look legitimate but are designed to steal your personal information, passwords or security codes. Pause before you respond. Verify the sender and contact the company directly through official channels if something feels off.
Fraudulent emails, texts or calls may look legitimate but are designed to steal your personal information, passwords or security codes. Pause before you respond. Verify the sender and contact the company directly through official channels if something feels off.
Impersonation Scams
Scammers can pose as officials from government agencies, phone and utility companies or even financial institutions to gain your trust and access your funds. If a situation doesn’t seem right, trust your instincts and end the conversation immediately.
Scammers can pose as officials from government agencies, phone and utility companies or even financial institutions to gain your trust and access your funds. If a situation doesn’t seem right, trust your instincts and end the conversation immediately.
Charity and Urgent Request Scams
A scammer may ask you to send gift cards or payment information urgently to help a charitable cause or someone in need. Always take time to confirm the legitimacy of the charity or claim before donating.
A scammer may ask you to send gift cards or payment information urgently to help a charitable cause or someone in need. Always take time to confirm the legitimacy of the charity or claim before donating.
Practical Tips to Reduce Your Risk:
- Verify before you act. Contact LCEF or any organization directly using the number on their official website.
- Never share personal information in response to an unsolicited message or call.
- Keep your devices secure with strong passwords and regular software updates.
- Monitor your accounts regularly for unusual activity or unauthorized transactions.
What Can Affect Your Refund?
Several factors determine how a fraud case is handled and whether a refund can be issued:
- Timely reporting: The sooner you report fraud, the more options we have to help.
- LCEF policies: We follow standard procedures consistent with financial industry best practices.
-
Account security practices:Â If your card or account information was shared, stored or handled in a way that increased risk, refund eligibility may be limited.
Call us as soon as you spot suspicious or unauthorized transactions. Contact LCEF’s Customer Relations team at 800-843-5233, Monday through Friday, 7 a.m. – 5 p.m. CT.
If you notice fraud on your LCEF debit card outside of LCEF’s business hours, please call LCEF’s card servicing team at UMB at 800-449-9176 to file a report.