Michael
A Disappointing Experience with Altra Federal Credit Union
I recently had the misfortune of dealing with Altra Federal Credit Union, and I must say, it was a highly disappointing experience. From their limited operating hours to their lackluster online security measures, this credit union left much to be desired. Furthermore, their questionable credibility due to their bait-and-switch marketing tactics only added to my frustration. First and foremost, one of the most frustrating aspects of Altra Federal Credit Union is their restricted operating hours. It's astonishing that a financial institution in this day and age would close their doors on weekends. This severely limits the convenience for working individuals like myself who can only tend to their banking needs on Saturdays or Sundays. It is incredibly inconvenient to have to rearrange my schedule during the already busy workweek just to perform basic banking transactions. Additionally, their online security measures are disappointingly lazy. In an era where cybercrime is rampant, it is crucial for financial institutions to prioritize the safety of their customers. However, Altra Federal Credit Union seems to have overlooked this fundamental aspect. Their online security measures are subpar at best, leaving customers vulnerable to potential hacking attempts and identity theft. It is alarming that a credit union, which should be safeguarding our financial well-being, falls short in protecting our sensitive information. Moreover, I was deeply disappointed by the credibility of Altra Federal Credit Union due to their bait-and-switch marketing tactics. These questionable practices involve enticing customers with attractive offers and rates, only to backtrack on those promises once the customer is committed. It's a deceptive strategy that undermines the trust between the institution and its members. Such unethical behavior raises serious concerns about the credit union's integrity and their commitment to honest and transparent dealings. Overall, my experience with Altra Federal Credit Union was extremely unsatisfactory. Their inconvenient operating hours, lax online security measures, and questionable marketing tactics make it difficult to trust them with my financial affairs. I would strongly advise anyone considering banking with them to explore alternative options that prioritize customer convenience, security, and ethical practices. *** Response to their response I live 80 miles away from the nearest branch and with customer service not available on weekends I needed to waiting until Monday or drive 160 miles. SECURITY reCAPTCHA primarily focuses on verifying the user's humanity, typically through image recognition or solving simple puzzles. While it can help prevent automated bots from accessing banking websites, it does not address other sophisticated security threats, such as phishing attacks, malware, or social engineering techniques. reCAPTCHA is essentially a form of single-factor authentication, which relies on something the user knows (solving a puzzle) or something the user has (visual or audio input) to verify their identity. However, for banking transactions, it is crucial to have multi-factor authentication that combines multiple factors such as something the user knows (password), something the user has (OTP token or smartphone), and something the user is (biometric data). This layered approach provides a higher level of security. reCAPTCHA does not provide any means to verify the identity of the user beyond confirming their humanity. In banking, it is essential to have a robust identification process to ensure that the person conducting the transaction is the legitimate account holder. This typically involves additional security measures like username/password combinations, security questions, or two-factor authentication methods. While reCAPTCHA has proven effective in deterring many automated bots, it is not foolproof. There have been instances where sophisticated bots or human-powered services have managed to bypass reCAPTCHA. Additionally, attackers can employ various techniques, such as using machine learning algorithms or distributed human labor, to overcome the challenges posed by reCAPTCHA. reCAPTCHA can contribute to the security of online banking websites, it should be implemented as part of a broader security framework that includes multi-factor authentication, user identification processes, encryption, and robust anti-fraud measures. A comprehensive approach is necessary to ensure the security and integrity of banking transactions in the face of evolving cyber threats.
Response from Altra Federal Credit UnionJul 5, 2023
Michael, It is disappointing to read your review about us. We value our member's input and appreciate the time you took to share your thoughts, but there are some things here that we would like to address. If you are in our La Crosse market, our location in Festival Foods on Copeland Ave. is open with Saturday lobby hours, 9am-4pm. They are also opened during the weekdays until 7pm to accommodate our members that cannot get to our branches before 5:30pm. We also offer our SAM-e machines 24/7 at all Altra locations to allow our members the ability to complete transactions with us any time of day. When it comes to online security, our member's security is top priority. Our Online Banking uses re-CAPTCHA verification in the background to prevent unauthorized logins. If you have any specific security concerns or additional questions, please feel free to reach out to us to discuss further at 1-800-755-0055. Thank you for choosing Altra!




