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What's the best way to avoid being scammed? Simple: Do not provide personal information to anyone unless you initiate the contact. SCAM ALERTS: -Online Banking Scams: To avoid online banking scams, the most important thing for you to know is that the Credit Union will NEVER contact you through any means (email, phone, mail) to request information about your online banking credentials. If you forget your password or get locked out of the system, the ONLY way to fix this is by contacting the Credit Union. Always keep in mind that scammers are constantly trying to figure out ways to obtain your personal information so they can access your money. One way they go about this is by sending notifications that your online banking account needs to be "reset" or "reactivated". They'll provide a link you can click on or a number you can call to supposedly accomplish this. Once you click on the link or call the number, they have you enter your user ID, password and/or other personal information which is recorded by them and used to access your account. -Text scams: Scammers are sending text messages claiming to be from your financial institution. The text states that your account has been frozen and you must call the 800 # provided to unfreeze your account. When you call, they request card number, pin, etc. -Beware: If your financial institution was recently acquired by another institution, you may be the next target of a scam. Scammers are posing as acquiring institutions and sending fraudulent emails asking accountholders to update, validate, or confirm their account information. If you receive such a request, DO NOT provide any personal information. Instead, contact your institution at a phone number you obtain from a previous account statement or other reputable source. -Foreclosure scams are sweeping the nation: Scammers are taking advantage of poor economic conditions by tricking homeowners into believing they can help them avoid foreclosure. The scam usually works one of two ways: the company (aka the scammers) receives an upfront fee and is never heard from again, or; homeowners are coaxed into complicated transactions that allow the scammers to steal equity from their home. -Credit Union members receiving fraudulent calls: Caller claims to be from Falcon or "the cardholder security department". Cardholders are being told their credit/debit card was compromised and they are asked for information to "re-activate" their card. Falcon will never ask for any account information. Their only purpose is to validate suspicious transactions and block your card if necessary. -Phishing email: Bogus email, claiming to be from CUNA, falsely reports that a data breach occured at Wal-Mart and instructs customers to "activate" enhanced card security on their debit or credit card by calling an 800#. Scammers will use the information provided for fraud. Don't fall for scams like this. Always contact the Credit Union or other financial institution directly if you are informed there is a problem with your account. -IRS scams: Scammers pose as IRS officials to obtain personal information. Taxpayers have been receiving phone calls and e-mails telling them everything from "they're eligible for a tax rebate" to "they're being audited and need to provide information" to "we sent you a refund that has not cleared, can you please verify your account information". The IRS does not ask for personal information of any kind through unsolicited e-mails or phone calls. You may report such e-mails and phone calls to the IRS online at phishing@irs.gov or by calling (800) 829-1040. -Phishing email: Scammers are attempting to obtain debit card information through a fraudulent email that claims it's from CUNA. The email states that irregular activity has occurred with your debit card and you must "re-activate" the card for your protection. -"Vishing": This is a variation of "phishing" and is short for "voice phishing". Scammers have figured out a method to change the name and phone number that shows up on your caller ID. This enables them to easily obtain information over the phone by posing as employees of financial institutions. They can also use this method to activate credit and debit cards by tricking the activation system into thinking they're calling from the cardholders home phone. To avoid being a victim, REMEMBER that financial institutions do not ask for personal information over the phone or through the internet. Also, keep track of cards you're expecting to receive in the mail and call if you don't get them. -Jury Duty Scam: You receive a call and the scammer identifies themselves as an officer of the court. They inform you that you failed to report for jury duty and a warrant is out for your arrest. You immediately get nervous and convey that you never received a notice. They say they need your SS# and DOB for "verification purposes" (which really means "identity theft purposes"). They may also suggest a solution-a fine payable by credit card. -Fraudulent Credit Union Emails: Members of several different credit unions have reported receiving emails informing them that their credit union account had been locked. The bogus email stated that they needed to click on a link, where they were asked for personal information, in order to reactivate their account. Some emails even included a stolen version of their credit union's logo. - Online scam promises grant money: Victims are lead to believe that grants may be available to them. The grants may be for college education, debt relief, or any other type of financial aid. Victims who apply for their grant receive a check (typically $4,975) along with a letter promising that a second, larger check will be sent once the grant broker's "commission" has been paid. The victim is directed to a website which instructs them to do one of two things (depending on the scam): 1. send the commission via Electronic Funds Transfer through the website, or 2. purchase a stored value credit card, load it with the "commission" amount, and e-mail the card number to the broker (who quickly liquidates the card). By the time the grant check is returned as "counterfeit" or "account closed", the victims money is long gone. - Fraudulent "work-from-home" jobs being offered: Scammers posing as executives from foreign companies are looking for "employees" to work from home processing US payments for them. The "employee" is told that payments for mail order merchandise are to be made out to them so they can cash them at their bank and take their 10% commission right off the top. The balance of payments are to be wired to the so-called company. The problem: the merchandise being purchased is either stolen or no merchandise is shipped at all. - Scheme targeting consumers' and their fear of security breaches relating to the recent TJX Company's data compromise. This phishing email claims to be from NCUA and warns recipients that "magnetic strip information was stored [by TJX Co.] and their PIN may have been captured", then strongly urges recipient to update their information within 48 hours by clicking on a link. The link directs them to a false website and asks for their credit union account number and PIN along with other personal information. Please be aware, NCUA does not deal directly with members of a credit union and would never request personal data. NCUA deals with credit union personnel on all such issues. - These scammers are slick-they've fraudulently obtained cardholder information (not necessarily any of our cardholders) and they call posing as an employee of the Security and Fraud Dept of VISA. They tell you your card has been flagged for suspicious activity and ask if you've made a purchase of an anti-telemarketing device for $497. When you reply "no", they say they'll be issuing you a credit and sending it to your address (which they actually have). They say they need to verify you are in possession of the card by obtaining the security numbers on the back (this is the information they need to use your card). They end the call by advising you to call the 800# on the back of your card with any questions.
WHAT'S THE BEST WAY TO AVOID GETTING SCAMMED? Simple: Do not provide personal information to anyone unless you initiate the contact. Not over the phone. Not by responding to emails that you "think" are legitimate. Not through the mail. Not in any way or at any time. |
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