Fraud and Scam Awareness: Alerts
On this page we’ll post the latest scams that you should watch out for.
For more fraud alerts, visit the
Federal Trade Commission’s Consumer Alerts page or the FBI's fraud alert pages.
February 2009--Phishing scams sent to mobile devices via text message
A few people have recently reported receiving fraudulent
text messages on their mobile phone or other device. The messages may inform the reader
that their account has been closed because of inactivity or some other message designed
to frighten the receiver into action. If you receive a message like this, it is a
phishing attempt. Do not reply to the text message. If a phone number or website
address was provided in the text message, do not call or visit them.
If you have concerns about your account, always call the
number that you know for certain will connect you with your financial institution.
You can contact Northwest Community Credit Union at 1-800-452-9515 or visit any branch
for information about your account.
If you use Account Alerts on your mobile device, please
note that we will not request information from you via text message. The best advice
on how to avoid getting netted into a scam is to be alert, cautious and calm. It’s wise
to be especially skeptical of requests for your confidential information in any
electronic form.
Read about other common scams to watch for.
January 2009—Beware of keystroke loggers; what they do and tips to help you stay safe
There have been recent reports of thieves trying to use
information harvested via key-logging software from home computers. These thieves have
tried to use stolen personal and login information to request money transfers from
accounts at some local financial institutions. What are key-loggers and how can you
avoid getting one on your computer? Read more here.
November 2008--Phishing attempts a new twist on the same old scam
Oregon residents have recently reported receiving
fraudulent emails by scammers attempting to collect confidential financial
information. These emails have been made to appear that they were sent by any of
a number of local credit unions. The actual messages may vary, but the following is
a common example:
“All accounts were recently update with a new security enhancement. For
your security, we have temporary suspended your account. To reactivate your account
please call us:” (A fraudulent number is then provided to hook those tempted to call.)
Though some scammers may make the messages seem
authentic by warning you not to click links in emails or provide personal or account
information via email, these emails are still part of an attempt to swindle you
into divulging your confidential information.
What you should do: Stay calm and cautious. Do not call
the number provided in the email.
What to do if you’ve become a victim: If you think you
may have accidentally released your confidential Northwest Community Credit Union
account information to scammers, contact us immediately at 1-800-452-9515 or visit your
local branch. Also report
it to local police and the FBI's Internet Crime Complaint Center.
What we’re doing: We have reported these fraudulent
emails to the appropriate authorities who are working to shut down the scam operation
and catch the criminals running it.
July 2008--Vishing and Phishing Scam targets local CU members
Be on the alert, this scam is going around again. Members
of several local Credit Unions have recently reported receiving fraudulent phone calls
(known as Vishing) and emails (known as Phishing). If you receive one of these calls
or emails, you might be told that your account has been suspended for some reason.
Often, the reason that the scammers give is something frightening such as “suspicious
activity” on your account.
Please remember: Your Northwest Community Credit Union
member information has not been compromised. These scammers are making calls to local
area residents at random.
What to do if you receive a suspicious call or email:
Keep a cool head, don’t panic, and don’t share any information. Hang up immediately
and/or don’t reply to the email. Scammers design their messages to scare you into
sharing your personal and account information before you think things through. Do not
call any phone numbers provided by the scammer’s message. Legitimate financial
institutions will never request account information from you via phone or email… they
already have it.
What to do if you’ve become a victim: If you think
you may have accidentally released your confidential Northwest Community Credit Union
account information to scammers, contact us immediately at 1-800-452-9515. Also report
it to local police and the
FBI's Internet Crime Complaint Center.
Read about other common scams
to watch for.
July 2008--Vishing Scam targets local CU members
Beware, this scam is going around again. Members of
several local Credit Unions have recently reported receiving fraudulent phone calls
(known as Vishing). If you receive one of these calls, you might get a pre-recorded
message informing you that your account has been suspended for some reason. Often, the
reason that the scammers give is something frightening such as “suspicious activity” on
your account.
If you receive a message like this, keep a cool head and
don’t panic. Scammers design their messages to scare you into entering your personal
and account information before you think things through. Don’t share your account or
personal information with the caller and don’t call back any phone numbers that the
caller provides. If you have questions about your accounts, always call the number
you know for certain is your financial institution’s official phone number. For
instance, you can reach Northwest Community Credit Union’s Phone Branch at
1-800-452-9515. Your financial institution will never request account information
from you via phone or email.
February 2008--Scammers pretend to be the IRS in Phishing scam
Again this year scammers are trying to rob taxpayers of
their identity by pretending to be representatives from the IRS. A commonly seen scam
attempt this year is an email which informs you that the IRS is showing that you are
eligible for a refund and to claim it, you should visit a website and enter in your
personal information. Beware; it is a scam.
The best way to avoid being netted into a scam is to be
alert, cautious and never rush into decisions. In this electronic age, it’s wise to
always be very skeptical of requests for information made via email or over the phone.
The IRS and legitimate financial institutions will not request confidential account or
personal information via email or voicemail.
If you are looking for a safe way to file your taxes
online, visit Oregon State’s list of approved secure tax websites.
January 2008--Another Phishing tool for fraudsters: Your Fax Machine
Business owners and other fax users beware; this new scam
comes to you via your fax machine. The Credit Union Association of Oregon (CUAO) has
been alerted of a fax attempt to obtain customer information in the form of a customer
satisfaction survey. The faxed survey request notes that no sales are involved, it is
confidential and that appointments will be taken to conduct the survey. There is also
a “hook”, each survey participant is to receive $150.00, or can choose to have their
$150.00 sent to the charity of their choice. Do not respond as this fax is a scam. It
is not common practice for legitimate organizations to conduct a customer satisfaction
survey in trade for confidential information on the phone, via email or over fax.
The most important tip for avoiding most scams is to stay
informed and be very cautious. Read about other common scams
to watch for.
November 2007--Vishing scam reported by Bend residents
Several local members in the Bend area have reported
receiving a telephone (vishing) scam this week. This phone call may state that
fraudulent activities have recently been found on your credit or debit card and that
you should call a number that is offered (often an 800 or 888 number). "Vishing" is
when criminals attempt to trick you into giving away your account and personal
information by scaring you and making you think they're an organization that you trust.
Vishing (telephone) and Phishing (eMail/Website) are becoming a widespread problem
everywhere. Your best defense is to be aware and very skeptical if you're asked to
give out your information over the phone or on a website. Never send personal or
account information over eMail.
August 2007--Phishing and Vishing Scam targets local CU members
Members of several local Credit Unions (including
Northwest Community CU, Oregon Community CU, First Tech CU, and EWEB Employees CU)
have recently reported receiving fraudulent pre-recorded phone calls (known as Vishing)
and fraudulent eMail (known as Phishing). These messages are designed to scare people
into entering their personal and account information at fraudulent websites or telephone
numbers. Click here for more important details.
August 2007--VISA cardholders; be on the alert for telephone scam
We have recently learned that a phone call and subsequent
fraudulent voicemail is being placed to VISA cardholders advising that their card data
must be updated. The voicemail asks for the recipient to dial an 800 number and then
enter their 16 digit card number. The perpetrators will make the message seem very
legitimate and possibly even use the name of a financial institution that you bank at.
While none our members have reported being targeted by this scam, it has been reported
by members of another credit union in Oregon, so please be on the alert.
In general, financial institutions will not request
confidential account or personal information via voicemail.
July 2007--Beware of Telephone Fraud that Involves Jury Duty
The FBI is warning the public about an ongoing scheme
involving jury service. Please be aware that individuals identifying themselves as
U.S. court employees have been contacting citizens by phone and advising them that
they have been selected for jury duty. These individuals ask citizens to verify
names and social security numbers and then ask for their credit card numbers. If
the request is refused, citizens are then threatened with fines.
View details on this scam on the FBI's website.
April 2007--Phishing website imitates CU Service Centers (CUSC)
If you’re the target of this phishing scam, you
will receive an eMail in your inbox that invites you to take an on-line survey from
CUSC in turn for $50 deposited into your bank account. When you click on the link in
the eMail you will be directed to a fraudulent website with several questions to answer
and then a place for you to put in your bank account and online banking information so
that you might receive your reward. Beware! Any information that you submit to this
site may be used by criminals to steal your money or commit identity theft.
Detecting phishing scams can be tricky. Be wary anytime
an eMail directs you to a website that asks you to enter personal or financial
information. Even if a website looks completely official, it might be a fraudulent
website in disguise. One thing that might help you identify a fraudsters’ ploy is to
carefully inspect the address of the website you’re being asked to visit. Make sure
that the name of the website is spelled correctly and is the first thing listed after
http://. Also, when you click on a link, check to make sure the address of the page
you end up on is legitimate. A link might be written to look like a legitimate address,
but it will actually take you to a completely different website when you click on it.
If in doubt, check it out. If you have any doubt
at all that the site asking you for personal information is legit, get help.
Visit Microsoft’s website and learn more about phishing scams.
April 2007--Counterfeiters create fraudulent Northwest Community CU counter checks
In a new twist on an old fraud tactic, criminals have
been sending out counterfeit counter checks that appear to have come from a legitimate
organization: your credit union.
Keep your eyes open for this scam as the perpetrators may also use other credit
union or bank logos to create these bogus checks. The checks are mailed with a letter
appearing to be from a Lotto Commission informing you that you're the winner of
thousands of dollars in prize money.
The counterfeit check is supposed to be an advance of part of your winnings, but is
really used by the criminals to get you excited and also to make you trust them more,
since the check appears to come from a trusted financial institution. With this
enthusiasm, you might be enticed to call the 1-900 number that they included for
support. (Remember that by dialing a 1-900 number, you are agreeing to pay a fee for
every minute you are on the line. This might add up to hundreds of dollars.) Also, you
might be willing to send the criminals a check for the “taxes” or “handling fees” that
you owe on your winnings that they say they must have before they release your winnings
to you.
Free money is exciting and very tempting, right? Don’t
be fooled. Here are some things that should make you suspicious:
- You receive a check out of the blue for a contest you don’t recall entering.
If you don’t remember entering, you probably didn’t. It's wise to be suspicious by default of offers of free money.
- You have to pay a fee to get more money released to you.
Money orders can take quite a while to clear so in the meant time, you send payment, to the scam artist before you have time to realize the first “money order” is bogus. The scam artists can then disappear with your money and/or your credit card information.
- You are asked to call a 900-number for support.
When you call the 900-number you pay huge fees through your phone company. Off-shore operators get their money right away from such numbers and you are obliged to pay the bill.
- The letter comes from someone outside the country.
Bahamas, Peru and Nigeria are famous havens for con operations.
- The letter is poorly written and has grammatical errors.
This indicates that the letter came from outside the country.
If you suspect that you have received a scam letter
like this one, check with the Better Business Bureau or Federal Trade Commission to see if there
is litigation already in progress. Your local authorities may also have resources for
you. For more information about similar frauds, visit the FBI's
article on Advance Fee Schemes.
March 2007--Counterfeiters Target Supermarket Self-check-out Customers
If you’re in the self-check-out at your local supermarket,
beware. The person in front of you that is having trouble getting the kiosk to accept
his or her cash may be a swindler. If a person asks you to swap bills with them, protect
yourself by checking for the bill’s security features. Counterfeit $20 bills have
recently been traded to trusting good samaritans in the area.
February 2007--Scam Targets Comcast Customers
Many of our members use Comcast to access the internet
and a few have seen this fraudulent eMail in their inboxes. Beware! This phishing scam
will appear to have come from Comcast and will often be titled “Payment Failed” or
“Customer service alert.” Enclosed in the eMail will be a link to a website where the
criminals ask you to submit your personal information and credit card numbers. The
subject line and the message of the eMail can vary, so be cautious. For more
information about this scam, visit Comcast’s
website.
January 2007--Scam Targets VISA Cardholders
Be on the lookout for a fraudulent eMail that will appear
to have come from VISA, Arcot or Verified by VISA. This eMail falsely states that a
your card has been automatically enrolled in a program to protect its security and
asks that you take a moment to activate your account. As added incentive to visit
their fraudulent website, the criminals state that if you do not activate your card it
will be temporarily disabled. THIS IS A SCAM. Visiting the website included in the
eMail and submitting your information will likely result in your information being
used to commit identity theft. Click here to read how you
can protect yourself from credit scams.
January 2007--TJ Maxx and Other TJX Companies Hit by Data Breach
Some customer information was compromised when hackers
broke into computer systems storing customer transaction data for TX Maxx, Marshalls,
HomeGoods and AJ Wright stores. Visit the TJX website for
more details about this breach and what you can do if you think your information
may have been compromised.
January 2007--“Nigerian” Scam Reaches Epidemic Proportions
This scam has been around for many years, but more and
more consumers still are falling for it. Has someone claiming to be from another
country contacted you and requested help transferring money out of their country?
Click here for details on this scam.
January 2007--Scam Alert: Thieves Booby-trap ATMs
This scam has been around for a number of years, but it
has been seen recently in Oregon and Washington. It involves criminals inserting a
“trap” into the card reader of an ATM. The trap is made of a dark material and is not
readily distinguishable from the slot of the machine. When a card is inserted into the
slot, the trap will cause the card to become stuck in the machine. This is when the
thief approaches the unsuspecting victim and offers to help get the card back. What the
criminal is really trying to do is observe the victim type in his or her PIN. After a
few minutes of fiddling with the machine, the victim and the criminal leave the ATM
together. When the victim has left the area, the thief returns to the ATM and pulls out
the trap containing the card. Once the criminal has freed the card from the trap, he or
she proceeds to use the card to withdraw money from the victim’s account using the PIN
that was observed.
If you visit an ATM and believe that your card might have
become “trapped,” look closely at the card slot. If you see what appear to be folded
slips of film stuck to the outside of the slot, you may be able to remove the trap
yourself by peeling the film off and pulling the trap (and your card) out of the
machine. Be sure to notify the financial institution immediately.
January 2007--Check Overpayment Scams: Seller Beware
According to FTC officials, the scams work like this:
Someone responds to your posting or ad (for a Vehicle or other high price item), and
offers to use a cashier’s check, personal check or corporate check to pay for the item
you’re selling. At the last minute, the so-called buyer (or the buyer’s “agent”) comes
up with a reason for writing the check for more than the purchase price, and asks you
to wire back the difference after you deposit the check. You deposit the check and
wire the funds back to the “buyers.” Later, the check bounces, leaving you liable for
the entire amount. The checks are counterfeit, says the FTC, but good enough to fool
unsuspecting bank tellers.
In a different version of the scam, the FTC says,
consumers get a check that has their “winnings” from a lottery. They’re asked to pay
taxes or fees. Sometimes, the sender claims to be trapped in a foreign country without
any way to cash the check. Either way, federal officials say, if you deposit the check,
you’ll lose. View more information on this scam on the FTC website.