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.
March 2008--Phishing scams sent to mobile devices via text message
A few people have reported receiving a fraudulent text message on their mobile phone or
other device. This message may inform the reader that their account has been closed because
of inactivity or some other alarming message. If you receive a message like this, it is
most likely a phishing scam. Do not reply to the text message or use the contact
information that the text message might have included.
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.
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.