Schemes, Scams & ID Theft

The latest scams & schemes • Identity theft • Teen Space

January 25, 2012 --ATM/Debit Email Fraud (Scam)

The latest e-mail scam has hit member in-boxes -- and you are advised to "hit delete" and not respond to the links provided. Please know that you will never receive an email from your credit union regarding potential fraudulent ATM/Debit transactions -- your credit union will CALL YOU by telephone, if there is an issue.

The scam email starts with, "To protect your account, we monitor your ATM/Debit card transactions for potentially fraudulent activity. The company your credit union works has subscribed to this monitoring service." It then lists transacations, countries and amounts, and asks the consumer to click on the links provided.

Please do NOT click on the links, or provide your information -- just hit "delete." If at any time you receive a communication regarding your account, before responding, contact ICCU to verify. Scammers are becoming incredibly creative in their techniques. Outsmart them by hanging up or deleting the message.

Students & ID Theft: Students under the age of 25 are the fastest growing segment of the US population to have their identity stolen. Encourage the young people in your life to review their credit report for free. ICCU will also help, just stop by the Isabella Road office for a FREE CREDIT REPORT REVIEW with a loan officer -- it takes about 20 minutes.

For an archived list of local schemes & scams, check out "Articles & Resources" to the left.

Basic Tips to Protecting Your Money and Identity:

Trust your gut. If something doesn't feel right, it most likely is not.
If in doubt about an "offer" -- just hit "delete" or simply hang up.
Have a question? Call your credit union. As ICCU says, "no financial question is too silly"
Not all websites are legitimate, although they may appear to be legit, they may be fakes. Click carefully.
Monitor your ICCU account -- daily if possible, using "It'sMe247" (link on home page).

Spot Fake Payments in Mailbox: AARP Article titled "Reality Check" by Sid Kirchheimer

The Latest -- Schemes and Email Scams:

FIB -- Common Fraud Schemes

Here are some warning signs of telemarketing fraud—what a caller may tell you:

"You must act 'now' or the offer won't be good."
"You've won a 'free' gift, vacation, or prize." But you have to pay for "postage and handling" or other charges.
"You must send money, give a credit card or bank account number, or have a check picked up by courier." You may hear this before you have had a chance to consider the offer carefully.
"You don't need to check out the company with anyone." The callers say you do not need to speak to anyone including your family, lawyer, accountant, local Better Business Bureau, or consumer protection agency.
"You don't need any written information about their company or their references."
"You can't afford to miss this 'high-profit, no-risk' offer."

If you hear these or similar "lines" from a telephone salesperson, just say "no thank you" and hang up the telephone.

May 23, 2011 -- An ICCU member called to tell us that someone posing as the "Federal Banking Security Office," called her to say that "they wanted to help her stop money being withdrawn from her account." They asked for her account information, and fortunately she was smart enough to say "I am going to call my credit union first, to check it out." As she finished the sentence, the caller hung up on her. Keep in mind...ICCU will not call you to ask for your account information, we have it.

Feb 2011 -- Mail Scam: Take a Survey: The FDIC (Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation) has notified financial institutions that fraudulent e-mails are being sent across the nation. Although NCUA (National Credit Union Administration) insures credit unions, and the FDIC insures banks -- many are confused, and assuming the emails are from their credit union, which they are not.

The emails ask consumers to "take part in a five question survey," and "will put $50 into your account as a thank you." The consumer is then directed to a link that appears legitimate, but it is NOT. It is a fraudulent link, designed to gather your information. The "survey" asks for personal account information. Do not click on it, or give personal or financial information.

If you receive an email like this, asking for your personal information, do NOT respond.
Never, ever, ever give your account number or any personal information through a weblink.
The FDIC, the NCUA and your credit union do not solicit consumers with emails asking for account information.

Identity Theft:

ID Theft Websites: For safe, quality resources for all your ID Theft questions and needs, look to the left under "Articles and Resources" then click on "ID Theft Websites."

Placing a Fraud Alert on Your Credit Report; The resource, "Take Charge: Fighting Back Against ID Theft" (left) offers step-by-step instructions on page five regarding how to place a fraud alert on your credit report, and review your credit report.

The following is an excerpt from that document, which can be downloaded FREE by clicking on the booklet (left).

Note: It may take a few minutes for the page to load.

Fraud alerts can prevent an identity thief from opening any more accounts in your name. Contact the toll-free numbers of any of the three consumer reporting agencies below to place a fraud alert on your credit report.

You only need to contact ONE of the three companies to place an alert. The company you call is required to contact the other two, which will place an alert on their version of your report also.

Equifax: 1-800-525-6285 - PO Box 740241, Atlanta GA 30374-0241
Experian: 1-888-EXPERIAN (888-397-3742) - PO Box 9532, Allen TX 75013
TransUnion: 1-800-680-7289 - Fraud Victim Assistance Division - PO Box 6790, Fullerton CA 92834

Once you place a fraud alert in your file, you are are entitled to order a FREE copy of your credit report, and if you ask, only the last four digits of your social security number will appear on your credit reports.