Smishing Scam
Credit unions across the country are reporting that their member’s are receiving unsolicited text messages. It’s an attempt at Smishing, the latest form of phishing. In Smishing, an e-mail tries to lure a recipient into giving personal information via SMS, the communications protocol used to send text messages to a wireless device. The recent scam is targeting credit union and other financial institution members.
In smishing, the members receive a text message via cell phone warning that their bank account has been closed due to suspicious activity. It then tells them they need to call a certain phone number to reactivate the account.
Unsuspecting callers who dial the number provided in the text message will be taken to an automated voice mail box that prompts them to key in their credit card or debit card number, expiration date, and PIN to verify their information.
If you have a question concerning your account or credit/debit card, contact your financial institution using a telephone number obtained independently, such as the phone number from your statement, a telephone book, or other independent means.
Loss Prevention Recommendations:
- Don’t display your wireless phone number or e-mail address in public. This includes newsgroups, chat rooms, Web sites, or membership directories.
- If you open an unwanted message, send a stop or opt out message in response.
- Check the privacy policy when submitting your wireless phone number or e-mail address to any Web site. Find out if the policy allows the company to sell your information.
- Contact your wireless or Internet service provider about unwanted messages.
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NEW EMAIL SCAM SENT TO SC TELCO MEMBER-
Be aware that phishers continue to send emails asking you to click a link to update your account information. NEVER GIVE OUT YOUR BANKING INFORMATION at the request of an unsolicited email.
Detecting a fraudulent e-mail can be difficult. Here are a few things to keep in mind:
- Be suspicious of any e-mail with urgent requests for personal financial information.
- Don't use the links in such an e-mail.
- Phisher e-mails are typically NOT personalized.
Below is a sample email received by a member of SC Telco. THIS EMAIL IS FRAUDULENT! Do not respond to these emails nor should you click any links found in emails of this nature.
Dear MAX Credit Union client,
You have received this email because you or someone had used your account from different locations. For security purpose, we are required to open an investigation into this matter.
In order to safeguard your account, we require that you confirm your banking details.
The help speed up to this process, please access the following link so we can complete the verification of your MAX Online Branch Account registration information.
(Link removed by SC Telco FCU)
If we do no receive the appropriate account verification within 48 hours, then we will assume this MAX Credit Union account is fraudulent and will be suspended.
The purpose of this verification is to ensure that your bank account has not been fraudulently used and to combat the fraud from our community.
We appreciate your support and understanding and thank you for your prompt attention to this matter.
© Copyright 2008 MAX Credit Union, All right reserved.
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EMAIL SCAM TARGETS CREDIT UNION MEMBERS
Several credit unions have contacted CUNA Mutual to report recent phishing attempts designed to obtain several key pieces of personal information.
The fraudsters' e-mail starts by suggesting that you can help the government fight terrorism and related money laundering by verifying your personal information. Then, they attempt to lead consumers to a counterfeit Web site designed to trick recipients into divulging financial data, such as credit card numbers, account user names, passwords and Social Security numbers.
Detecting a fraudulent e-mail can be difficult. Here are a few things to keep in mind:
- Be suspicious of any e-mail with urgent requests for personal financial information.
- Don't use the links in such an e-mail.
- Phisher e-mails are typically NOT personalized.
Below is a copy of a recent phishing attempt that was reported to CUNA Mutual.
Notice to All Members!
Valued Member,
To help the government fight the funding of terrorism and money laundering activities, Federal law requires all Credit Unions to obtain, verify, and record information that identifies each person who has an account, including investors in transactions for which we act as advisor.
What this means for you:
If you are a member of any Credit Union please provide your name, social security number, address, and date of birth, financial information and/or other information that will allow us to identify you. We may also ask to see your driver's license or other identifying documents.
Please follow the link below to continue:
(Link removed by SC Telco)
We appreciate your cooperation with this. Thank you.
Sincerely,
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Walmart Secret Shopper Scam Reaching Consumers
Walmart has become the focus of a recent scam reaching consumers. Individuals are receiving a fraudulent check that appears to be from Walmart. They are requested to be a secret shopper for Walmart's wire service. The instructions tell the individual to deposit the check, wire money to different places (via Walmart's wire service), and to evaluate the service they receive while doing the wire. They are instructed to retain part of the money from the check in return for their service. Unfortunately the check is fraudulent so the funds are not good. Therefore, the individual is out the entire amount of the wire.
Please be cautious and DO NOT attempt to deposit checks from someone that requests that you wire some of the money elsewhere. Visit http://www.consumeraction.gov/ for information about how and where to file a fraud complaint.
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TELEPHONE SCAM OFFERS "BUSH TAX REFUND"
Several South Carolinians said they have received phone calls offering to automatically
deposit the tax refunds promised in President Bush’s economic-stimulus plan.
One problem: The tax refunds aren’t real yet. Congress is still debating the plan. The first
complaints came Friday, January 25, 2008 — the day after Bush unveiled his proposal.
Scammers are trying to get bank account information from unsuspecting taxpayers who have
heard about Bush’s plan for one-time rebates ranging from $600 to $1,200, state officials
said.
The S.C. Department of Consumer Affairs said it has received more than 20 calls statewide
about crooks trying to swipe financial information.
The calls are fairly similar: A person claims to be from the IRS or the tax department of the
Social Security Administration wanting to verify the consumer’s bank information to
automatically deposit the “Bush tax refund.”
So far, one Midlands woman has told Consumer Affairs that she shared her account numbers
with a scammer, spokeswoman Alice Brooks said.
The woman quickly realized she had been duped and dialed the number left on her caller ID
from the supposed tax official.
Unfortunately, Brooks said, the number belonged to a Dallas health club.
Source: http://www.thestate.com/business/story/300961.html
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*** NEW EMAIL SCAM TARGETS CREDIT UNION MEMBERS***
A new email scam is targeting credit union members and informing them that their credit union has merged with America’s Credit Union. THIS IS A SCAM. SC Telco has not merged with anyone nor will we ask you to provide any account information via email. A copy of the email received by one of our members is below (We have removed all links listed in the email). If you receive this email DELETE IT! Do not click on ANY of the links listed in the email. If you have any questions about this email scam, feel free to call us at 1-800-922-0446.
Dear FCU/CU account holder
This notice informs you that your CREDIT UNION bank has joined our AMERICA'S CREDIT UNION ( NCU/FCU/CU ) network .For both, ours and your security, we are asking you to activate an online account on our database.
Fill the form to activate your online account by clicking on the link bellow.
***LINK REMOVED BY SC TELCO FCU***
In accordance with AMERICA'S CREDIT UNION User Agreement, you can use your online account in 24 hours after activation. We thank you for your prompt attention this matter.
Sincerely AMERICA'S CREDIT UNION review Department
In accordance with AMERICA'S CREDIT UNION User Agreement, you can use your online account in 24 hours after activation. We thank you for your prompt attenttionto this matter.
Sincerly AMERICA'S CREDIT UNION review Department
This site is directed at or made available to persons in the United States and Credit Union customers only. Persons outside the United States may visit ***LINK REMOVED BY SC TELCO FCU***. Products and services described, as well as associated fees, charges, interest rates, and balance requirements may differ among geographic locations. Not all products and services are offered at all locations.
Copyright © 2008 - Credit Union National Association, Inc
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***WELCOME TO OUR BRAND NEW WEB SITE***
Welcome to the all new SC Telco FCU web site. We hope that you will find this web site useful and informative. Because this site is so radically different than our previous site, we put together this user's guide to help you navigate your way to financial freedom. If at any point you have questions about the web site, click the Web Administrator button in the lower left hand of any page and email us your question or concern. Again, thank you for being our member. At SC Telco, It's About The Member!
NAVIGATION:
If at any point you want to go back to the home page, simply click the SC TELCO Logo at the top of any page.
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To navigate from page to page, you must utilize the navigation menu on the left hand side of every page. Each navigation option, or link, is unique in the information offered and how it functions on the web site. You see pictured to the left that some links have "Sub-Menus" that are accessed when you move your mouse on top of or "mouse-over" a link. In this example, the mouse was moved over the words "Personal Deposit Service" and the sub menu for that category appeared. From the sub menu, you may choose your topic by clicking it with your mouse.
Some links on the navigation menu do not have sub menus. In this instance, simply click the word on the navigation menu to reach your destination. As an example, click the "Current Promotions" link on the navigation menu to view the latest promotions offered by SC Telco. |
INTERACTION:
We have added an awesome new tutorial that shows you how to apply online for Loans. Click here to go to SC TELCO-VISION. On this page, we will show you how to apply online using a Flash movie. Once you have familiarized yourself with how to apply online, you may then click the links to our online loan applications and within a matter of MINUTES, your application will be complete. It's safe, secure, and most importantly convenient.
EDUCATION:
We are pleased to announce the addition of SC TEL U, our online university resource for topics that interest you as a member of SC Telco. At SC TEL U, you will find valuable information on topics such as budgeting, avoiding scams, raising your credit score and much, much more! To visit our university, click the SC TEL U logo located on the navigation menu.
IMPORTANT ANNOUNCEMENTS:
Our web site is the first line of defense when it comes to getting information out to our members in a timely manner. Look for important announcements on our home page. They will appear highlighted in yellow just above the pictures on the home page. This is the same location that you clicked to get to this page. Inclement weather closings or delays, phishing scams that are targeting our members and other important information will be posted here.
ARE YOU LOST?
If you are searching for a page that you can't seem to find through the navigation menu, click Site Map in the navigation menu and you'll be able to view all the links located on our site.
We hope you enjoy your web experience with SC Telco. Remember to click our logo at the top of the page to return to our home page.
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