Consumer Alert!!
IMPORTANT NOTICE!
(as of 8.19.08)
Some credit union members and non-members are receiving e-mails, phone text messaging, or phone calls from scam artists posing as the credit union. They may look or sound somewhat authentic. These "phishing scams " ask for sensitive information, such as, online banking pin numbers, savings & checking account numbers, social security number, date of birth, ATM/Debit & VISA card numbers, etc. The e-mail may also contain a "special offer", such as, "receive $ credit to your account" by providing the information OR "your online banking access has expired or will be shut down" if you do not respond or provide the sensitive information. Sometimes a link to a "fraudulent site" is contained within the e-mail or phone text message. It may even have a phone number to call. To protect your information and identity - DO NOT RESPOND!
DIRECTIONS CREDIT UNION WILL NEVER ASK FOR SENSITIVE INFORMATION IN THIS FASHION via PHONE CALL, E-MAIL, OR PHONE TEXT MESSAGING.
*If you feel you have compromised your account or your identity in any way by responding to these, please contact us at 419-841-9838.
*If you receive one of these e-mails and/or suspect that an e-mail is fraudulant, please contact us at 419-841-9838 ext 1126 or ext 1137.
Phishing Internet/E-mail Scam
Internet scammers casting about for people’s financial information have a new way to lure unsuspecting victims: They go "phishing". Phishing is a high-tech scam that uses spam to deceive consumers into disclosing their credit card numbers, bank account information, Social Security numbers, passwords and other sensitive information. Directions CU will never contact you for this sensitive information. In a typical case, you’ll receive an email that appears to come from a reputable company that you recognize and do business with - or even from a government or regulatory agency. The e-mail will probably warn you of a serious problem that requires your immediate attention. The e-mail will then encourage you to click on a button to go to the institution’s web site to update your account information. In a phishing scam you could be redirected to a phony web site for the purpose of harvesting your financial information. By providing the requested information, you may find yourself the victim of identity theft.
If you are suspicious of any email asking for personal information or if you have provided information but felt later it was not legitimate, contact your financial institution immediately to alert them. You can also contact spam@uce.gov to report it to the government. For more information on "phishing", click the link below.
NCUA (National Credit Union Administration) Announcement
Recently, there have been multiple e-mail fraud attempts, known as "phishing", initiated via e-mail sent to both the general public and to some credit union members that appeared to be from NCUA. This false e-mail asked for the recipient to click on a link to verify their credit union account registration. If the recipient proceeded to do so, the link directed them to a false Web site and asked for their credit union account number and PIN, along with other personal information.
NCUA does not ask credit unions or its members for such personal information. Anyone who receives an e-mail that purports to be from NCUA and asks for account information should consider it to be a fraudulent attempt to obtain their personal account data for an illegal purpose and should not follow the instructions in the e-mail.
If you feel that you have received a fraudulent phishing e-mail purportedly from NCUA, please forward the entire e-mail message to phishing@ncua.gov
Identity Theft
Identity theft is a serious crime. This occurs when someone uses your personal information such as your name, Social Security number, credit card number or other identifying information without your permission to commit fraud or other crimes. Protect yourself! For further information and helpful tips, click the link below.
Federal Trade Commission - Spam, Fraudulent E-mails
Federal Trade Commission - Tips on How to Help Protect Yourself from Identity Theft
