What's New @ the VCU

2010 1st QTR Newsletter

 

Fraud Protection

Call Forwarding Scam:
A new identity theft scam uses call forwarding technology to empty victims' bank accounts.

In a typical case, a victim receives a phone call from someone who claims to be a bank employee investigating why correspondence from the bank has supposedly been returned. Then comes a series of leading questions designed to learn the name of the victim's bank, along with credit card and account numbers.

Impersonating the victim, the scammer contacts the victim's phone service provider to verify that the victim's line has call forwarding. Then, posing as a phone worker, the scammer instructs the victim either to leave the phone off the hook or not to answer it for an hour for system maintenance.

The scammer dials in codes that forward calls to a number controlled by the scammer. The scammer then uses the account information to transfer money out of the victim's account via Western Union and to make fraudulent credit card purchases. Call forwarding sends verification calls to the scammer, not the victim. Thousands of dollars can be stolen in this way in less than an hour.

Authorities warn against providing any personal or financial information over the phone unless you have initiated the call and have obtained the number from an independent source, such as the telephone directory.

Scam Alert:
To avoid becoming a victim of fraud, do not provide personal information, account numbers, banking or credit card numbers, PINs or log-on IDs through email links, text messages, or pop-up windows. If you receive a call or text message stating that it is from Vons Credit Union requesting this information, please do not respond and contact us by phone at 626.444.1972, Ext. 401.

Safe Online Practices:
There are several scams designed to steal your identity and your money online. Vons Credit Union will never send you directly to an application form or a web page asking for your personal account data including credit card and PIN information.

As a safe practice, when you have requested a secure page within a website please be sure to check the URL or web address to ensure it matches the official domain name of that organization.




CUISPA (Credit Union Information Security Professionals Association) has issued an alert for a phone and SMS phishing attack that is in progress, representing at least five credit unions in the northeast. The 'smishes" are being distributed by phone and text message.

The SMS messages follow a similar script: "This is an automated message from Bank Fund Staff FCU. Your ATM card has been suspended. To reactivate call 1-410-910-0787." The voice message caller IDs are coming from Florida, Ohio, Texas, or Maryland.

The voice messages are also automated suggesting that the Bank Fund Staff account holder's card has been suspended and requesting the listener to press 1 for more information.
Pressing 1 transfers to a follow-up request for the account number, PIN, authorization code, etc.

The SMS message ID is coming from number 5000, not providing an actual return number.

If anyone is experiencing this attack, please send information to alerts@cuispa.org or log into the CUISPA Alerts Forum at https://alerts.cuispa.org to post a comment/reply.


Click here for more information

Traveling Tips
When traveling to any destination far from home, it is always wise to take more than one means of currency access with you. This will protect you if, for example, your credit card is lost, stolen, damaged or blocked due to potential fraud. Always take an alternate credit card along to protect yourself in case of emergency. Another practical backup plan can also be American Express Traveler's Checks, available at no charge at any Vons Credit Union branch.

Have a great trip and don't forget that our partners at CU on Vacation can help you with travel plans, regardless of your destination!

 


Phishing attacks continue to target Credit Union members, and the number of attacks is on the rise. Phishing is a type of fraud using email that appears to be from legitimate companies in an attempt to obtain your personal information. The most recent phishing attacks reported have been emails posing to be from Vons Credit Union. The emails contain links to fraudulent sites where you are prompted to key in personal and financial information. This information is then captured by the sender of the email in an attempt to steal your identity. Phishing emails can be very deceiving and often contain logos or have a look similar to the actual web site.

Vons Credit Union will never send an email requesting personal account information. If you see an email supposedly sent by Vons Credit Union which asks for personal account information, it is a phishing scam.

Should you receive one of these emails:

  • Do NOT click the link in the email.
  • Do NOT enter any requested information.
  • Contact the Vons Credit Union Call Center at (800) 488-8328
  • Forward the email to webhelp@vonscu.com.
Follow these tips to protect personal information:
  • Be suspicious of any email asking for personal information. Legitimate companies will not ask for this information via email.
  • Never reply to a suspicious email or follow any links.
  • Verify the legitimacy of any unexpected email with the company and report to them any suspicious emails received.
  • Never provide financial information to anyone via email as it is not secure. Always use secure web sites.
  • Review all credit card and financial statements regularly for fraudulent activity.

Select a Link below to view an image of the fraudulent email and related pages.
 
 

Vons Credit Union Fraudulent Email
Credit Union National Association (CUNA)
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

 

 

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