Identiy Theft

A One Stop Financial Center of Olyphant and Scranton

Identity Theft

Please become an informed member ---Do Not Become a Victim of Identity Theft NEVER give any Personal Information out email or over the telephone!!

NET will never ask you for any account or personal information in an email.
Recent example of fraudster ingenuity is the use of Voice over Internet Protocol (VoIP) phones to steal member’s financial information. This scam is called “vishing” – short for “voice phishing”.

There are at least two “Vishing” methodologies scammers use.

Online version
The scammer sends a blast e-mail, disguised to appear as though it’s from your credit union, bank, online payment service or other well-known business”. The e-mail, which may have a trusted logo, typically reports a “security” problem with the recipient’s account and urges the member to call a telephone number to “straighten things out”.

Although members know better than to click on hyperlinks in strange e-mails for fear of being “phished,” they often feel safe calling a telephone number that appears to be local or toll-free. When the member calls, they reach an automated attendant prompting them to enter their account number, password or other private information for “security verification” purposes.

Cold Call

Some “vishers” use automated dialing programs to “cold call” members. The members caller ID device may list a legitimate-looking local phone number, to inspire trust from the recipient. A prerecorded message (or sometimes a live “employee”) claims the member’s account has been compromised or needs updating or verification. The member is asked to enter their account information , which is digitally transcribed onto the hard drive of the scammer’s computer.

BE AWARE – DON’T BE FOOLED

MEMBER ALERT

BE CAUTIOUS, DO NOT ALLOW YOURSELF TO BECOME A VICTIM OF REBATE SCAMS

UNSCRUPULOUS PEOPLE ARE POSING AS IRS EMPLOYEES AND ASKING FOR PERSONAL INFORMATION. THEY ARE TELLING THOSE THEY CALL THAT THEY WILL NOT RECEIVE THE REBATE IF THEY DO NOT FURNISH THIS INFORMATION. EVERYONE SHOULD KNOW THAT THIS IS NOT TRUE.

NEVER, NEVER GIVE OUT ANY PERSONAL INFORMATION TO ANYONE CLAIMING TO BE ANY TYPE OF AUDITOR, IRS EMPLOYEE OR ANY TYPE OF GOVERNMENT EMPLOYEE.

4-19-07

A NEW WRINKLE FOR SCAMS

Scammers are constantly on the move to find new ways to get your personal account information so that they may “relieve you of your assets.” The latest ploy is an email, which appears to come from your credit union, asking you to complete a quick survey. The message states that “in return, we will credit $20 to your account.” THIS IS A PHISHING SCAM. DO NOT RESPOND to this type email.

Revised 1-17-07

The scams never stop . Today’s thieves will try any and all ways they can imagine to take your money from you.

They will tell you, “unless you respond, you will have a problem.” They will imitate legitimate websites in an effort to have you go their redirected site and give your personal information. No organization including government is safe from these scammers, they imitate Social Security, they imitate NCUA , CU Service Centers even the FBI. Another ploy is to have you complete a survey for which they furnish you with a link. DO NOT CLICK ON THE LINK. This will only take you to a bogus site from which they will glean your personal information. They may threaten you with bodily harm. This type of threatening email should contact the police.

The firm rule is to never respond to mail, emails or telephone calls from anyone asking for you personal information. Legitimate companies or government agencies would never request this information in this manner.

And of course, the old LOTTERY SCAM……………

They will mail you a very legitimate looking check for a good sum of money. They are emphatic about you not taking their letter with you to the bank, because they do not want to raise a flag about a bogus check. They may ask you to call them on the telephone and probably tell you have to send so much of the prize money to cover some trumped up reason. If a hold isn’t placed on the check it would clear your account and be directed to a fraudulent account. By the time the banking industry responds that the check is bogus, you would be informed that you are responsible for making good on the amount of the bad check. This is the reason for check holds. Anything too good to be true is usually NOT TRUE.

Once directed to the phony website, individual is asked to register for a password and to confirm their identity. NEVER, NEVER provide your Social Security or other personal information over the internet or by telephone unless you are absolutely sure of the source to whom you are providing your information.

Avoid Phishing scams.
Never click on links provided in an e-mail that may take you to an
illegitimate website that appears to be exactly the same as the legitimate site.
Do not open any e-mail from no-reply@netfedcu.org. NET DOES NOT
HAVE such an email address and this may contain a virus. Delete this message.
Never give out personal information. Legitimate organizations will not ask for it in an email. Do not succumb to any offers of a deposit to your account in exchange for your personal information. Thieves are just hoping you will take the bait.
Always keep your personal information in a safe place.
Protect your PIN numbers and other passwords.
Protect your mail against theft.
Check copies of your credit report.
Do check your information on your accounts and bill statements.
Carry only that identifying information with you that you need.
If there is a question if an e-mail is legitimate go to the company's site and not to a link they give you.
Never be intimidated by e-mails that warn of account or service suspension or bodily harm if you do not follow their instructions.
If you are a victim to phishing scams you can protect yourself by alerting financial institutions, put fraud alerts on your credit files and check your statements.

If you fall victim to fraud, scams or identity theft you can visit OnGuard Online website. It provides practical tips from the federal government and the technology industry to protect from internet fraud.

Click here for OnGuard Online link.

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