Viruses asking for Credit Card or other Banking Information February 2010 -Viruses and other malware have been targeting online banking users. These viruses may create a web page that appears at first to be part of NetBanker itself. The web pages tend to look generic and usually do not feature the the credit union's name or logos specifically on the fraudulent page.
If you are asked for your login credentials, or are suspicious of any unusual activity on NetBanker, please contact us directly by by emailing phishing@sb1fcu.org or by calling 800.806.9465.
New text message based phishing scam. November,
2009 - Recent reports from a few Sb1 members have come in detailing attempted phishing scams via text message. The text message contains an alert that their Credit Union card is locked and provides a 1-800 phone number to dial. Do not call this number. This is the point in the scam where you will be asked to provide your card number, expiration date and Personalized Identification Number (PIN).
Phishing Alert from NACHA (National Automated Clearing House Association) November,
2009 - Be aware of a recent report of a phishing email that is circulating. The message is being sent to look like an alert from the NACHA regarding a rejected ACH transaction. The emails are fraudulent and contain a link to a fraudulent website that looks like the real NACHA website. The link is also thought to contain malware that will automatically install itself onto your PC.
Credit Card Scam to get your security number October, 2009 - A recent scam has been reported where the scammer will pose as a Credit Card company representative investigating a recent purchase that looks suspicious. They will provide some pieces of information and ask you to verify your 3-digit security number. Don't provide this information. The Credit Card company already knows your security number and you should hang up immediately and call the number on the back of your card directly to ensure you are truly speaking with a representative of the Credit Card company.
IRS Scam Making Rounds September, 2009 - A malicious file is hitting mailboxes across the country at a rate of 90,000 messages per hour.
The e-mail looks as if it comes from no-reply@irs.gov, and warns users that they need to review a tax statement on the IRS Web site. The overall theme is that the user was caught hiding income from the IRS and they have a chance to fix it. The catch is that they will first need to download and install a file that infects computers with a virus or shuts them down completely.
If you have received a "notice of unreported income e-mail" from the IRS, delete it and do nothing else. If you do get a notice of unreported income e-mail or any e-mail from the IRS that asks for a response in the future, do not respond. The IRS does not use e-mail to get information to taxpayers.
Phishing scam delivered via text message.
August 2009 - Several members have reported being called and sent text messages concerning alleged credit card fraud occurring in India. The messages claim to be from "your Credit Union."
These messages are not legitimate FALCON calls. (For more information about FALCON, see the earlier post below.)
Please remember, Sb1 will never contact you to request personal information. If you receive a suspicious call please report the incident to Sb1 by emailing us at phishing@sb1fcu.org or by calling 800.806.9465. An alert for anyone transacting business with parties using an Sb1 check for payment or deposit:
July 2009 - Sb1 has been informed that unofficial checks and cashiers checks are in circulation that appear to come from Sb1 but are in fact counterfeits.
If you have received a check from a third party, that is drawn from the Credit Union, and you are unsure of its validity, please call Sb1 immediately to verify the check's legitimacy.
If the check is indeed an official Sb1 cashier's check we will be able to verify the item quickly. When calling to verify a check please have a copy of the check in question available to fax to Sb1.
The Consumer Federation of America's tips against fake check scams:
Never agree to pay to claim a prize.
Never agree to pay for grants from the government or foundations.
Never agree to cash checks and send the money somewhere as part of a job working from home.
Never agree to wire money to anyone you have not met in person and known for a long time.
If it seems suspicious, consult your state or local consumer protection agency, the Federal Trade Commission, the U.S. Postal Inspection Service or another trusted source.
Remember that there is no legitimate reason why anyone who wants to give you a check or money order would ask you to send money anywhere in return.
Phishing attempt reported by Sb1 members. Several Sb1 members have received calls claiming to be from the Credit Union. The caller claims to be calling about a "frozen" Visa account and goes on to ask members to provide their 16 digit card number.
These attempts have the hallmark signs of a Phishing scheme. Sb1 would like to remind you to never provide sensitive account information for such a call.
Sb1 will never contact you to request personal information.
If you receive a suspicious call please report the incident to Sb1 by emailing us at phishing@sb1fcu.org or by calling 800.806.9465.
Beware of calls identifying themselves as FALCON Alert phone calls. May 2009 - FALCON Alert is legitimate service which monitors your daily VisaŽ purchases for suspicious activity. In the event that your purchasing habits don't follow your typical buying patterns you may receive a call from FALCON to simply verify your recent purchases (which they already have a record of) were in fact made by you. Neither FALCON nor Sb1 will ever call to verify your personal information.
Recently, several members have reported receiving calls from people claiming to represent Falcon who were asking to verify personal information. These calls would specifically name Sb1 in the call but they were not placed by FALCON.
If you receive a suspicious call please report the incident to Sb1 by emailing us at phishing@sb1fcu.org or by calling 800.806.9465.
There have also been recent fraud attempts involving cashier's checks, supposedly for mystery shopping. April 2009 - Sb1 does have a legitimate mystery shopping program but members would never be asked to payout money of their own as discussed in the scam attempts in the video below.
If you feel that you have been targeted for one of these types of attacks you can always report suspicious activity to Sb1 by emailing us at phishing@sb1fcu.org or by calling 800.806.9465.
Other ways to protect yourself:
Never provide personal information such as Social Security Number, address or date of birth.
Never provide personal account information such as passwords and PIN numbers to anyone.
Never provide your Credit Union or Bank account number.
Never provide the security code from the back of your credit cards.
