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Telephone/Cell Phone Phishing Scams
Multiple member credit unions have recently reported a phishing (also known as "vishing" when perpetrated via telephone) scam they are experiencing. This fraudulent attempt to capture card numbers is done with an automated telephone service. Recently, Beaver Valley FCU has become aware of members and non-members receiving these types of calls.
The system indicates that the members' debit cards have been placed on a hold status, and gives instructions to activate the cards.
Credit unions are also reporting that members are receiving text messages and cell phone calls requesting that the “credit union customer” call a number to have access to their “bank account” restored.
Keep in mind that Beaver Valley FCU would never contact you by telephone or e-mail with a request for debit card verification, User ID's, password or other personal information.
IRS Reports Economic Stimulus Scams
As the economic stimulus checks start going out, the IRS has issued an alert that scam artists are actively making the rounds using the proposed rebates as bait. Credit unions should alert employees and members to be on the lookout for scams. The most recent scams include:
Rebate Phone Call – Someone identifying himself as an IRS employee calls consumers and asks for bank account information for the direct deposit of the rebate. If the individual refuses, he is told that he cannot receive the rebate.
Refund e-mail – The bogus e-mail falsely claims to come from the IRS, tells the recipient that he or she is eligible for a tax refund for a specific amount, and instructs the recipient to click on a link in the e-mail to access a refund claim form. The form asks the recipient to enter personal information that the scamsters can then access.
Audit e-mail – This technique will get almost anyone’s attention. This phony e-mail notifies the recipient that his or her tax return will be audited. The IRS does not send unsolicited, tax-account related e-mails to taxpayers.
Paper Check Phone Call – In a current telephone scam, a caller claims to be an IRS employee who is calling because the IRS sent a check to the individual, and since the check has not been cashed, the IRS wants to verify the individual’s bank account number. The caller may have a foreign accent.
Changes to Tax Law e-Mail – This bogus e-mail is addressed to businesses, accountants, and “Treasury” managers. It instructs them to download information on tax law changes by clicking on a series of links to publications on businesses, estate taxes, excise taxes, exempt organizations, and IRAs and other retirement plans.
Individuals who receive a questionable e-mail claiming to come from the IRS should forward it to phishing@irs.gov. Use instructions contained in an article, “How to Protect Yourself from Suspicious E-Mails or Phishing Schemes,” to help the IRS track the suspicious e-mail to its origins and shut down the scam.
Those who have received a questionable telephone call that claims to come from the IRS may also use the phishing@irs.gov mailbox to notify the IRS of the scam.
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Phishing Scam We have been alerted about a phishing scam. DO NOT follow the link provided, or respond to the e-mail in any other way. Please remember that Beaver Valley FCU will never request that you update or send your User ID, password or other personal information in an e-mail or over the Internet. The following is a sample of the phishing e-mail that is being sent in an attempt to commit fraud: From: Beaver Valley Federal Credit Union [mailto:srv@beavervalleyfcu.org]
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FTC Launches Website to Fight Cyber Crime
In an attempt to address the rising cyber crime threat, the FTC (Federal Trade Commission) unveiled an online tool designed to help consumers avoid becoming victims of Internet scams.
At the website, www.onguardonline.gov, you can take interactive quizzes regarding identity theft, phishing, spam and online-shopping scams. Elsewhere on the site, you can find detailed guidance on how to monitor your credit histories, use effective passwords and recover from identity theft.
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