There are many scams going on to try to take advantage of unsuspecting people. These scams may be generated via telephone, email, text messages or even computer pop-ups. The most important thing to remember in every case is:
DO NOT SHARE YOUR PERSONAL INFORMATION WITH ANYONE UNLESS YOU ARE COMPLETELY SURE OF THEIR IDENTITY. SCOTT CREDIT UNION WILL NOT EMAIL, GENERATE AN ONLINE POP UP, TEXT YOU OR CALL YOU TO VERIFY ANY OF YOUR PERSONAL OR FINANCIAL INFORMATION.
If you encounter a scam, please notify us by calling the SCU Member Service Center at 618-345-1000 or toll free at 1-800-888-4728 or email memberservice@scu.org. While we are certainly not aware of all scams that exist, you may click the following links to see more information about some scams of which we are aware.
A new credit card scam is currently being used to gain people’s credit card information so they can purchase items fraudulently. Please be aware of the scam and avoid giving any information.
The scammers provide YOU with all the information, except the one piece they want. Note, the callers do not ask for your card number; they already have it.
By understanding how the VISA & MasterCard Telephone Credit Card Scam works, you'll be better prepared to protect yourself.
The scam works like this:
Caller: This is (name), and I'm calling from the Security and Fraud Department at VISA. My Badge number is 12460. Your card has been flagged for an unusual purchase pattern, and I'm calling to verify. This would be on your VISA
card which was issued by (name of financial institution). Did you purchase an
Anti-Telemarketing Device for $497.99 from a Marketing company based in
Arizona?'
When you say 'No', the caller continues with, 'Then we will be issuing a credit to your account. This is a company we have been watching and the charges range from $297 to $497, just under the $500 purchase pattern that flags most cards. Before your next statement, the credit will be sent to (gives you your address), is that correct?'
You say 'yes'. The caller continues - 'I will be starting a fraud investigation. If you have any questions, you should call the 1- 800 number listed on the back of your card (1-800-VISA) and ask for Security.
You will need to refer to this Control Number. The caller then gives you a 6 digit number. 'Do you need me to read it again?'
Here's the IMPORTANT part on how the scam works. The caller then says, 'I need to verify you are in possession of your card'. He'll ask you to 'turn your card over and look for some numbers'. There are 7 numbers; the first 4 are part of your card number, the next 3 are the security numbers that verify you are the possessor of the card. These are the numbers you sometimes use to make Internet purchases to prove you have the card.
The caller will ask you to read the 3 numbers to him. After you tell the caller the 3 numbers, he'll say, 'That is correct, I just needed to verify that the card has not been lost or stolen, and that you still have your card. Do you have any other questions?' After you say No, the caller then thanks you and states, 'Don't hesitate to call back if you do', and
hangs up.
You actually say very little, and they never ask for or tell you the Card number. What the scammers want is the 3-digit PIN number on the back of the card. Don't give it to them.
Instead, tell them you'll call VISA or Master card directly for verification of their conversation. The real VISA will never ask for anything on the card as they already know the information since they issued the card! If you give the scammers your 3 Digit PIN Number, you think you're receiving a credit. However, by the time you get your statement you'll see charges for purchases you didn't make, and by then it's almost too late and/or more difficult to actually file a fraud report.
The scam is being performed by fraudsters saying they are from both Visa and Master Card.
Please be aware of a scam that is being circulated via email in an attempt to get personal financial information from members using our online services. Some of our members have reported receiving an email recently that looks like it is from Scott Credit Union notifying them that their online access is being deactivated if it is not renewed. WE ARE NOT DEACTIVATING OR DELETING ANY MEMBER’S ONLINE ACCESS OR BILL PAYMENT SERVICE. Do not click on any links that are contained in the fraudulent email. To log into your SCU Online account, please visit our web site and login as you always have in the past. We also have had members report that they have been asked via email to participate in a survey for our online department. WE ARE NOT CONDUCTING AN ONLINE SURVEY. THIS EMAIL IS NOT FROM SCOTT CREDIT UNION. Please do not click on any links in the email and DO NOT provide any personal or financial information through this email scam. REMEMBER, WE WILL NOT EMAIL, TEXT OR CALL YOU ASKING YOU TO VERIFY ANY OF YOUR PERSONAL OR FINANCIAL INFORMATION. Do not share any of your information with anyone unless you are completely sure of their identity. If you receive a call, text or email requesting personal or financial information and you are unsure if it is legitimate, please call the SCU Member Service Center at 618-345-1000 or toll free at 1-800-888-4728.
Some of our members have reported being presented with an online pop-up message asking them to verify personal information such as their social security number. Reports indicate this is happening while making online purchases for items such as airline tickets. Do not share your personal information with anyone unless you are completely sure of their identity. WE WILL NOT EMAIL, GENERATE AN ONLINE POP UP OR CALL YOU TO VERIFY ANY OF YOUR PERSONAL OR FINANCIAL INFORMATION. If you encounter a pop-up such as this, please notify us by calling the SCU Member Service Center at 618-345-1000 or toll free at 1-800-888-4728 or you may email memberservice@scu.org. We will report any further information via this website.
Please be aware of a scam that is being circulated via telephone text messages in an attempt to get personal financial information. Some of our members have reported receiving a text message on their cell phone recently telling them that their debit card was suspended for shopping purchases. Then it gave an 800 number to call to reactivate the card. If you receive such a message, do not call the number provided. REMEMBER, WE WILL NOT EMAIL, TEXT OR CALL YOU ASKING YOU TO VERIFY ANY OF YOUR PERSONAL OR FINANCIAL INFORMATION. Do not share any of your information with anyone unless you are completely sure of their identity. If you receive a call, text or email requesting personal or financial information and you are unsure if it is legitimate, please call the SCU Member Service Center at 618-345-1000 or toll free at 1-800-888-4728.
ZeusBot (or ZBot) is malicious software that is bypassing top Anti-Virus / Malicious software scanners. Once your computer is infected, it waits for you to login to your online banking. When you login, it records your information and creates a pop-up that asks you to further verify your account by entering your credit card information. All information gathered is sent back to the attackers. Even if you do not enter additional information when prompted, the damage is already done because your online banking login has been compromised.
The only solution for victims to this type of fraud is to shut down your computer, change your online banking account passwords, look for changes to your account, and delete and restore all computer content.
Protect Yourself and Your Identity
This page gives you information on how to Deter-Detect-Defend against Identity Theft. If you think you have been a victim of Identity Theft, click here for what you need to do right away.
Protecting yourself from Identity Theft is important.
You can become a victim of Identity Theft in many ways. Here are some of the things you need to know to protect yourself .
DO..
- Shred all personal and financial information — such as bills, bank statements, ATM receipts and credit card offers — before you throw it away.
- Keep your personal documentation (e.g., birth certificate, Social Security card, etc.) and your bank and credit card records in a secure place.
- Call the post office immediately if you are not receiving your mail. To get the personal information needed to use your identity, a thief can forge your signature and have your mail forwarded.
Be aware of your surroundings when entering your Personal Identification Number (PIN) at an ATM.
- Limit the number of credit cards and other personal information that you carry in your wallet or purse.
- Report lost or stolen credit cards immediately.
- Review and consider whether you need currently inactive card accounts. Even when not being used, these accounts appear on your credit report, which is accessible to thieves. If you have applied for a credit card and have not received the card in a timely manner, immediately notify the appropriate financial institution.
- Closely monitor the expiration dates on your credit cards. Contact the credit issuer if the replacement card is not received prior to your credit card's expiration date.
- Sign all new credit cards upon receipt.
- Review your credit reports annually.
- Use passwords on your credit cards, bank accounts and phone cards. Avoid using the obvious passwords — your mother's maiden name, your birth date or the last four digits of your Social Security or phone number.
- Match your credit card receipts against monthly bills to make sure there are no unauthorized charges.
DON’T...
- Volunteer any personal information when you use your credit card.
- Give your Social Security number, credit card number or any bank account details over the phone unless you have initiated the call and know that the business that you are dealing with is reputable.
- Leave receipts at ATMs, bank counters or unattended gasoline pumps.
- Leave envelopes containing your credit card payments or checks in your home mailbox for postal carrier pickup.
- Record your Social Security number or passwords on paper and store them in your wallet or purse. Memorize your numbers and/or passwords.
- Disclose bank account numbers, credit card account numbers or other personal financial data on any Web site or online service location, unless you receive a secured authentication key from your provider.
*Visa’s Zero Liability policy covers U.S.-issued cards only and does not apply to commercial credit cards, ATM transactions or PIN transactions not processed by Visa. Cardholders must notify card issuers promptly of any unauthorized use. Consult issuer for additional details or visit www.visa.com/security
Dumpster Diving:
- Thieves rummage through trash to find bills, credit card offers or other papers that include your personal information.
Lifting Information from Receipts and Records:
- One of the easiest ways a thief can obtain a person's credit card number or other vital information is by taking advantage of carelessness.
For example, you have just signed your receipt at the restaurant and you have left it there for the waiter/waitress. A thief can stop by the table,
and copy down your information. In fact, the way technology is today, the thief can take a picture using a picture phone!
Information from Credit Reports
- Some identity thieves pose as a landlord, employer or someone else who may have a legitimate need for your credit report. Once they pull the
credit report, they are able to retrieve your personal data, including credit card numbers, history, employment, and much more information.
Phishing
- Phishing is also referred to as brand spoofing or carding, it is a variation of "fishing," in that the thief put out the bait in hopes
that some will be tempted to partake.
In a phishing scam, the thief sends thousands of e-mails that appear to come from sites that you trust (e.g., Scott Credit Union). These messages,
pop-up windows and even the websites they link to appear to be official and legitimate. However, in the phishing scams, the link is not to an official
website, but rather to a phony website. Once inside that website, you may be asked to provide a Social Security number, account numbers, passwords, or
other information. When you provide the information, the thieves can begin
to access your accounts or assume your identity.
Go to www.consumer.gov/idtheft for more information on how to Deter-Detect-Defend against Identity Theft. |
