Home Page
May we suggest
 
Saving money on your next car purchase with our Auto Broker
Applying for a Mortgage Loan
Consolidating all your bills with a Home Equity Loan

Fraud Protection

Technology may make our lives easier, but it also makes it easier for someone to steal your identity and credit history.  At Providence Credit Union, we want to ensure that our members are aware of the latest tricks and scams that thieves are implementing to steal your identity.

Here are some of the latest scams reported.  Please check back here often to keep updated on security measures to best protect yourself.

12.15.09 + Holiday Scammers

The scammers are asking members to contact them by telephone, e-mail and/or text messages to provide their card information, or other personal/financial information. This type of request is a scam. Please inform your members about the risks associated with these scams.

It’s important for members to know that credit unions (or other financial institutions) would never solicit their personal identification and/or financial information via e-mail, text or telephone. If members respond to such solicitations, ask them to contact you immediately using the local telephone number provided by your credit union.

CUNA Mutual has been notified by credit unions about these scams, and has helped them successfully shut down the fraudulent telephone numbers.

Tips to protect members:

  • Don’t respond to e-mails, text messages or telephone calls asking for personal identification or financial information
  • E-mails and Internet pages created by scammers may look exactly like credit unions
  • Learn more about phishing scam techniques at http://www.antiphishing.org/consumer_recs.html
  • Take action immediately by alerting your credit union, placing fraud alerts on your credit files, and monitoring your account statements
  • Report scams to the Federal Trade Commission by calling 1-877-IDTHEFT

10.1.09 + Techniques Used By Fraudsters On Social Networking Sites

Fraudsters continue to hijack accounts on social networking sites and spread malicious software by using various techniques. One technique involves the use of spam to promote phishing sites, claiming there has been a violation of the terms of agreement or some other type of issue which needs to be resolved. Other spam entices users to download an application or view a video. Some spam appears to be sent from users' "friends", giving the perception of being legitimate. Once the user responds to the phishing site, downloads the application, or clicks on the video link, their computer, telephone or other digital device becomes infected.

Another technique used by fraudsters involves applications advertised on social networking sites, which appear legitimate; however, some of these applications install malicious code or rogue anti-virus software. Other malicious software gives the fraudsters access to your profile and personal information. These programs will automatically send messages to your "friends" list, instructing them to download the new application too.

Infected users are often unknowingly spreading additional malware by having infected Web sites posted on their Webpage without their knowledge. Friends are then more apt to click on these sites since they appear to be endorsed by their contacts.

Tips on avoiding these tactics:

  • Adjust Web site privacy settings. Some networking sites have provided useful options to assist in adjusting these settings to help protect your identity.
  • Be selective of your friends. Once selected, your "friends" can access any information marked as "viewable by all friends."
  • You can select those who have "limited" access to your profile. This is for those whom you do not wish to give full friend status to or with whom you feel uncomfortable sharing personal information.
  • Disable options and then open them one by one such as texting and photo sharing capabilities. Users should consider how they want to use the social networking site. If it is only to keep in touch with people then perhaps it would be better to turn off the extra options which will not be used.
  • Be careful what you click on. Just because someone posts a link or video to their "wall" does not mean it is safe.

Those interested in becoming a user of a social networking site and/or current users are recommended to familiarize themselves with the site's policies and procedures before encountering such a problem.

Each social networking site may have different procedures on how to handle a hijacked or infected account; therefore, you may want to reference their help or FAQ page for instructions.

Individuals who experienced such incidents are encouraged to file a complaint at www.IC3.gov reporting the incident.

4.22.09 + SMISHING ALERT: TEXT MESSAGE SCAM

Credit unions across the country are reporting that their members are receiving unsolicited text messages. It is an attempt at Smishing, the latest form of phishing. In Smishing, an e-mail tries to lure a recipient into giving personal information via SMS, the communications protocol used to send text messages to a wireless device. The recent scam is targeting credit union and other financial institution members.

In Smishing, the members receive a text message via cell phone warning that their credit union or bank account has been closed due to unusual activity or their credit/debit card is no longer valid. It then tells them they need to call a certain phone number to reactivate the account.

Unsuspecting callers who dial the number provided in the text message will be taken to an automated voice mail box that prompts them to key in their credit card or debit card number, expiration date, and PIN to verify their information. Providence Credit Union WILL NEVER text or email you asking for personal information (i.e. account number, PIN, Social Security Number, etc).

If you have a question concerning your account or credit/debit card, contact Providence Credit Union using a telephone number obtained independently, such as the phone number from your statement, a telephone book, or other independent means.

Helpful Recommendations:

  • Be wary of any message received from an unknown sender.
  • Do not open unsolicited e-mails or text messages.
  • Do not click on any links provided in unsolicited e-mails
  • Don’t display your wireless phone number or e-mail address in public. This includes newsgroups, chat rooms, Web sites, or membership directories.
  • If you open an unwanted message, send a stop or opt out message in response.
  • Check the privacy policy when submitting your wireless phone number or e-mail address to any Web site. Find out if the policy allows the company to sell your information.
  • Contact your wireless or Internet service provider about unwanted messages.

Her are some additional links for you to check out:

If you would like more information on Identity Theft and ways to protect yourself at home and on vacation, please contact us at 503.215.6090 or visit the following websites:

http://www.ftc.gov/bcp/edu/microsites/idtheft/

http://www.ssa.gov/pubs/idtheft.htm

http://www.identitytheft.org/

 Providence