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Fraud ProtectionTechnology 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. Attorney General John Kroger warns Oregonians to be on the lookout for unscrupulous door-to-door magazine peddlers. Door-to-door magazine companies are a perennial source of frustration for Oregon consumers, generating more than 150 complaints in the past year alone. Employees of travelling sales crews - mostly young adults - sell magazines and other products door-to-door using a variety of misleading sales pitches in order to obtain orders. Most recently the Oregon Department of Justice has seen influx of complaints about Atlantic Circulation, Inc., a magazine distribution company. The sales crews employed by Atlantic Circulation have allegedly tried to boost sales by suggesting the magazine subscriptions will benefit a charity. In fact, many consumers who purchased subscriptions from the company never received their orders and there was no charitable donation. Travelling sales crews don't just raise consumer protection concerns, the crewmembers themselves are sometimes victims of scam and physical abuse. While these smooth-talking hucksters may pepper you with stories about raising funds for college, athletics, troops abroad, church or a local charity, many are employed by for-profit operations that take advantage of vulnerable youth and homeless teens. Don't be fooled. There are legitimate organizations that conduct fundraising or sell products door-to-door. Nevertheless, Oregonians should proceed with caution when contemplating transactions at the door. Here are some things you can do to avoid being bamboozled:
Anyone who believes they have been approached by a scammer should call the Oregon Department of Justice Consumer Hotline at 1-877-877-9392 or go to the Department's Web site: www.oregonattorneygeneral.gov. Attorney General John Kroger recently unveiled a new feature on called Be InfORmed, which allows consumers to look up complaints about businesses on-line: www.oregonattorneygeneral.gov/beinformed. 07.21.10 + Automated Phone Message Attack A Card Alert Service member financial institution reported today that they are under an automated Message attack in the Provo, Utah area. Pre-recorded phone messages are being delivered to random Consumers with the warning that their debit cards have been closed. When the consumers call the Telephone number provided by the fraudsters they hear a recording that requests a 16- digit card number and Pin. Please do not call these numbers-they may still be active. This matter is under investigation. What you need to know
06.01.10 + International Mass Marketing Fraud The Internet Crime Complaint Center, IC3, has published a brochure on International Mass Marketing Fraud. The brochure covers the following types of scams: charity, counterfeit cashiers checks, foreign lotteries, investment, mortgage, romance, telemarketing, and West African Advance Fee. Click Here to view the brochure. 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:
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:
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:
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/ |
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