Accounts and Services
Internet/E-Mail Fraud Alerts
FRAUD ALERT NO.: 08-FRAUD-06
The purpose of this fraud alert is to inform you of a scam that involves unsolicited text messages sent to cell phones. The message urges the recipient to call a number provided for information about account discrepancies and then solicits individual account information and pin numbers.
Cell phone users should be weary of unsolicited text messages. Such messages should be deleted and all deleted text messages should be removed, if possible, as the perpetrators have been known to use Spyware1 in conjunction with their text message solicitation.
Phishing Scams
Lately, there have been multiple e-mail fraud attempts, known as "Phishing", that were initiated through e-mail sent to both Altier Credit Union members and the general public that appeared to be from the National Credit Union Administration, Arizona Credit Union League/System or other financial institutions. These false e-mails asked for the recipient to click on a link to verify their credit union account registration. If the recipient proceeded to do so, the link directed them to a false web site and asked for their credit union account number and PIN, along with other personal information.
Altier Credit Union, regulatory agencies and other financial institutions do not ask credit unions members for such personal information. Anyone who receives such an e-mail should consider it to be a fraudulent attempt to obtain their personal account data for an illegal purpose and should not follow the instructions in the e-mail.
If you responded to such an e-mail and provided any confidential account information, please notify the credit union immediately of the scheme. You should also change your account's PIN and take any additional action recommended by the credit union to protect your account. If you responded to such an e-mail from another financial institution, please notify that institution immediately.
NCUA Internet/E-Mail Fraud Alert
Recently, there have been multiple e-mail fraud attempts, known as "Phishing”, that were initiated via e-mail sent to both the general public and to some credit union members that appeared to be from NCUA. This false e-mail asked for the recipient to click on a link to verify their credit union account registration. If the recipient proceeded to do so, the link directed them to a false website and asked for their credit union account number and PIN, along with other personal information.
NCUA does not ask credit unions members for such personal information. Anyone who receives an e-mail that purports to be from NCUA and asks for account information should consider it to be a fraudulent attempt to obtain their personal account data for an illegal purpose and should not follow the instructions in the e-mail.
If you responded to such an e-mail and provided any confidential account information, please notify your credit union immediately of the scheme. You should also change your account’s PIN, and take any additional action recommended by your credit union to protect your account.
If you feel that you have received a fraudulent phishing e-mail purportedly from NCUA please forward the entire e-mail message to Phishing@ncua.gov
Additionally, you can file formal complaints concerning any suspected fraudulent e-mail with the Internet Fraud Complaint Center (IFCC) at ncua@ic3.gov. The IFCC is a partnership between the Federal Bureau of Investigation, and the National White Collar Crime Center.
IRS Phishing E-Mails - Tax Refunds
The Internal Revenue Service and the Internet Crime Complaint Center have issued consumer alerts about an Internet scam in which consumers receive an e-mail informing them of a tax refund. One e-mail, which claims to be from the IRS, tells the recipient that they are eligible to receive a tax refund for a given amount. It then directs the consumer to a link that requests personal information, such as Social Security number and credit card information.
Another e-mail titled "Refund Notice" claims to provide information to recipients regarding the status of their IRS Tax Refunds. The e-mail contains a link, which mirrors the true IRS web site. This site purportedly allows recipients to check the status of their IRS tax refund after providing the following information:
· First and last name
· Social Security Number or IRS Individual Taxpayer Identification Number
· Credit card information
The IRS has seen numerous attempts over the years to defraud the public and the federal government through a variety of schemes, including abusive tax avoidance transactions, identity theft, claims for slavery reparations, frivolous arguments and more. More information on these schemes may be found on the criminal enforcement page at www.IRS.gov.
The IRS does not ask for personal identifying or financial information via unsolicited e-mail.
FTC Launches Website to Fight Cyber Crime
In an attempt to address the rising cyber crime threat, the FTC (Federal Trade Commission ) on January 10, 2006 unveiled an online tool designed to help consumers avoid becoming victims of Internet scams.
At the website, www.onguardonline.gov, consumers can take interactive quizzes designed to enlighten them about identity theft, phishing, spam and online-shopping scams. If the user selects a wrong answer, the program explains why that particular misconception about Internet security can lead to trouble.
Elsewhere on the site, consumers can find detailed guidance on how to monitor their credit histories, use effective passwords and recover from identity theft.
Five federal agencies and 13 private organizations partnered to sponsor the OnGuard Online website. Information on the site is not copyrighted, and the FTC encourages companies and other organizations to download and widely disseminate the information.
"We're trying to make the information as accessible as possible, with tips so people can take action," said Nat Wood, the FTC's assistant director for consumer and business education. The increasing concern about online threats is one of the reasons we could put together such a blue-chip coalition for a program like this," says Wood. "E-commerce is great, but we just want people to have the tools to use it safely."
