Beware Of Identity Theft Traps

Identity thieves will use every trick in the book to convince you to give them your personal financial information. Here are a few to watch out for:

Texting, phone calls, e-mails

Recently, some members have received text messages reporting a ‘problem’ with their account. A phone number is provided where the member is asked for account numbers, PINS and other private financial information to ‘correct’ the problem.

Identity thieves also attempt to steal personal financial information via phone calls or e-mails reporting “unusual” activity or problems with your account. These are fraudulent communications.

The credit union will never text or e-mail you asking for your personal information, nor will any legitimate business. Never give it out unless you initiate the call and you know who you’re talking to.

Report any suspicious communications to us immediately at our published number, 866/ 459 2345. Never use phone numbers or e-mail addresses listed in e-mails or text messages.

Phishing

This scam involves e-mails appearing to be from legitimate businesses. They say there’s been a problem on your account, and ask you to provide information by responding to the e-mail or linking to a web site.

Never open links in a suspicious e-mail. Sometimes scammers plant "Trojan Horses" on your computer that record your keystrokes and send them to thieves.

Pharming

Pharming is a more sophisticated form of identity theft. Hackers break into the online address of a legitimate business and change it so that anyone who types the real address is directed to a counterfeit site created by the thieves. People enter their personal information, never suspecting that the site is fake.

To protect yourself, look for the letter “s” in the URL, as in https. It indicates the site is secure.

If you suspect you’ve been victimized