BE ALERT FOR E-MAIL SCAMS
Recently, we have observed
multiple fraud attempts, known as "Phishing", in which emails appearing to
be from METRO Federal Credit Union, were sent to both the general public and
to some Credit Union members.
These false emails asked
the recipients to click on a link to verify their Credit Union account
registration. Any recipient who did so, was directed to a false website and
asked for their Credit Union account number, PIN and/or password, along with
personal information. METRO does not ask its
members for such personal information via email.
Anyone who receives an
email that purports to be from METRO and asks for account information should
consider it to be a fraudulent attempt to obtain personal account data for
an illegal purpose and should not follow the instructions in the email.
If you responded to
such an email and provided any confidential account information, please
notify METRO immediately. You should also change your account's password
and take any additional action recommended by METRO to protect your account.
LATEST PHONE INITIATED
CREDIT CARD SCAM
T
his one is pretty slick since they provide YOU with all information,
except the one piece they want. Note, the callers do not ask for your card
number; they already have it. By understand- ing how this Credit Card scam
works, you'll be better prepared to protect yourself. Several Credit
Unions and VISA Int'l have confirmed its existence.
The scam works like this: Person calling says, " I'm calling from the
Security and Fraud Department at VISA. My Badge number is 160. 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 bank). 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 logging a Fraud
investigation. If you have any questions, 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.
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 told us that
they will never ask for anything on the card as they already know the
information since they issued the card!
