At last night’s BACA meeting a few of us were talking and discovered that many of us were contacted by some very possible scammer.
The way it goes is you get a phone call or phone message on your land line supposedly from some Federal Credit Union. I’ve gotten two phone calls and it was never clear what the exact name of the credit union was. The first time I just hung up on it because it clearly wasn’t my credit union so why bother, wrong number. The second time, I had time to kill and was curious, so I pressed one. Then it asked me for my 16 digit account number. Oh heck naw. I hung up.
Apparently no one else picks up their phone so the Phishing Credit Union has been leaving messages for people to call a 1-800 number. Neighbors who have called the fake credit union fearful that their real credit union accounts (the message is a bit garbled on the name) would be frozen have been prompted to put in their account information. Luckily, we’re all bright people and this raises red flags.
I’m sure there is some governmental agency you can contact regarding this scam. Maybe DCRA. Maybe Harry Thomas Jr. Maybe call up your real credit union, warn them too.
UPDATE= Here’s what some local Credit Unions are telling their members”
State Employees Credit Union:
Another incident of phishing!
Below is a text message that was received recently by an actual SECU member. This is an example of a current form of phishing that fraudsters use to obtain account information from unsuspecting account holders. There are many forms that name various financial institutions, phone numbers to contact and types of cards (credit, debit, ATM).
“Notice/ This is an automated message from Bank-Fund Staff F.C.U. Your ATM card has been suspended. To reactivate call urgent at 1-909-978-6050.”
If you receive this message or a similar message, DO NOT RESPOND! Instead, call SECU at 800-879-7328 to alert our Security and Fraud team.
Pentagon Federal Credit Union:
There is a new phishing scam in progress by phone and SMS text message from 213-596-7693. The message is as follows: “This is an automated message that your ATM card has been suspended. To reactivate call 1-410-910-0787.”
Once the number is dialed there is a request that the listener press 1 for more information. Pressing 1 transfers to a follow-up request for the account number, PIN, authorization code, etc.
Please remember that we will NEVER contact you by phone or email and ask for your PIN or account information.
This information is personal and confidential to you, our Member, and under no cirumstances would we require this information over the phone, text message or via email.
Thank you.