The Internet offers the potential for safe, convenient ways to shop for financial services and conduct credit union business, any day, any time. However, members need to make good online choices - decisions that may help avoid costly surprises and scams. Although ID theft continues to plague many, you can take simple steps to protect your identity and avoid credit fraud. Our Identity Theft Coach helps you spot phishing emails and shows you how to order a free credit report. 

Click on the ID Theft Coach icon for more information.

Here's an informative website - FakeChecks.org that provides helpfull tips concerning fake check scams, fraud tests, videos and prevention.

Recent fraud alerts and tips for protecting your personal information are provided below. You may also download:

 You Have the Power to Stop Identity Theft, NCUA, the Federal Reserve and the thrift regulatory agencies announced the availability of a revised ID theft brochure. (65KB)
Tips to Safely Conduct Financial Transactions Over the Internet, courtesy of the National Credit Union Administration (NCUA). (91.5KB)
Take Charge: Fighting Back Against Identity Theft, provided by the Federal Trade Commission, U.S. Department of Homeland Security and the United States Secret Service (6.89MB)
Talking About Identity Theft: A How-to Guide, a workbook provided by the Federal Trade Commission (6.25MB)

To download Adobe Acrobat Reader, click here. 

Scam Artists Posing as Federal Agencies

November 9, 2009 – Attorney General Greg Zoeller warns of phishing scams circulating in the form of requests for personal information from federal agencies including the IRS, Social Security Administration, Medicare, Medicaid and the Census Bureau. Scam artists are calling, emailing and sending letters that sound and look official requesting your social security numbers, birthdates and account numbers. These are phishing scams and they are designed to steal your identity.

You should also be cautioned of requests from "federal authorities" stating that money needs to be returned due to an over-payment as this is also a scam.

Anyone with concerns or doubts should verify the legitimacy of a request by calling a trusted phone number - not one provided in the email, letter or call.  For more information about scams and how to avoid them visit www.IndianaConsumer.com.

Fed warns of scammers seeking money, info

August 27, 2009 – Consumers should ignore any solicitations made in the Federal Reserve Board’s name promising services and funds in exchange for payments or personal information, the Fed said in a warning released yesterday.

The solicitations “appear to be made with the approval or involvement of the Federal Reserve, Federal Reserve officials, or other U.S. government officials,” the Fed said. The Fed has no involvement in these solicitations, it noted.

“Consumers are strongly urged to verify the legitimacy of potential service providers before entering into a business transaction,” the Fed added. “Individuals seeking help with repairing their credit history, avoiding home mortgage foreclosure, finding mortgage refinance options, or managing their credit card debt should do business only with reputable service providers.”

The Fed points consumers to a section of its Web site for more information. Go to www.federalreserve.gov/consumerinfo for more.

NAFCU Reports note use of text message scams

January 28, 2009 – In recent fraud targeting Sprint cell phone users in several states, criminals are using text messages purportedly from financial institutions – including credit unions – in order to get people to disclose their personal financial information.

According to a story in Tuesday’s Pittsburgh Tribune-Review, consumers are sent a text message asking them to reply with their bank account and PINs, or personal identification numbers. The phone number with the text message is typically false and leads consumers to enter their information through an automated system.

The Tribune-Review also noted that Sprint cell phone customers in dozens of states, including New York, Michigan, Missouri and Texas, have been targeted by this scam.

A Jan. 16 story on this Web site reported on a text message scheme targeting members of Empower FCU in Oswego, N.Y. Text messages in this scam directed members to call a toll-free number where they were prompted to provide personal financial information. Additionally, members at Teachers CU in South Bend, Ind., and Mobil Oil FCU in Beaumont, Texas, have been targeted in recent weeks by text message scams.

NCUA has issued an alert to credit unions about such scams.

A warning has also come from Idaho Attorney General Lawrence Wasden.  On Jan. 23, the Idaho Press-Tribune reported that criminals are sending text messages to random cell phones asking consumers to be part of a "protection program." The texts, which claims to be from the Bank of Cascades, ask consumers to call a telephone number where a recorded message prompts them for their credit card numbers.

FTC, FDIC warn of phishing attacks

October 14, 2008 – The Federal Trade Commission last week warned that phishers are taking advantage of the recent upheavals in the financial services industry to launch attacks on consumers by fraudulently posing as the financial institution that recently acquired their institution or mortgage company.

The warning noted that the e-mails may ask consumers to update, validate or confirm their account or other personal information following the acquisition of their financial institution.

The FTC suggests that consumers avoid replying to e-mail or pop-up messages asking for personal or financial information. Additionally, the agency cautions that some scammers are sending prerecorded telephone messages asking consumers for a return call to update personal information. In these cases, the agency suggests consumers call the number on their financial account statements.

In addition to the FTC warning, the FDIC also told consumers last week of fraudulent e-mails appearing to be from the agency with the subject line, “Funds wired into your account are stolen.”  The e-mail asks recipients to open and review an attached file. That file, the agency says, is actually an executable file that contains malicious code or software.

The FDIC said that recipients of these fraudulent e-mails should not respond or open the attached file. The agency also noted reports that say antivirus software programs have been detecting and removing the malicious attachment before the e-mail is delivered. However, if the attachment is opened, the FDIC recommends updating antivirus software patches and performing a complete scan of the computer and network.

What You Need to Know About Phishing

Financial Center is committed to ensuring account privacy and security. Part of this commitment is through member education. You can protect your private information by practicing good security habits and reporting any suspicious contacts either via email, phone or the U.S. Postal service.

Financial Center does not contact our members via e-mail to verify or request account numbers, PINs, or other security information. Emails from Financial Center when possible will contain the member's name within the email address or body of the message.  If you receive an email requesting confidential account information, consider it fraudulant and DO NOT respond with any account information and forward this email to Fraud@fcfcu.com. 

Protect your confidential account information:

• Use caution in selecting your PIN number and passwords.
• Be cautious about revealing account numbers, Social Security or Tax I.D. numbers and other private information to other persons.
• Protect your account numbers, card numbers, PINs and passwords.
• Regularly log into your online accounts and don't wait for as long as a month before you check each account.
• Never give out account information through the mail or via an e-mail solicitation unless you have initiated the contact. Avoid filling our forms in email messages that ask for personal financial information. You should only communicate information such as credit card numbers or account information via a secure website or the telephone.
• Do not email confidential account information to the credit union using your personal e-mail accounts. You may email us using our Secure Contact Center Form at https://apps.fcfcu.com/contactForm.html.
• Additionally, we have provided an Identity Theft Coach which coaches you to safeguard personal and financial records from fraud and identity theft. Click on the Identity Theft Coach icon above for more information.
• If you have been a victim of a phishing attack, a report can be filed with the Internet Crime Complaint Center run by the FBI and the National White Collar Crime Center.
• Last, if you are suspicious about a particular email, text message, voice mail, or piece of mail received please contact us.