Fraud Alert!
As we continue to monitor the recent Target compromise, we have learned of recent phishing emails related to the Target breach. The emails look like they are from Target and play on the fears of the public that they may have had their card compromised. As a precaution, notify your members of this potential threat and advise them to proceed with caution if they receive an e-mail from Target. They should NOT OPEN any links that may be included in these emails as that could potentially allow additional access to their personal information. Target plans to post any and all emails to their breach-related site so its customers will know the difference between valid emails and phishing emails.
For more information:
Target’s site related to the breach.
News article related to phishing emails.
Fraud Prevention Tips for Credit Union Members
- When performing a PIN transaction, ensure others are not capturing your PIN
- When using a debit card, you may select “credit”, which requires a signature and extends the $0 member liability under the Visa / MasterCard association rules
- Review all accounts (checking, savings, credit card) activity daily
- When paper checks are converted at a merchant to an ACH, store voided checks safely to prevent counterfeit checks or unauthorized ACH transactions
- Be suspicious of emails from unknown parties; don’t open the email or click any links within them
- Access your credit union’s authorized website by typing the website into the address bar of web browser to avoid “spoofed” websites attempting to steal your information
- When shopping in person or using an ATM, be aware of your surroundings and report any unusual activities to your credit union
- Never leave your purse, wallet, or cards unattended
- And finally, if an offer seems too good to be true, it probably is, so be cautious
Online Security Tips
To help maintain the security of your online accounts, follow these guidelines:
- Protect your PINs and passwords: create PINs and passwords that do not use readily identifiable information like names, birthdates, and phone numbers
- Never reveal your access codes or passwords
- Change your access code and password frequently
- Never send private account or personal information, such as identification numbers, amounts, or share / loan identification numbers via e-mail
- Notify the Credit Union of any suspicious e-mail or telephone inquiries, such as those seeking account information or online passwords.