Fraudulent communications threaten your money and your identity!
Recently, WPCU and other credit unions have seen an increase in fraudsters using “spoofing” techniques to contact members and attempt to obtain their personal identifying information.
What Is Spoofing? A fraudster will use a cyberattack called spoofing where they manipulate their caller ID, email address and even websites to make it look like the contact is coming from a trusted source, (such as your credit union).
In one common scenario, a scammer posing as a trusted source may notify or alert a member that there have been fraudulent charges on the member’s account and the member will need to provide some personal information in order to block the card and prevent further charges. The fraudster may direct the member to a “spoofed” (i.e., fake), but somewhat professional, legitimate-looking website in an attempt to steal personal information.
A fraudster (via call, email or web form) may also request a member’s banking account information (e.g., their online banking user name, card number, and PIN). They may even ask the member to send funds to another person as part of the “dispute resolution” process. Don’t fall for it.
Always Remember WPCU will never call and ask you to provide personal identifying or account information.
How Can You Protect Yourself From Spoofing Attacks? If you ever doubt the authenticity of a call or email the best practice is to hang up or ignore it. Then call our customer service number: (800) 762-0047 and report the incident.
If you have questions, want to learn more about spoofing or other cyberattacks, or believe you may be a victim of fraud, WPCU is here to help you! Call our Member Help Center at (800) 762-0047 or visit WPCU.coop/StopFraud.
Scammers and identity thieves are trying to take advantage of those receiving a stimulus check. The Federal Trade Commission (FTC) has received numerous reports of fraudulent calls, texts, and emails coming from scammers pretending to be with the Social Security Administration, IRS, Census, USCIS and the FDIC. These fake government messages are telling people they are approved for quick relief payments or cash grants due to COVID-19. Do not reply to these messages or requests for personal information, they are fraudulent.
Stimulus Payment Scams – What to Watch ForAnother round of Economic Impact Payments means more stimulus payment-related scams. Here are a few things to watch for:
What to Do if You're a Victim of Stimulus Payment FraudIf you think you're a victim of a stimulus payment scam, the IRS suggests you report it to the IRS and FTC simultaneously through IdentityTheft.gov. You can also contact the Identity Theft Resource Center toll-free. Call 888-400-5530 or live-chat on the website.
For more information about the Economic Impact Payments and how Wright-Patt Credit Union is here to help, click here.
Medical researchers and pharmaceutical companies have worked hard and fast to bring the world a viable COVID-19 vaccine. Unfortunately fraudsters and scammers are working just as quickly to use public interest in the vaccine in several emerging fraud schemes.
As COVID-19 vaccination begins, the FBI and Department of Health and Human Services is warning the public to be aware of potential indicators of fraudulent activity, including:
For more information, read the FBI press release or download this convenient flyer: Avoid COVID-10 Vaccine Scams.
Financial institutions in Southwest and Central Ohio – including Wright-Patt Credit Union – have recently seen an increase in cases of check scams and “spoofing.”
At WPCU, we have seen a rise in check and money order scams, including the “Car Wrap Scam." If you receive unsolicited checks or money orders in the mail, especially any relating to Car Wrap Ads please contact our Member Help Center at (800) 762-0047 and report the fraudulent activity to the FTC. As reminder, do not share any personal or account information with an unknown company or person. For more information about this scam click here.
"Spoofing" is when a fraudulent caller deliberately falsifies the information displayed on your caller ID to disguise his or her identity. Spoofing is often used as part of an attempt to trick someone into giving away valuable personal information so it can be used for fraudulent activity or sold illegally.
If you answer a call appearing on your Caller ID from Wright-Patt Credit Union and the phone number (937) 912-7000 (or any phone number for that matter), and the caller is seeking personal information such as account number, Social Security number, mother’s maiden name, passwords, debit/credit card numbers, PIN or CVV numbers, expiration dates, etc., hang up and call Wright-Patt Credit Union directly at (937) 912-7000 or (800) 762-0047 and use our phone navigation menu to reach our Member Help Center or the person/department who called you.
As a reminder, Wright-Patt Credit Union will never call or email asking you to provide us your personal or account information. However, in some cases, we may contact you asking to confirm recent transactions on your account to help identify potentially fraudulent activity.
If you receive a voicemail that displayed on your caller ID as Wright-Patt Credit Union and the phone number (937) 912-7000 or (800) 762-0047 (or any phone number for that matter), return the call to (937) 912-7000 or (800) 762-0047 (regardless of the number the caller asked you to call back) and go through the phone navigation menu to reach our Member Help Center or the person/department who called you. DO NOT call any other number provided by the caller.
For more helpful fraud prevention tips, click here.
Many people are vulnerable right now as they experience financial concerns from job layoffs and reduced hours. Cybercriminals are using this time to create new email and phone scams promising extra money in an attempt to steal your personal information and your money.
Example of COVID-19 Email Scam
Scammers are claiming to be a bank or credit union employee offering free money to help their customers. To access the funds, the recipient is asked to provide their online banking credentials, ultimately giving scammers full access to their account.
---------- Forwarded message --------- From: John Doe Member <YourEmail@email.com> Date: Tue, Mar 24, 2020 at 3:15 PM Subject: Re: My email To: mark smith marksmith23@abcmail.com
Who gave you permission to change my email address??
On Tue, Mar 24, 2020 at 2:36 PM mark smith <marksmith23@abcmail.com> wrote:
I'm a banker.. with a credit union bank… due to the COVID-19 we are given out help to people to sustain there needs.. And avoid going out but stay at home..this money is free and we notice not all people knows about this but few citizens..
I'm a banker.. with a credit union bank… due to the COVID-19 we are given out help to people to sustain there needs..
And avoid going out but stay at home..this money is free and we notice not all people knows about this but few citizens..
Government Relief Checks Scammers are also contacting people saying they can help them get their government relief check early. This is not true! Do not respond to texts or emails about relief checks from the federal government.
How do I stay protected from scams?
As a reminder, if you suspect any fraudulent activity, please contact our Member Help Center at (800) 762-0047 and report the activity to the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) as soon as possible.
With the increasing impact of coronavirus (COVID-19) on our communities, there have been reports that the U.S. government will soon be sending relief funds by check or direct deposit. It is important to understand that the details of such a relief program are still being worked out. The Federal Trade Commission (FTC) predicts scammers are starting to take advantage of this.
Please remember:
If you suspect a scam, please contact the FTC at www.ftc.gov/complaint.
To keep up to date with the latest Coronavirus-related scams please visit www.ftc.gov/coronavirus.
With the increasing concerns regarding COVID-19, or the coronavirus, cybercriminals using this time to create scams and attempt to steal your personal information or infect your devices with harmful malware.
For example, there has been a recent report of a fraudulent email that appeared to be from the CDC Health Alert Network claiming to provide a list of local cases. To access the list, recipients were instructed to click on a link in the email and then input personal information.
How Do I Stay Protected?
As a reminder, if you suspect any fraudulent activity, please contact our Member Help Center at (800) 762-0047 and report the activity to the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) as soon as possible.