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Security Alerts... Fraudulent E-Mail Alert... May 12, 2008 It has been brought to our attention that an e-mail is currently in circulation asking GPO Federal Credit Union Members to renew their online account, because their online account has expired. THIS E-MAIL DID NOT ORIGINATE FROM GPO! Please know that GPO will never ask for sensitive account information via e-mail. This is the e-mail that was circulated: Dear GPO Federal Credit Union Customer,
This is your official
notification from GPO Federal Credit Union , your online account has
expired. If you want To continue click here, complete the renew form with your current information. Many Thanks and Kind Regards - GPO Federal Credit Union - Update Department
CUNA & Wal-Mart Phishing Emails (April 2008) The Credit Union National Association (CUNA) and Wal-Mart Stores have reported shutting down a new e-mail phishing attempt purportedly from CUNA and advising of a Wal-Mart data breach. This email is FRAUDULENT: CUNA is aware of the recent data breach at Wal-Mart Stores, Inc. and is taking proactive steps to address the situation. The Customer Security Team at CUNA is currently gathering information regarding the data breach and will react swiftly in the best interests of its customers, including the re-issue of compromised cards, if necessary. It is important to note that CUNA has effective fraud monitoring systems in place and is constantly reviewing our accounts for fraudulent and/or suspicious activity. The security of your account is very important to us. Moving forward, we recommend that all CUNA customers review their account activity on an ongoing basis and report to us any suspicious activity. In addition, if is recommended that customers activate "enhanced card security" to block their accounts... It then directs you to call Customer Care at a specified number to activate the enhanced card security. "This scam is notable for several reasons", said Kevin Knope, director of Web Services at CUNA: - It mentions a specific incident -- a Wal-Mart Breach -- rather than the generic 'your account has been compromised'. - It does not state that the account has been locked. Instead it offers a benefit of 'enhanced card security.' It does not make a claim of urgency. - It provides a link to a legitimate third-party site, in this case, an anti-phishing group, nophishing.org. Please remember, never provide personal account information to anyone over the phone, in response to emails, and on websites that you don't trust.
Credit Card Phone Scam Alert... 1/31/08 Please be alert of this current fraud scam. This scam is pretty slick, as the person provides you with all of the relevant information to make you feel at ease, except for the CVV2 code on the back of your card. The scam works like this: Caller -- "This is (name) and I'm calling from the Security and Fraud Department at Visa. My badge number is (number). 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 financial institution). 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 that 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 this correct?" You say "Yes". The caller continues -- "I will be starting a Fraud investigation. If you have any questions, you should call the 1-800 number listed on the back of your card and ask for Security. You will need to refer to this Control Number..." (the caller then gives you a 6-digit number and asks if you need to hear it again.) Here's the IMPORTANT PART on how the scam works. The caller then asks you to read off the three digit CVV2 code. After you provide the Cvv2, 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. You actually say very little, and they never ask for or tell you the card number. This scam was discovered when the cardholder contacted VISA with questions. The real VISA Security Department confirmed that it was a scam, and within 15 minutes, a new purchase of $497.99 was charged to their card. If you discover this scam, immediately hang up the phone, file a fraud report, block the account, and have a new card reissued. REMEMBER -- neither VISA or GPO will ask you for any information on your card, as they already have that information from when the card was issued.
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