Education & Security

Security Alerts

The Credit Union Association of New York has been notified of a phishing scam targeting financial institutions, including credit unions, in the Southern Tier and Finger Lakes regions. Members are receiving calls and text messages urging them to reactivate “blocked” ATM or debit cards by sharing sensitive information.

Credit Union National Association is aware of phone calls, text messages, and emails being made about:

• Account Activation, or De-activation
• Confirming Account or Credit Card Numbers
• Account Status Alert
• Changes to Terms and Conditions
• Irregular Activity

The e-mails and text messages ask that the customer call a number in order to have their account reactivated. Some may request that you leave callback information or provide your financial information directly. All of these messages are fraudulent. Please do not respond to these messages.

The Credit Union National Association is the trade association for credit unions in the US. CUNA does not maintain any type of customer/member financial information.

Additionally, your financial institution would never solicit your personal identification information via email or telephone. If you did respond to such a solicitation, you should contact your financial institution directly using the local phone number provided by your financial institution.

Automated Phone Message Attack in Progress

A Card Alert Service member financial institution reported today that they are under an automated message attack in the Provo, Utah area. Pre-recorded phone messages are being delivered to random consumers with the warning that their debit cards have been closed. When the consumers call the telephone number provided by the fraudsters they hear a recording that requests a 16-digit card number and PIN. Please do not call these numbers-they may still be active. This matter is under investigation.

What you need to know

The local Utah US Secret Service field office has been notified of this situation.

Provo, Utah and surrounding areas should be on alert.

The following numbers have all been used to perpetrate this scam:

1. 443-912-1000

2. 305-555-5555

3. 888-839-3613

4. 954-447-4110

5. 412-381-2300

6. 954-447-4110

Suggested Best Practices

Immediately contact your long distance provider for assistance in getting fraudulent telephone numbers disabled during a text message or automated message attack.

If your financial institution is being targeted with a text message scam please post a bold warning on your institution’s online banking Web site warning your clients to use extreme caution when responding to unusual contact via text or telephone.

Contact your local US Secret Service field office immediately and request assistance.

Seek out a qualified crisis management company that specializes in phishing and text message attack mitigation like FraudWatch International http://www.fraudwatchinternational.com/ Telephone: 1-(888)-823-2409.

The Card Alert Service has created a consumer oriented publication entitled “Safety tips that reduce your exposure to fraud” This complimentary fact sheet contains five simple things every consumer can do to reduce their exposure to criminal fraud scams. To obtain a copy please visit Card Alert’s fraud forum Web site www.fraudalertnetwork.com The fact sheet is located in the “Online Publications” discussion area. About The Card Alert Service

Participating Card Alert Service payment networks include: ACCEL/Exchange; Alaska Option; CIRRUS MasterCard; CO-OP Financial Services; NYCE Payments Network; and STAR Network.

Economic Development Resources

• National Federation of Community Development Credit Unions
• National Credit Union Administration
• Credit Union National Association & Affiliates
• The Credit Union Homepage

Favorite Credit Union sites:

• Alternatives Federal Credit Union, Ithaca, NY
• Actors Federal Credit Union, Manhattan, NY
• Bethex Federal Credit Union, Bronx, NY