VISA TELEPHONE SCAM!!
Be aware that there is a current telephone scam going around. The person receives an automated call saying some changes will be made to their card and to push one of the following options to find out more information. Once a button is pushed the automated call will ask for further information to identify yourself and your card account information.. DO NOT give out any personal or card information to anyone unless you are absolutely sure you know who you are talking to and that they are an employee of Dakota Plains Credit Union. These scams will become more prevalent as times go on. Please be diligent in protecting all your personal and account information. These scams can and do, appear and sound very authentic. If you have any questions or concerns please any office of Dakota Plains Credit Union.
FRAUD alert update - december 1, 2010
Dakota Plains Credit Union continues to monitor fraudulent activity in Mexico. It appears that the fraudulent activity goes in cycles. To protect our cardholders and to minimize financial loss we will continue to block all transactions in Mexico. If you have plans to travel in Mexico please contact the credit union and we can work with you so that you are able to use your card while in Mexico. If fraud is detected on your card Falcon (a fraud detection company that is outsourced by DPCU) will be contacting you to verify the charges. It is very important that we have current phone numbers on our system so Falcon and our staff are able to contact you. Please review your monthly statements for any unauthorized activity. Thank you for your cooperation on this matter!
FRAUD ALERT: Email Solicitation Using NCUA’s Address
This fraud alert is to inform Dakota Plains Credit Union members about a recent phishing attempt to obtain their credit card account numbers, expiration dates and electronic signatures. In cases reported to NCUA, the perpetrator(s) sent fraudulent e-mails, representing to be from the NCUA, to credit union members and the general public. The emails state the NCUA will add $50.00 to the member’s account for taking part in a survey. The link embedded in the message directs members to a counterfeit version of NCUA’s website with an illicit survey that solicits credit card account numbers and confidential personal information. We are highly concerned about the risk of imitating the NCUA website and the use of the NCUA official logo to potentially make the scam appear more authentic to unsuspecting members. Neither NCUA nor Dakota Plains Credit Union will ever ask credit union members or the general public for personal account or personally identifiable information as part of a survey. Any e-mail that alleges to be from NCUA and asks for account information is fraudulent and should be treated as suspicious. NCUA has taken steps to shut this site down, but credit union members should remain alert to possible variations of this fraudulent e-mail.
Dakota Plains Credit Union management will remain vigilant and instruct employees to monitor and identify any fraudulent activities due to this phishing attempt.
Members who clicked on any of the e-mail links should consult with a computer security or anti-virus specialist to assess the need to re-install a clean image of the computer system. Dakota Plains Credit Union also encourages members to take the following additional precautions:
- Scan affected computers using updated anti-virus software.
- Enable automatic updates for anti-virus software and computer operating systems.
- Install security patches for common software applications promptly.
- Be aware that phishing e-mails frequently have links to Web pages that host malicious code and software.
- Do not open unsolicited or unexpected e-mail attachments.
- Do not follow Web links in unsolicited e-mails from apparent federal banking agencies, instead, bookmark or type the agency’s Web address.
- Call the agency using a known and appropriate telephone number to verify the legitimacy of the message and attached file.
Members affected by this scam, and variants of this scam, are advised to forward the entire e-mail message to Phishing@ncua.gov. Additionally, formal complaints concerning any suspected fraudulent e-mail can be filed with the Internet Fraud Complaint Center (IFCC) at www.ic3.gov. The IFCC is a partnership between the Federal Bureau of Investigation and the National White Collar Crime Center.
Identity theft involves acquiring key pieces of someone's identifying information, such as name, address, date of birth, social security number and mother's maiden name, in order to impersonate them. This information enables the identity thief to commit numerous forms of fraud which include, but are not limited to, taking over the victim's financial accounts, opening new bank accounts, purchasing automobiles, applying for loans, credit cards and social security benefits, renting apartments, and establishing services with utility and phone companies. There are two types of identity theft: New Account and Account Takeover.
Key Preventive Actions
- Promptly remove mail from your mailbox after delivery
- Deposit outgoing mail in post office collection mailboxes or at your local post office. Do not leave in unsecured mail receptacles
- Never give personal information over the telephone
- Shred pre-approved credit applications, credit card receipts, bills and other financial information
- Empty your wallet of extra credit cards and IDs
- Order your credit report from the three credit bureaus once a year to check for fraudulent activity
- Never leave receipts at bank/credit union machines, bank/credit union counters, trash receptacles, or unattended gasoline pumps
- Memorize your social security number and all of your passwords
- Sign the back of all new credit cards with your signature upon receipt (It is illegal to sign the back "Check Photo ID")
- Save all credit card receipts and match them against your monthly bill
- Report all lost or stolen credit cards immediately
Internet and OnLine Services
- Use caution when disclosing checking account numbers, credit card numbers or other personal financial data at any web site or online service location unless you receive a secured authentication key from your provider
- When you subscribe to an online service, you may be asked to give credit card information. When you enter any interactive service site, beware of con artists who may ask you to "confirm" your enrollment service by disclosing passwords or credit card account number used to subscribe
- Check out the FTC website for practical information on a variety of consumer topics. The information here can help you avoid rip-offs and exercise your consumer rights
Who to Contact Regarding Your Credit Report
| Equifax PO Box 105873 Atlanta, GA 30348-5873 Telephone: 1-800-997-2493 www.equifax.com |
Experian Information Solutions PO Box 949 Allen, TX 75013-0949 Telephone: 1-888-397-3742 www.experian.com |
TransUnion PO Box 390 Springfield, PA 19064-0390 Telephone: 1-800-916-8800 www.tuc.com |
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Action Steps for Identity Theft Victims
- Contact all creditors, by phone and in writing, to inform them of the problem
- Call your nearest U.S. Postal Inspection Service office and your local police
- Contact the Federal Trade Commission to report the problem
- Call each of the three credit bureaus' fraud units to report identity theft. Ask to have a "Fraud Alert/Victim Impact" statement placed in your credit file asking that creditors call you before opening any new accounts
- Alert your banks/credit unions to flag your accounts and contact you to confirm any unusual activity
- Request a change of PIN and a new password
- Keep a log of all your contacts and make copies of all documents. You may also want to contact a privacy or consumer advocacy group regarding illegal activity
- Contact the Social Security Administration's Fraud Hotline
- Contact the state office of the Department of Motor Vehicles to see if another license was issued in your name. If so, request a new license number and fill out the DMV's compliant form to begin the fraud investigation process.
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Report Identity Theft to:
- Equifax Credit Bureau, Fraud 1-800-525-6285
- Experian Information Solutions 1-888-397-3742
- TransUnion Credit Bureau, Fraud 1-800-680-7289
- Federal Trade Commission 1-877-FTC-Help or visit web site >>
- Local Police Department
- Social Security Administration, Fraud Hotline 1-800-269-0271
- U.S. Postal Inspection Service - or visit web site >>
