Phishing alert – September 15, 2010
Phishing alert
Phone scam
Protect your debit card
Important Phone Numbers & Websites
Phishing Alert: CUETS – September 15, 2010
We have been made aware of a current e-mail phishing attempt that took place on September 13. Phishing, also call brand spoofing, is a form of Internet fraud in which e-mail messages are used to lure people to web sites that are replicas of sites used by legitimate businesses. These web sites are used to trick users into divulging credit card numbers, bank account information, and passwords that will be used to commit fraud.
The phishing e-mail on September 13 was sent to a number of credit union members from services@cucardsonline.com (services null@null cucardsonline NULL.com) with the following message:
Subject: [Ref#58813934] Procedural Warning – Security Alert
Dear Customer your online account is out of date.
We need you to complete an account update for your account security.
To start the security process, please login inside your account http://www.cucardsonline.com (http://www NULL.cucardsonline NULL.com/)
and follow the steps.
2010 CUETS Financial All rights reserved.
The simplest way to protect yourself from fraudsters is to avoid clicking on any unexpected link in an e-mail message. Do not reply to e-mails soliciting personal information.
If you do spot something suspicious, go to the company’s legitimate web site. Most sites have an option on their home page labeled “Contact Us” or something similar and that information can be used to report the phishing attempt. If you have provided sensitive personal information before realizing you may be a phishing victim, report the matter to your local police and keep a copy of the police report. You may need that documentation to resolve any fraudulent transactions.
PHISHING ALERT: CUETS
CUETS has posted a notice on their System Board stating a fraudulent email has been circulating. It suggests that the credit union member click on the link to update their account. THIS IS A FRAUDULENT EMAIL and has not been authorized by CUETS or their Credit Union Cards online email address. They would never ask cardholders to update their information this way and CUETS advise members NOT to click on the link.
CUETS System Notice: Please be advised of a phishing email attempt caisse populaire and credit union members may receive regarding the CUETS MasterCard site http://www.cucardsonline.com. (http://www NULL.cucardsonline NULL.com NULL.%c2%a0/) Users are directed to an imposter site where personal information is requested. Information regarding the attempt will be posted to the legitimate site and an email will be sent to the site users advising of the phishing attempt. Our contact center and loss prevention teams are standing by to assist cardholders. CUETS – Report a Member Card or CU Credit Card Lost or Stolen-1-800-567-8111
FRAUD ALERT: Phone scam targets the elderly
The Winnipeg Police Service is warning the public about scam artists who pose as grandchildren in trouble and persuade elderly victims to send them money.
Police say they have received increased reports lately about the “emergency” or “grandparent” scam in which a suspect calls an elderly person claiming to be his or her grandchild.
The suspects claim they are in jail or have been involved in some other emergency, such as an accident, and need money wired to them. Wanting to help their grandchild, the victim sends money by a money transfer company such as MoneyGram or Western Union.
Variations on the scam exist, such as the suspect posing as an old neighbor, a friend of the family and so on, but predominantly the emergency scam is directed toward the “grandparents”. The suspect encourages the grandparent not to tell anyone about the incident as he or she is embarrassed about the situation.
Protect your debit card from skimming
What Is Debit Card Skimming?
Card skimming involves the unauthorized copying of electronic data from your debit card. Hidden equipment, such as pin-hole cameras and card reading devices, are installed to obtain your PIN and card data, and the stolen data is then encoded onto a counterfeit card, which is used to withdraw funds without your knowledge.
How To Protect Yourself
Use your hand or body to shield your PIN when you are conducting transactions at an Automated Teller Machine (ATM) or at a point-of-sale terminal. See Protect your PIN.
Keep an eye on your banking card when conducting a transaction at the point-of-sale, and only allow your card to be swiped once.
Check your transaction records against your financial statements regularly. If you detect any unusual activity, contact your financial institution immediately.
If your debit card is lost, stolen or retained by an ATM, notify your financial institution immediately.
Your PIN is the key security feature, so never disclose your PIN to anyone. If you suspect that someone knows your PIN, change it immediately.
When using an ATM, if you suspect anything unusual do not use the machine and report it to the financial institution immediately.
Be alert. If someone is watching you or makes you feel uncomfortable, cancel the transaction and use a different machine.
What To Do If You Become A Victim Of Debit Card Fraud
If you suspect you have been a victim of debit card fraud, contact your financial institution immediately.
Consumers are protected by the Canadian Code of Practice for Consumer Debit Card Services, under which all proven victims of debit card fraud will not suffer any financial losses.
http://www.interac.ca/consumers/security.php (http://www NULL.interac NULL.ca/consumers/security NULL.php)
Important Phone Numbers and Websites
Reporting Scams or Attempted Scams
Phone Busters
1-888-495-8501
www.phonebusters.com (http://www NULL.phonebusters NULL.com/)
On-line Fraud can also be reported at:
http://www.recol.ca (http://www NULL.recol NULL.ca/)
Reporting Economic Crime Online is a website supported by the Royal Canadian Mounted Police and other participating agencies.
CUETS – Report a Member Card or CU Credit Card Lost or Stolen-1-800-567-8111
Safe Canada www.safecanada.ca (http://www NULL.safecanada NULL.ca/link_e NULL.asp?category=5&topic=41) provides info on all types of scams, frauds, identity theft, senior abuse and credit repair.
Consumer Measure’s Committee’s website (http://cmcweb NULL.ca/eic/site/cmc-cmc NULL.nsf/eng/Home) provides info on Identity Theft.
