It's payment related, it's web related, it's fraud related and it's PIN related, so I'll bring you this from 66 Federal Credit Union...Local credit union works to shut down fraudulent Web sites
By Special to the E-E
A local credit union has submitted nearly 50 fraudulent Web sites and 40 phone numbers for shutdown in the aftermath of a scam that targeted financial institutions.
66 Federal Credit Union and several other financial institutions across the country were recently the subject of a widespread attack from fraudulent entities enticing members to disclose personal financial information.
The attacks were in the form of mass e-mails, automated and live phone calls, as well as text messages to members and non-members alike. Officials say the similar characteristic in all of the fraudulent messages is that it directed the recipient to respond and give their personal financial information including account numbers, credit card or debit card numbers, expiration dates and PIN numbers. The fraudsters appear to have obtained home phone numbers, cellular phone numbers and e-mail addresses from publicly available lists and are using this public information to obtain more sensitive account information, say officials.
“We are diligently pursuing all of these criminals, and in the last two weeks alone we have submitted over 45 illegal Web sites to be shut down, and over 40 phone numbers to be discontinued,” said Marty O’Connell, chief information officer for 66 FCU.
In addition to reporting suspicious activity to the credit union, individuals who suffer losses are encouraged to file a complaint with the FBI at their Web site https://complaint.ic3.gov, and call (800) VISA-911 to review and block transactions on their credit card.
“All members should be reassured that the database that stores our members’ e-mail and phone records is the same database that contains their financial information,” O’Connell said “And if our database was in fact compromised, then there would be no need for these criminals to send out fraudulent messages, since they would already have all the information that they are requesting.”
Members are advised not to respond to any phone call, e-mail, text message, or other communication asking for personal information such as user names, passwords, PIN numbers, or account numbers including credit or debit card information. If making any call to the credit union, members should only use the phone numbers listed on the 66 FCU Web site at www.66fcu.org, or call (918)336-7662 and (800)897-6991.
By Special to the E-E
A local credit union has submitted nearly 50 fraudulent Web sites and 40 phone numbers for shutdown in the aftermath of a scam that targeted financial institutions.
66 Federal Credit Union and several other financial institutions across the country were recently the subject of a widespread attack from fraudulent entities enticing members to disclose personal financial information.
The attacks were in the form of mass e-mails, automated and live phone calls, as well as text messages to members and non-members alike. Officials say the similar characteristic in all of the fraudulent messages is that it directed the recipient to respond and give their personal financial information including account numbers, credit card or debit card numbers, expiration dates and PIN numbers. The fraudsters appear to have obtained home phone numbers, cellular phone numbers and e-mail addresses from publicly available lists and are using this public information to obtain more sensitive account information, say officials.
“We are diligently pursuing all of these criminals, and in the last two weeks alone we have submitted over 45 illegal Web sites to be shut down, and over 40 phone numbers to be discontinued,” said Marty O’Connell, chief information officer for 66 FCU.
In addition to reporting suspicious activity to the credit union, individuals who suffer losses are encouraged to file a complaint with the FBI at their Web site https://complaint.ic3.gov, and call (800) VISA-911 to review and block transactions on their credit card.
“All members should be reassured that the database that stores our members’ e-mail and phone records is the same database that contains their financial information,” O’Connell said “And if our database was in fact compromised, then there would be no need for these criminals to send out fraudulent messages, since they would already have all the information that they are requesting.”
Members are advised not to respond to any phone call, e-mail, text message, or other communication asking for personal information such as user names, passwords, PIN numbers, or account numbers including credit or debit card information. If making any call to the credit union, members should only use the phone numbers listed on the 66 FCU Web site at www.66fcu.org, or call (918)336-7662 and (800)897-6991.
