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Current Scams


Tax Information Needed Scam (February 6, 2012)

-----Original Message-----
From: INTUIT INC. [mailto:tools@intuit.com]
Sent: Sunday, February 05, 2012 7:32 AM
To:
Subject: Important! Update your tax information!.
Dear Sir/Madam,

With intent to ensure that exact data is being sustained on our systems, and to improve the quality of service we can provide to you; INTUIT INC. has taken part in the Internal Revenue Service [IRS] Name and TIN Matching Program.

We have discovered, that your name and/or Social Security Number, that is stated on your account is not in compliance with the data on file with the SSA.
In order to enable INTUIT INC. to update your account, please click here < --------------> .

Yours sincerely,
INTUIT INC.
Corporate Headquarters
2632 Marine Way
Mountain View, CA 94043



American Airlines Scam (February 4, 2012)

A member came in to see us regarding an email he received from American
Airlines confirming his flight. THIS IS A SCAM AND VIRUS! Our Credit Union Representative spoke with an American Airlines represenatative and she informed us that they are investigating the issue and that people who have called them have not received any charges on their accounts.
 
If you receive one of the emails: DO NOT OPEN THE EMAIL OR ZIP FILE ATTACHED AND DELETE IMMEDIATELY!



Phishing Attack  (January 26, 2012)
 
We have become aware of recent phishing emails that reference the “eNFact” product. eNFact is a fraud protection system used by many financial institutions to monitor debit and credit card activity and identify and prevent fraud. The email directs recipients to click on a link that takes them to a mock-Fiserv site that may install malicious software. This may be a serious threat. The phishing attack is contained in a fraudulent email identical or similar to the one that follows:
 
-----Original Message-----

From: eNFACT Notifications [mailto:noreply@enfactnotifications.com]
Sent: Thursday, January 26, 2012 11:34 AM
To: Recipients
Subject: eNFACT Case #29018

To protect your account, we monitor your ATM and debit card transactions for potentially fraudulent activity which may include a sudden change in locale (such as when a U.S.-issued card is used unexpectedly overseas), a sudden string of costly purchases, or any pattern associated with new fraud trends around the world.


An eNFACT Case was generated for the cardholder below:
Transaction 1 Information:
A charge on 10/23/2011 in the amount of $438.09 in ITALY
Transaction Score: 981

Transaction 2 Information:
A charge on 10/23/2011 in the amount of $513.14 in ITALY
Transaction Score: 918

Transaction 3 Information:
A charge on 10/22/2011 in the amount of $0.02 at O RANCH
Transaction Score: 37

The eNFACT Case is generated when a suspect transaction is detected. If this transaction was not initiated by you as the credit card holder please follow the steps as shown at : http://www.efactnotify.com/

Please be sure to complete the Case Resolution Notification (CRN) Form at (http://www.efactnotify.com/). If you have any questions, or would like additional information pertaining to this eNFACT Case, please contact the Card Processing Center at 800-262-2024.
 
If you have received this phishing attack via email, or if you receive it at any time from this point forward:


1. Do NOT OPEN the email; 
 
2. Do NOT CLICK ON THE LINK contained in the email; clicking on any of the links contained in the email may install malicious software on your system; 
 
3. If a link is clicked, please CONTACT US IMMEDIATELY so we can take the necessary precautions to protect your account; 
 
4. Report the email to Central Maine Credit Union at 207-783-1475; 
 
5. DELETE the email from your “Inbox” and “Sent” Items.








Intuit, Inc. Scam ( January 26, 2012)

The following is an example of a scam email that is currently making the rounds.  Please beware.  No credit union, bank, broker or credit card company will send you emails asking you for your account or personal information.  They already have this information.  If you are concerned, call your financial institution directly at the phone number on your statement.  Never call the phone number on emails.
 
Your tax information needs verification.
 
onlinebanking@ealerts.bankofamerica.com
 
Dear Account Holder,
 
In our continuing effort to guarantee that correct information is being kept up on our systems, and to be able to give you better quality of service; INTUIT INC. has taken part in the Internal Revenue Service [IRS] Name and TIN Matching Program.
 
We have discovered, that your name and/or Taxpayer Identification Number, that is indicated on your account does not match the information obtained from the IRS and/or SSA.
 
In order to check and correct the information on your account, please enter the site <http://> .
 
Yours sincerely,
INTUIT INC.
 
 
Corporate Headquarters
2632 Marine Way
Mountain View, CA 94043








Mortgage Fraud Tactics

The California Department of Real Estate is advising consumers look out for mortgage relief, loan modifications, and foreclosure rescue scams perpetrated by fraudsters on financially strapped homeowners looking for a way out of trouble.

One prominent tactic used by scamsters and third-party operators is to ask for an up-front fee from homeowners in exchange for promised reduced monthly mortgage payments. When the fee is paid, the con artists do little or nothing to procure the loan modification for the bilked homeowner.

It is not necessary for consumers to use third-party operators, because they may not enhance a homeowner's ability to obtain a payment modification--and may hinder working with the homeowner's mortgage servicer, said the California Association of Realtors. Any ads that claim to "stop foreclosure now" and offer "money-back guarantees," should be considered with caution, the association said.

Third-party fraudsters scan foreclosure notices in public filings and the news media to locate potential victims, according to the Federal Trade Commission.  










AARP Advice
The American Association of Retired Persons (AARP) has compiled a list of the five most malicious scams consumers are likely to encounter in 2012.
 
The Nigerian letter. In this advance-fee scam, someone unknown to the consumer offers promises of great riches. Lonely people in financial distress are usually targeted by scammers trying to take advantage of kindness,  generosity or greed. While this scam is old, new variations make it more effective in trapping the vulnerable and unwary. The questionable plea promising millions of dollars has been replaced by more clever approaches: a foreign business person trying to set up a domestic bank account, a parent trying to raise money to help free a hostage child, or a U.S. soldier trying to ship home war booty to help his dying mother. Data mining now allows the scammers to appear more legitimate by personalizing the messages.
 
DO NOT respond to these types of inquiries. Instead, delete any e-mails of this type and throw away any paper mail.
 
Exploitation through education. With this type of scam, fraudsters offer a "secret" system, manipulating the consumer's emotions while promising riches or easy success. Persons of middle age and seniors looking to change careers are usually targeted. Scammers entice the education-seeking unemployed with promises to get rich quick with the secret plan, win a high-paying job with the streamlined schooling, or pass a test for a chance at a nice government job. Victims often learn little they couldn't find in their local library, but become burdened with thousands of dollars in bogus tuition and fees.
 
Avoid making same-day decisions. Any career or education decision merits research and referrals.
 
Trumped up diagnoses of problems.  Here, fraudsters exploit consumers' lack of expertise, their trust in authority and any critical need.  Most consumers are cautious when an auto mechanic discovers a previously undetected, but expensive, car repair. The mechanic has personal interest in pointing out the pricey problem. That same conflict of interest now appears in other industries. AARP cited hearing specialists who hawk hearing aids and financial planners pitching a brand of mutual funds as examples of scams exploiting consumers' trust.
  
Facebook scams. An organization or person who doesn't know you may attempt to "friend" you via Facebook, exploiting the trust of the "safe" social-network environment. While Facebook keeps people connected, the walled-off environment of filtered contacts that consumers have learned to trust has also led them to a false sense of security that scammers take advantage of. Once "friended," they link out of the safe environment to an external site where they can attack via viruses or pitched scam offers.
 
DO NOT respond to or "friend" any person or organization that you do not know.
 
Phishing. In "phishing," a false entity asks for information it should already have--if it were the legitimate entity--and targets anyone with a bank or credit card account. Armed with consumers' names, addresses and phone numbers, phishers call or e-mail consumers with requests to "verify" other personal information such as Social Security number, credit card information and banking data.
 
AARP advises that the best defense to these scams is to avoid making quick decisions and divulging any personal information. Discuss any financial decision with a friend or relative, and take at least 24 hours to mull it over.











Be Gift-Card Savvy

You'll probably give and receive at least one gift this holiday season. Gift cards, a one-size-fits-all way to give a present, have skyrocketed in popularity in recent years. It's more important than ever to be savvy about buying and giving gift cards. And on the flip side, make sure you properly use the ones you receive.

Smart ideas for buying a gift card:






  • Consider how your recipient will use it. Gift cards come in two varieties: Retail gift cards are sold by retailers and restaurants and can be used only with those merchants. Bank gift cards display the brand logo of a payment-card network, such as Visa, MasterCard, American Express, and so forth. You can use these national-branded gift cards wherever the brand is accepted.
  • Avoid fees and expiration dates. Fees might be charged at the time of purchase or can be deducted from the card after you pay for it. In the store, fee details usually are posted on the gift-card sleeve. Online, look for details posted on the issuer's website. If you're buying by phone, ask about shipping and handling fees. Always check for expiration dates.
  • Inspect the location and condition of the card. In stores, look for gift cards located safely behind the cashier's counter or customer-service desk. Don't buy a card that appears to have been tampered with. For example, make sure the protective sticker is intact and the code on the back has not been scratched off. One form of gift-card theft is to write down an exposed gift card number, monitor it online and, when activated, quickly access and drain the card before the owner becomes aware of it. Online, avoid buying gift cards from auction sites--they may be selling counterfeit cards or cards obtained by fraud.
  • Watch the cashier. Make sure the amount you pay is the same as the value of the card. The best way to do this is to watch the cashier scan the card. One popular scam is for a cashier to pretend to activate the card, hand it to you, and pocket your money.
  • Investigate the financial condition of the card seller. The card may lose value if the issuer goes out of business or files for bankruptcy. Another possibility is that the issuing business closes a store near the recipient.
  • Give a receipt along with the card. If the receipt doesn't include the card's ID number, provide it as well. If the card gets lost or stolen, the receipt and ID number help the retailer track where the card was activated and used, and usually will qualify the recipient for a refund or replacement.
Tips for using a gift card:

  • Ask the giver for important card information. This includes the original purchase receipt and the card's ID number. If not obvious, find out where you can use the card, the terms, conditions, expiration date, and fees. Write down or photocopy the toll-free number for reporting lost or stolen cards; keep this information in a safe place.
  • Use it soon. This is especially the case if you still have a card you received last year. This helps you avoid possible maintenance fees, expiration, or misplacing or losing the card. Better yet, you can take advantage of post-holiday discounts.
  • Think of it as cash. Although some issuers will replace lost or stolen cards, you might not be able to recover any of its value, or might have to pay a fee to do so.


INHERITANCE SCAM

-----Original Message-----
From: Barr.Garvin Aboh [mailto:g.arvinaboh@attorney.com]
Sent: Thursday, December 01, 2011 4:26 PM
Subject: ARE YOU AWARE REGARDING YOUR INHERITANCE?
　
Please I will like to know if you have hired Attorney John Palmer as your representative towards the collection of your Inheritance with the deposit company. Because am corresponding to the false Email claims I daily receive from Attorney John Palmer. That you have requested and hired his services as your representative Attorney to make the collection of your $1.5Million USD inheritance estate cheque funds collection.
　
I will not oblige to his request, the reason is because you have not personally notify me about his coming and also after making consultations with the law suit Chamber he claimed he represent. I was told such name do not exist with the law firm either in the past or present. Without wasting much time, I have taken your cheque inheritance collection to the finance ministry to de-activate the Encrypted code been placed on it by your benefactor. All this activity was done by me last week to enable me conclude the final phase of your transaction with the finance ministry.
　
Meanwhile, I have received response from the Deposits company that they have received your package collection Friday last week at about 14:00 GMT.Because they were the issuing bank deposits company that notify me earlier that you have a package collection consignment for pick up as bestowed in the will document papers of late Rev Mrs.Keli who issued you this $1.5Million USD payment cheque in your name. So as the attorney to the deceased I was out-rightly informed about your collections which prompt me to take decisive actions immediately by following what was stated in her will papers.
　
Once again, I hope and pray you use your Inheritance collection payment as issued to you wisely by investing with it and paying One tenth of it as your tithe to any Red Cross society or orphanage homes near you in helping a soul today.
　
Furthermore, your compliance towards this E-mail is highly anticipated, to enable the deposit company remit your inheritance payment cheque to you immediately, thank you.
　
I really want to know your stands on this matter before I pull OFF.
　
Signed:
Barrister Garvin Aboh Esq.
Legal Consultant on Mortgage Equity and Financial network, England.


Black Friday, Cyber Monday bring out shopping scams

Black Friday is traditionally the biggest shopping day of the year. More recently, the Monday following Thanksgiving has been adopted as Cyber Monday, endorsed by the e-commerce industry as a day of sales and promotions.
  
The National Foundation for Credit Counseling offers the following advice as you set out on your Christmas and holiday shopping:

  • Beware of special credit card offers. Issuers are tempting consumers by offering incentives such as no-interest balance transfers, extra perks by meeting certain spending levels, and increased cash back in specified categories. However, no deal is a good deal if you can't afford it.  Responsible shoppers will commit to spending no more than what they can repay in full when the bill arrives.
  • Review all existing debt obligations. You should review loans and credit card balances before they head to the stores, so they know what they are already committed to repay.  This reality check may put a temporary damper on the holiday mood, but it's better than digging a deeper financial hole.
  • Create a plan. Know what you are shopping for, and, most critically, what you plan to spend.
  • Find the best deals at home. Compare prices online before heading out to stores. Be aware of time restrictions. Some prices may apply only during certain times throughout the day. Once the actual shopping begins, going directly to the store that has the item at a good price will save time, gas, money and frustration.
  • Limit spending to as few cards as possible. Spreading purchases across multiple cards can trick you into overspending. Holiday shoppers should designate one card for holiday spending, and remove all others from their wallets. This will not only help you stay within their budgets, it will also lessen the damage in case of loss or theft.
If you’re shopping online this holiday season, we offer these tips from the Internet Crime Complaint Center to avoid being victims of cyberfraud:

  • Do not respond to unsolicited (spam) e-mail
  • Do not click on links contained within an unsolicited e-mail.
  • Be cautious of e-mail claiming to contain pictures in attached files, because the files may contain viruses. Only open attachments from known senders. Always run a virus scan on attachment before opening.
  • Avoid filling out forms contained in e-mail messages that ask for personal information.
  • Log on directly to the official website for the business identified in the e-mail, instead of "linking" to it from an unsolicited e-mail. If the e-mail appears to be from your financial institution, credit card issuer, or other company you deal with frequently, statements or official correspondence from the business will provide the proper contact information.
  • Contact the actual business that supposedly sent the e-mail to verify that the e-mail is genuine.
  • If you are requested to act quickly or if there is an "emergency," it may be a scam. Fraudsters create a sense of urgency to get you to act impulsively.
  • If the you receive a request for personal information from a business or financial institution, always look up the main contact information for the requesting company on an independent source (phone book, trusted Internet directory or legitimate billing statement) and use that contact information to verify the legitimacy of the request.
  • If a deal looks too good to be true, it probably is.
Happy shopping!


Lottery Scam Fraudulently Claims to Be From Council of Better Business Bureaus

Better Business Bureau warns that a scam is fraudulently using the organization’s name in order to steal tens of thousands of dollars from victims who are led to believe they have won a lottery. BBB has been notified an individual was contacted over the phone by someone claiming they were with the Council of Better Business Bureaus (CBBB).  The caller indicated the individual had won a BBB lottery, but to receive the winnings, taxes and fees must be paid in advance.

“Many people are struggling in the current economy and when someone tells you that you’ve won millions in a lottery, it can seem like an answer to prayer,” said Stephen A. Cox, President and CEO of CBBB. “Every year, tens of thousands of people contact BBB about a suspicious lottery and instead of cashing in, many lose thousands of dollars they don’t have.  This one involves our name and so we want to get the word out right away that this is a scam.”

Better Business Bureau reminds consumers that anyone who receives a call, letter or e-mail about winning a lottery should consult the following checklist to avoid falling victim to a lottery scam:

Make sure the story checks out. Always confirm the facts directly with the organization the representative claims to be from—whether it’s Better Business Bureau or any other organization. Use contact information that you found on your own from the organization’s website; don’t rely on phone numbers or web links provided by the representative. Scammers often pretend to be from legitimate businesses or non-profits and a quick call directly to the organization can help set the record straight.

Never pay money to get money. Lottery scammers make their money by convincing victims that they have to pay money up front—to cover such costs as taxes or fees—in order to receive their winnings. Because it is extremely difficult for the victim to track or retrieve money sent via wire transfer, scammers will often use this as their payment method of choice.

Don’t fall for the phony check. Scammers will often send a check in the mail to the victim with the instructions that—in order to receive the full prize—he or she must deposit the check and wire back a portion of the funds to cover fees or taxes. This gives the victim a false sense of security because the check will clear initially but eventually be discovered as a fake.  Once the money is withdrawn from a victim’s account, he or she has lost  the funds sent to the scammer.

If you have been contacted by someone indicating they are a Better Business Bureau employee and have money to offer you, we urge you to contact your local BBB immediately to report the incident.



Visa Credit Card Fraud Alert - November 2, 2011

A member of a credit union has reported receiving a phone call from someone claiming to be hired by their credit union, and asking them to update all their Visa information, after which a $100 gift card would be sent to the member on behalf of the credit union.
 
Please be advised that this is a scam, and members should hang up immediately if such a call is received.


Your newborn could be a victim of ID theft - October 24, 2011

When a Social Security number is assigned to a child, there's no way to check if that number already has been used by criminals or used by mistake by other adults. Organized cyber-criminals know this, and have turned what used to be a minor domestic crime into global ID trafficking (eWeekEurope Oct. 17).
 
The new twist on "old" child identity theft--a family member using a child's Social Security number to get around having poor credit--makes children even more vulnerable. Thieves are eager to get their hands on children's Social Security numbers because there's no credit history, and they can pair the numbers with any name and birth date. Inactive Social Security numbers, most of them assigned to children younger than age 18, can be found online; crooks then can sell those numbers under different names with the intent of helping people establish fake credit.
  
Unless parents take the initiative to check for child identity theft, the crime can go unnoticed until the young adult applies for credit after turning age 18. By then, she could have hundreds of thousands of dollars of bad debt racked up in her name or Social Security number--an unwelcome surprise to her and to her parents, who had no idea their child's sensitive information was vulnerable.
 
Take these precautions:

  • Never use your child's Social Security number to open accounts. This may be tempting if you have bad credit, but not paying those bills on time now could keep her from getting school loans, an apartment, or even a job in the future.
  • Watch for preapproved credit offers in the child's name. Investigate further to see if your child is a victim.
  • Don't request a regular credit report to check for signs of child identity theft. Since most child identity theft now occurs by attaching the Social Security number to a new name and birth date, credit reports that check for a full match of name, birth date, and Social Security number won't detect the fraud.
  • Use ITRC Letter Form 120 to request a child's credit report. Visit idtheftcenter.org and enter "120A" in the search box. Identity Theft Resource Center's Fact Sheet 120A has information about what to include in your request of the three credit reporting agencies, and a template you can use.

USED VEHICLE SCAM - October 18, 2011

Many consumers opt for buying used vehicles. The internet allows consumers to research options and buy used vehicles through online classifieds. Unfortunately, scammers also are finding internet classifieds a ripe hunting ground.

These tactics can help you avoid scams if you use the internet to buy a car:

  • Background check. Learn more about your seller. Many online classifieds offer feedback tools. Review the comments and ratings from other users and insist on speaking with the seller on the phone to get a better understanding of the person on the other end of the deal.
  • Vehicle visit. Avoid buying a vehicle sight unseen. Visit the seller and the vehicle, or ask a friend or relative to check out the vehicle if it's located in another area. Inspect the car's condition and obtain the vehicle identification number so you may review the title and investigate the car's history.
  • Mechanic's inspection. If the visit shows the car to be promising, insist on a professional mechanic's inspection. And if the seller balks, you walk.
  • Pay in person. Never send money through a wire service to pay for your vehicle, and be careful paying with cash. Your best bet is to visit your credit union to obtain a cashier's check or to use a personal check to make your purchase. Pay for your vehicle in person and be sure to get a receipt and transfer of title.
File a complaint with the Federal Bureau of Investigation via the Internet Crime Complaint Center if you suspect you've been the victim of a scam when buying a car online. And for more used-car buying guidance, talk to the people at your credit union.


CURRENT SCAM -  September 28, 2011


Yet Another Identity Theft Scam

The woman on the other end of the line identifies herself as a police officer. A camera caught you running a red light and you owe an overdue fine. You're facing a hefty late fee, a court date, and possibly jail time. You choose to pay the bill over the phone. Congratulations! You've just been scammed out of your debit card  or account number.

Scammers count on the element of surprise and that you will cooperate with law enforcement authorities.

Fact: The police and most other authorities will not use the phone to obtain your personal information or to collect overdue fines or tickets. They use the U.S. Postal Service or even a personal visit by a law enforcement officer.

Children's Social Security numbers offer identity thieves a clean slate on which they can commit fraud for years without detection.

Organized crime is a major player in child identity theft. An undocumented immigrant or even a family member could be using your child's Social Security number to start a new life, secure credit, get a mortgage, or pay bills. The Federal Trade Commission reports that, in 2010, about 8% of identity theft complaints came from victims age 19 and younger.

Your adult children might discover the problem only when they apply for a credit card or a mortgage loan--and are denied. The damage from identity theft can take a long time and a lot of dollars to repair.

Reduce your chances of becoming a surprise victim of identity theft by following this advice from the Consumer Federation of America:

  • Don't carry your child's Social Security card. Lost Social Security cards are the most common source of information for identity thieves.
  • Ask before you tell. When asked for your child's personal information, find out how it will be stored or, if not stored, how it will be destroyed or returned.
  • Use a cross-cut paper shredder. Before you dispose of documents with your child's personal information, shred it using a cross-cut paper shredder.
  • Don't post, and remove any existing online photos of your children. Identity thieves can use the geocoding features embedded within digital images to find information that helps them steal children's identities.
  • Don't tell your children their Social Security numbers. Wait until they understand how and why to protect themselves from identity theft.


CURRENT DEBIT CARD SCAM -  September 15, 2011

Credit Union members and non-members have reported receiving phone calls from an automated service stating that their accounts have been breached due to debit card activity. This is a scam! They may request personal information such as your card number and PIN, your name, date of birth, Social Security number and Account number. They will tell you that they need this information in order to unblock your account. 
THESE CALLS ARE A SCAM AND ARE NOT FROM THE CREDIT UNION.

If you receive one of these calls, JUST HANG UP. DO NOT provide any information. If you have already provided information, please contact us IMMEDIATELY so we can protect your account.
If you provided debit card information and we are closed, please call 1-800-472-3272 and ask to have your debit card blocked as "Stolen."
If you provided credit card information, please call 1-800-991-4961 and ask to have your credit card blocked as "Stolen."
If you did not enter your card number, there is no need for concern.




SONY PlayStation NETWORK INTRUSION

Attention members: Sony has experienced a Network Security Breach. This breach was in the company's PlayStation Network that compromised the personal data of some 77 million accounts on the online service.

If you have used your debit or credit card online at Sony, please contact us so that we may replace your card.

The information that was compromised included names, birth dates, email addresses and login information. They have requested that users should change their passwords. As a precaution, we would like to change your card information as well. Please contact us in Card Services should you have any questions.



MICHAEL'S STORES BREACH

There has been a merchant breach at "Michael's Stores." This breach was due to an altered checkout line terminal with skimmer devices. Michael's identified 90 key pads that were tampered with in the states of New Hampshire, Massachusetts, Rhode Island, New Jersey, New York, Pennsylvania, Delaware, Maryland, Virginia, North Carolina, Georgia, Ohio, Illinois, Iowa, New Mexico, Nevada, Colorado, Oregon, Utah, and Washington.

The information stolen was Card Number, Expiration Date, and Pin Number. If you have used your card at Michael's in one of the states listed, please notify us in Card Services so we may change your card to protect your account. If you did not use your card in one of these states and still want your card replaced, please let us know. We will be happy to replace it.



SECURITY BREACH TARGETED MAINE PARK USERS

The Maine Department of Conservation says a security breach may have exposed credit card information of people who bought park passes through an online vendor.

The company that handles online purchases of state park passes, reports that a malware attack potentially exposed credit cards used in transactions from March 21 to December 22, 2010. Notices have been sent to 970 credit card holders from Maine.

There are no reports of fraudulent charges and no state systems have been compromised. The company that ran the system was InfoSpherix, part of a San Diego-based Active Network. The online pass system is being rebuilt with a new vendor.



FRAUD ALERT in MAINE

Maine Attorney General William J.  Schneider warns about an increasingly
common scam:  the telephone call from a grandchild needing emergency money.

The Consumer Protection Division recently took a call from a Maine grandfather who said he had been contacted by someone claiming to be his grandson.  The caller said he was in jail in Canada and had been in an accident.  When the grandfather commented that "you don't sound like Buddy", the caller replied that he had broken his nose in the accident.  The grandfather agreed to wire $2,800 by Western Union to an address in Spain.  Fortunately, an employee at the local Western Union  office questioned and warned the grandfather about this transfer. The grandfather quickly confirmed that his grandson was fine.

The grandfather stated that he and his wife recently celebrated their 60th wedding anniversary, mentioning their grandson's name in a newspaper  announcement.  It was clear that the scammers used this information when contacting the consumer.  Please be aware of the increasing regularity of this scam throughout Maine.



CREDIT CARD SCAM

PeoplesChoice CU would like to make other credit unions aware of a credit card scam that is being conducted by a company called Peopleschoice Saving (www.peopleschoicesaving.com). The company is calling consumers telling them that they can have a credit card with a $2,000 limit with no credit check required. However, they are looking for financial account information to process it. The phone number attached to the scam is a mobile phone number and the website has no way to log-in available. Often these scams start with one financial institution in a state and spread to other financial institutions. The credit union believes there is a likelihood that members of other credit unions will, or have been, contacted with this scam. The Maine Attorney General's Office has been notified.



Fraudulent Email Claiming to be from NACHA

NACHA  The Electronic Payments Association has received reports that individuals and/or companies have received a fraudulent e-mail that has the appearance of having been sent from NACHA. See sample below.

The subject line of the e-mail states: Unauthorized ACH Transaction. The e-mail includes a link that redirects the individual to a fake Web page and contains a link which is almost certainly an executable virus with malware.

Do not click on the link. Both the e-mail and the related website are
fraudulent.

Be aware that phishing e-mails frequently have links to Web pages that host malicious code and software. Do not follow Web links in unsolicited e-mails from unknown parties or from parties with whom you do not normally communicate, or that appear to be known but are suspicious or otherwise unusual.

NACHA itself does not process nor touch the ACH transactions that flow to and from organizations and financial institutions. NACHA does not send communications to individuals or organizations about individual ACH transactions that they originate or receive.

If malicious code is detected or suspected on a computer, consult with a computer security or anti-virus specialist to remove malicious code or re-install a clean image of the computer system. Always use anti-virus software and ensure that the virus signatures are automatically updated.

Ensure that the computer operating systems and common software applications security patches are installed and current.

Be alert for different variations of fraudulent e-mails.

= = = = = Sample E-mail = = = = = =
From: Information
Sent: Thursday, July 22, 2010 8:27 AM
To: Doe, John
Subject: Unauthorized ACH Transaction

Dear bank account holder,
The ACH transaction, recently initiated from your bank account, was rejected
by the Electronic Payments Association. Please review the transaction report

by clicking the link below:


Unauthorized ACH Transaction Report
DO NOT CLICK ON THE LINK!

Contact NEACH with any questions at 781-321-1011.
Phone Solicitation Alert!
It has come to our attention that potential fraudsters may be making phone calls to area consumers posing as Central Maine CU employees asking for verbal verification of personal information.