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Criminals Get Smarter to Outsmart You
Phishing Fraud
A phishing email appears as if it's from a familiar source, such as a merchant
or financial institution. The email asks consumers to verify their personal information
or to click the embedded link that takes the reader to a phony Web site where personal
information is gathered.
UW Credit Union has seen a number of phishing emails. The logo appears identical
to the one on our Web site, and the message is somewhat convincing. "Complete this
online survey and we'll deposit $50 into your account. Just give us your credit
card number..." or "Please update your VerifyU questions to continue
receiving access. Just click this link..."
Remember, we would never ask you in an email for personal
information or to click a link to update security information.
Vishing Fraud
This sound-alike scam takes advantage of Voiceover Internet Protocol (VoIP)—phones
that use Internet connections rather than regular phone lines to provide service.
(Vonage, for example, is a VoIP provider.) This makes it difficult to track down
the criminals. Victims are contacted by email or phone and then asked to call another
number.When placing that call, they hear an automated message that instructs them
to enter their credit card number to verify their identity, just like many legitimate
phone services use.
Protect Yourself
In the end, it doesn't matter how convincing the email appears, or how friendly
the caller is. Never respond to unsolicited emails or calls.
If you get a phishing email or vishing phone call purporting to be from UW Credit
Union, please call us or email
abuse@uwcu.org.
Learn more about online security
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