NEW Fraud Alert Details:
A recent example of fraudster ingenuity is the use of Voice over Internet Protocol (VoIP) phones to steal member's financial information. This scam is called "vishing" -- short for "voice phishing."

There are at least two "Vishing" methodologies scammers use.

Online version

The scammer sends a blast e-mail, disguised to appear as though it’s from your credit union, bank, online payment service or other well-known business. The e-mail, which may have a trusted logo, typically reports a "security" problem with the recipient’s account and urges the member/member to call a telephone number to "straighten things out."

Although many members know better than to click on hyperlinks in strange e-mails for fear of being "phished," they often feel safe calling a telephone number that appears to be local or toll-free. When the member calls, they reach an automated attendant prompting them to enter their account number, password or other private information for "security verification" purposes.

Cold Call

Some "vishers" use automated dialing programs to "cold call" members. The members caller ID device may list a legitimate-looking local phone number, to inspire trust from the recipient. A prerecorded message (or sometimes a live "employee") claims the member’s account has been compromised or needs updating or verification. The member is asked to enter their account information, which is digitally transcribed onto the hard drive of the scammer’s computer.

Loss Prevention Recommendations: www.onguardonline.gov.
  • Consumers can take interactive quizzes designed to enlighten them about identity theft, phishing, spam and online-shopping scams.
  • Elsewhere on the site, consumers can find detailed guidance on how to monitor their credit histories, use effective passwords and recover from identity theft.
IMPORTANT REMINDER
Texasgulf FCU will never ask for any personal information via email or over the phone. If you receive an email or phone call claiming to be from NCUA (National Credit Union Administration), CUNA (Credit Union National Association), TCUL (Texas Credit Union League) or any other entity about your account at Texasgulf FCU that you're unsure of, please contact us immediately. Never, under any circumstances, should you give out any of your personal or account information to anyone.
Don't Be The Victim Of A SCAM
You’re A Winner! Scam
In a scam they've dubbed "You're A Winner!" victims are notified via mail, telephone or e-mail that they have won some type of sweepstakes, lottery or casino winnings. The victim is told that they must pay the taxes in advance to receive their money. They are instructed to wire the amount or provide their bank account number to have the amount withdrawn. The suspects take the money for the "taxes" and the victims never receive the winnings they were promised.

Inheritance Scam
The victim is notified that a long lost relative has died leaving them part of the inheritance. In order to receive the inheritance the victim is asked to pay the taxes in advance or are asked to give up bank account numbers. The victim loses the money they paid in advance and never receives the promised inheritance.

Fraudulent Checks
Suspects build a relationship with the victim through the mail, telephone or e-mail. The suspect convinces the victim to cash a check for them giving various excuses as to why they can't cash it themselves. The suspect tells the victim they can keep a certain percentage of the check for their trouble. The victim receives the check in the mail, cashes it keeping their percentage and wires the remainder of the money to the suspect. After a few days the credit union discovers the check was fraudulent. The victim is left with the responsibility of paying back the bank.

TIPS TO AVOID BEING A VICTIM
  • You should never have to pay money to receive winnings.
  • Never give your bank account number or other personal information to anyone over the phone or Internet.
  • Do not wire or transfer money to anyone unless you have initiated the transaction.
  • If you receive information that you have won a contest you don't remember entering or are receiving money from a relative you don't know, contact other family members, a lawyer or the police department to verify its legitimacy.
  • Ask us to verify checks you were not expecting or for large amounts from anyone before cashing them.
Fraud Alert
RELEASE DATE: 12/16/2005
FROM: CO-OP NETWORK
MESSAGE: "If you or your members receive an email that purports to be from CO-OP Network asking for cardholder information, please note that the email is fraudulent as CO-OP Network never contacts credit union members directly and never requests personal account information. The email should be considered a deceitful attempt to obtain cardholder information with the intent of committing fraudulent activity against your member's accounts.

Please consider alerting your members of this fraudulent attempt. If confidential information has been provided please take the appropriate necessary steps to prevent fraud. We have notified the proper law enforcement authorities and are working with the internet service provider to shut down the fraudulent site." END OF RELEASE

If you receive this email, DELETE IT! If you have released your information to this fraudulent email, notify Texasgulf Federal Credit Union IMMEDIATELY @ 979-282-2300 or 1-800-647-8428.

INTERNET / EMAIL FRAUD ALERT

Recently, there have been multiple email fraud attempts, known as "Phishing, that were initiated via email sent to both the general public and to some credit union members that appeared to be from NCUA. This false email asked for the recipient to click on a link to verify their credit union account registration. If the recipient proceeded to do so, the link directed them to a false website and asked for their credit union account number and PIN, along with other personal information.

NCUA does not ask credit unions members for such personal information. Anyone who receives an email that purports to be from NCUA and asks for account information should consider it to be a fraudulent attempt to obtain their personal account data for an illegal purpose and should not follow the instructions in the email.

If you responded to such an email and provided any confidential account information, please notify your credit union immediately of the scheme. You should also change your accounts PIN, and take any additional action recommended by your credit union to protect your account.

For more information, including how to file a report of this crime, go to http://www.cybercrime.gov.
You may also contact the NCUA Fraud Hotline at 1-800-827-9650.

Fraud Alert

There is currently a fraudulent email circulating that appears to be from the Credit Union National Association (CUNA) asking for personal account information.  Please delete this email, as it is fraudulent and a phishing scam.  Contact your credit union if you have additional questions.  CUNA will never solicit e-mails requesting your credit union username, password, pin number, or other personal identity information.