University of Michigan Credit Union

Security Tip
Never reply to an e-mail asking you for account information of any kind, including credit and debit card information. If you are unsure of the legitimacy of the contact, please call UMCU at
734-662-8200 and talk with a Member Service Representative for verification.

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Phishing

Phishing is an online scam that seeks to steal personal information, credit card numbers, passwords, Social Security numbers, and other sensitive data by luring victims in by using a fake
e-mail address, website, and pop-up to impersonate your financial institution and con members into disclosing personal data.

Examples of "Phishing Scams":

E-Mail Scams Mimic Government Stimulus Package

Con artists posing as representatives of the Internal Revenue Service are sending spam emails promising government economic stimulus packages. The message tells the user to download an attachment that is masked as a form they must fill out and send to the IRS to receive their stimulus check. However, the document really is an identity theft tool that is designed to steal the personal information entered in the form.

Another scam being used promises more information on how to get economic stimulus grants. They tempt users with fake testimonials such as, "I found the grant I needed and filled out the forms and sent them in. In two weeks I received a check in my hand for $100,000." It leads to a marketing-type site in which you enter personal information such as salary range, email address, mailing address, and date of birth purportedly to get a free CD that shows you how to claim one of these grants. To order the CD, you must enter credit card information for the postage and handling costs. You never get the CD, only a stolen identity.

Visa Debit Scam

Credit union members are receiving a bogus e-mail from the address debit@visa.com requiring the member to call an 800 phone number to update the information on their Visa debit card account or the account will be deleted from the data base. The subject of the e-mail is "Urgent Notification" and the sender claims that fraud attempts have occurred resulting in a temporary suspension of the account and so the member must call. This is a "Phishing" email from a thief trying to acquire members' personal financial information.

Co-op Services Credit Union Scam

Members reported receiving a suspicious email from "CO-OP Services Credit Union." There are two versions of this fraudulent email. The first one begins: "You have received this email because we have strong reason to believe that your CO-OP Services Credit Union account had been recently compromised." The other fraudulent email begins: "CO-OP Services Credit Union temporarily suspended your account. Reason: Billing failure. We require you to complete an account update so we can unlock your account." These emails are part of a scam to falsely obtain your account information. Do not respond.

CUNA E-Mail Scam

Some members are receiving the following e-mail which impersonates being from the Credit Union National Association (CUNA). Here's a sample of the e-mail:

In the best interest of all Credit Union customers, we've been screening the accounts in our system. We recently reviewed your account, and we need more information to help us provide you with secure service. Until we can collect this information, your access to sensitive account features will be limited. We would like to restore your access as soon as possible, and we apologize for the inconvenience.

Why is my account access limited?

Your account access has been limited for the following reason(s):

*We would like to ensure that your account was not accessed by an unauthorized third party. Because protecting the security of your account is our primary concern, we have limited access to sensitive Credit Union account features. We understand that this may be an inconvenience but please understand that this temporary limitation is for your protection.

(Your case ID for this reason is PCU1-818-214-242146.)

At the Credit Union, one of our most important responsibilities to you, our customer, is the safekeeping of the nonpublic personal ("confidential") information you have entrusted to us and using this information in a responsible manner. Appropriate use of the confidential information you provide us is also at the heart of our ability to provide you with exceptional personal service whenever you contact us.

How can I restore my account access?

Please confirm your identity here: Restore My Online Banking and complete the "Steps to Remove Limitations."

Completing all of the checklist items will automatically restore your account access.

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Counterfeit Check Scam

Counterfeit Check Scam involves the victim being sent a fake check or bank draft for goods or services.

Examples of "Counterfeit Check Scams":

Internet Ad Scam

Be cautious posting ads or selling items on the Internet. A recent scam involves a con artist appearing interested in the item you have posted for sale in a local newspaper or online. The con artist agrees to your price and gives you a check that may say "Cashier's Check" or "Official Check" on it. When the check is deposited at the Credit Union, you are then informed the check is counterfeit.

A similar scam involves the seller receiving a check for more than the agreed upon purchase price. The purchaser then request the overpayment be sent back via wire transfer. After the wire is sent, the check is deemed counterfeit and the seller is out the money and the merchandise.

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Advanced Fee Fraud

Advanced Fee Fraud is a common scam where the con artist persuades the victim into sending advance sums of money with the anticipation of receiving a bigger financial gain. Contact is often made via e-mail or letter and the sender is typically from a foreign country.

Examples of "Advanced Fee Fraud"

Nigerian Scam

This common scam involves emails received from various countries including Nigeria, South Africa, and other European countries. Typically the con artist impersonates a high ranking government official or a bank employee, who has a large amount of money they need to get into or out of the country.

The con artist offers to give the victim a large portion of the money if they will set up a legitimate bank account that will be used to transfer millions of dollars. Documents are also sent to the victim with "important looking" seals and stamps. Eventually, the victim is scammed out of money by being asked to provide up front or advanced fees to cover attorney fees, taxes, etc.

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