Clearview Federal Credit Union - Resources - Identity Theft Center

Types of Threats

"Phishing"

With "phishing" (pronounced fishing), online scammers pose as legitimate companies to dupe consumers into sharing confidential financial information such as credit union account numbers, credit card numbers, billing/routing numbers and Social Security numbers.

The "hook"

Here is how the scam works: The phishing email informs recipients that their bank/credit union accounts are at risk unless they provide updated personal information. The fraudulent message then directs recipients to click on a link embedded in the email. When victims connect to the linked site - which looks legitimate - they transmit sensitive information without the knowledge that they are connected to a phony site set up to steal their identities.

How to avoid being "phished"

With identity theft on the rise and identity thieves becoming increasingly devious at tricking consumers out of their sensitive financial information, there are still ways to avoid being hooked. Do not click on links within emails and do not reply to messages requiring you to share personal information. Instead, open a new browser window and type in a Web address you know to be genuine to reach the company. Better yet, take the time to research the phone number and call the company directly to let them know about the scam. Keep in mind that many Web browsers will display a closed padlock symbol at the bottom to verify that you are using a secured site. You can always rest assured that Clearview Federal Credit Union will not initiate a request via email for sensitive information, including your Social Security number, your security ID, your password, PIN or account number. When you are using any of the Credit Union's online products, you are protected by state-of-the-art encryption technology that keeps your account transactions safe.

If you're a victim

If you have replied to any "phishing" email, it is important to report it right away. Call Clearview FCU at 1-800-926-0003 long distance or (412) 269-3011 in Pittsburgh so the appropriate action can be taken. If you have received these types of emails but have not yet responded, report them to your Internet service provider or forward the actual message to the Federal Trade Commission at spam@uce.gov.

"Vishing"

You should be aware of an identity theft scam called "Vishing." This form of identity theft is being used by criminals through the use of a telephone.

Vishing mimics phishing by trying to trap you into divulging your account numbers. But instead of being phished in an email message, you may receive a telephone call from an automated random dialer, and the voice on the other end of the line may tell you your credit card has been used illegally. You're then asked to dial a fake 1-800 number with another voice that asks you to confirm your account details and credit card number. If you give the information, you face the risk of your accounts being drained.

All this is possible because of Voice over Internet Protocol (VoIP), the technology that makes possible inexpensive and anonymous Internet calling. And industry analysts are concerned that it's becoming more difficult to tell phish and vish from actual attempts to contact customers.

Take Steps to avoid being vished:

If you get a phone call and someone asks you to give or confirm credit card or personal information, hang up. Then call your credit union or the financial institution that issued the card by using the phone number on the back of the card or on your statement and report the attempt. If the call was legitimate, the provider will know it.
If you get a call from someone who claims to be from a financial institution you do business with, and who knows your credit card account number but wants the three-digit code on the back of the card, immediately hang up.
If you get an email message asking you to call a toll-free number to verify account information, delete the email. Never provide personal information or account information based on an email request.
Don't be fooled by the fact that the caller's phone number appears to be a regional telephone number. It could have been spoofed, which is easy to do using VoIP.
Be suspicious of any phone or email contact that doesn't use your first name or surname.
Never dial a call return number or reply to an email regarding any financial matter.

If you're a victim

If you have replied to any "vishing" phone calls, it is important to report it right away. Call Clearview at 1-800-926-0003 long distance or (412) 269-3011 in Pittsburgh so the appropriate action can be taken.

Mystery Shoppers

There are legitimate job postings online to hire Mystery Shoppers, but there are far more that are actually scams. Anyone claiming to be hiring Mystery Shoppers that ask you to wire funds via Western Union or Money Gram in return for a cashier’s or official check, money orders or some form of “guaranteed funds check” should raise a red flag. Be suspicious of envelopes with no return address, foreign stamps or addresses that do not appear to make sense. Watch for Mystery Shoppers job postings that ask you to immediately call a phone number, where you are then asked to provide a transaction number from a Western Union or Money Gram transaction. If you are asked to keep the transaction “confidential,” that would be another red flag. Remember, just because a hold on a check is released, or the teller provides funds for the check, that does not mean that it is a legitimate check. You are responsible for any check you negotiate, so beware of Mystery Shopper or any other “easy money” schemes, as they are likely a scam.

Lottery Scams

Be suspicious of any letters that state that you were entered in a lottery of which you are unaware. Also, beware if you are sent a check and are instructed to send money back by way of Western Union, Money Gram or any other method of transferring funds. Especially beware of letters with foreign stamps or no return addresses. You should never send money back to someone that sends you money. It normally takes 10 to 15 days for a counterfeit check to be returned, but it could take up to three years.

Craigslist & eBay Sales

Just as the warning on Craigslist states, you must be careful accepting checks from your sales. Be careful if someone sends a check for a higher amount than your asking price. Scammers will then ask you to keep part of the funds from the check and transfer the remaining funds to them. Do not send them any funds. Also, do not agree to send money to a shipper to pick up the item. You may want to think, “why would someone want to send funds twice what the product is worth to get it shipped to them.” If any part of a transaction does not make sense, it should raise a red flag.