Alert Bulletin
Phishers are capturing personal data via phone. Click here for information on your best defense.

Phishing

Hundreds of consumers are finding themselves victims of a high-tech scam known as "phishing". It involves fraudsters who hide behind the anonymity of the Internet and pretend to be a legitimate financial institution. The fraudsters send out official looking emails designed to trick consumers into divulging financial and personal information.These email contain links to a fake web site that has been setup to mimic the legitimate online site. The majority of the time the consumers is asked to update their account information through this fake web site.

KSCFCU does send email to those members that are signed up for E-Statements to remind them that they can login to our secured web site and check their statement electronically. We will never send you an email that requests that you go to our web site and update your personal information. If you ever receive such an email, please notifiy us at webmaster@kscfcu.org, and contact Federal Trade Commission at spam@uce.gov.

Vishing

Please be aware of "Vishing". This is when the crook claims to be with a legitimate financial institution or other entities. They ask consumers to "verify" or "re-submit" personal information, such as account and credit card numbers, social security numbers, passwords, and personal identification numbers. Consumers should be "highly suspicious" when receiving messages via telephone, email, or otherwise directing them to call and provide personal, confidential, and/or account related information.

Pay Attention to Gift Card Details

WASHINGTON -- Consumers should be more careful about the gift cards they buy this year, according to the federal regulator that is charged with supervising national banks.

The Office of the Comptroller of the Currency has formally warned consumers to pay close attention to the fine print on the gift cards they might buy this year. The announcement reminded consumers that gift cards can have expiration dates, fees and other terms that can reduce their value. Other terms may limit where cards can be used or explain handling complaints and lost or stolen cards.

The agency also reported that consumers lost $8 billion in 2006 on gift cards they had received or purchased and repeated the National Retail Federation's estimate that 88% of consumers will buy two or more gift cards this year.

The agency also reminded consumers that it requires national banks that issue gift cards to clearly disclose the cards terms and fees.
(Credit Union Times, December 5, 2007)

Identity Theft

Identity Theft occurs when someone confiscates your personal information, such as your credit union account number or social security number and, posing as you, utilizes the funds in your account.

A periodic check of your credit report is always a good idea. The recommendation is generally once per year. Erroneous information on your credit report can prevent you from obtaining loans, applying for a job or benefiting from affordable insurance. Although checking your credit report on a regular basis is wise, prevention is always best.

Kennedy Space Center Federal Credit Union takes Identity Theft very seriously. We're providing this information to help identify ways you can prevent yourself from being a victim.

• Do not give out personal information. You should never provide your credit card number to anyone unless you have initiated the contact. The best rule of thumb is to remember if they're legitimate, they should already have that information.
• Report lost or stolen checks immediately. Always examine your new checks to make sure none are missing and store them in a safe place in your home.
• Destroy financial solicitations. If you receive solicitations by mail, tear or shred them before throwing them away. Also, tear or shred other financial papers such as receipts or statements.
• Guard your ATM number and receipts. Never throw receipts in the trash. Tear or shred them once you're home. Never keep your PIN number with your wallet or purse. It's best to memorize it if possible.
• Secure your mailbox. Promptly remove mail when it's delivered. If you're going out of town, always contact the Post Office and have your mail temporarily stopped.

As mentioned earlier, contact the major credit reporting companies at least annually.

If you are a victim of identity theft you should contact the credit bureau and work with them to straighten out the facts, close fraudulent accounts that were established, and file a police report.

The Federal Trade Commission (FTC) is becoming more involved in helping individuals clean-up the mess caused by identity theft as well as prevention and enforcement. Some good FTC sources are the special identity theft web site at www.consumer.gov/idtheft, and the hotline phone number at 877-ID THEFT (877-438-4338).

Link to additional websites

Explore Fakecheck.org If you're looking for Check Fraud Detection, Fraud Investigation, Spam Scams or anything similar, go ahead and browse this comprehensive resource directory.

Get your annual FREE Credit Report. Then contact a professional at BALANCE or call toll free at 1-888-456-2227 to review your credit report for FREE!