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Alert - E-mail Scams and other Fraud attempts

4/25/2008
The local Yakima press reported that Yakima area residents are receiving fraudulent emails asking for online banking information.

4/22/2008
The NCUA recently warned of a scam that involves unsolicited text messages sent to cell phones. The message urges the recipient to call a number provided for information about account discrepancies and then solicits individual account information and pin numbers.

Cell phone users should be wary of unsolicited text messages. Such messages should be deleted and all deleted text messages should be removed, if possible, as the perpetrators have been known to use "spyware" installed on smart-phones in conjunction with their text message solicitation.

4/17/2008
Consumers have reported receiving subpoenas and jury summons via email. These are fraudulent as the legal system only uses the United States Postal Service for that type of communication.

1/17/2008
Be aware that "Caller ID" can be faked. Even though a call appears to be from your financial institution, be suspicious. As a general rule, do not give account information to people who call you. Instead, call the credit union yourself to begin the conversation. HAPO's number is 509-943-5676.

1/15/2008
Members have been reporting phone calls that pretend to be from "your" credit union. Some members have reported that a credit union name was mentioned but mumbled so they couldn't understand it. The calls are prerecorded and imply that they've been trying to reach you about a transfer or about your credit being cut off or ... They leave a number to call with your account information. Do not return the calls to the number given. We at HAPO rarely call members and we never ask for account information when we've called you. You can always reach HAPO by calling our main line at 509-943-5676.

8/21/2007
One type of email spam that keeps reappearing is the one where you receive an email from what appears to be your credit union or bank and it tells you that your account is blocked. Then it offers to unblock it if you click on a link and answer some questions. This type of fraud works because so many financial institutions have recently changed their login procedures to comply with changing federal regulations. Consumers are uncertain if this is just another change. HAPO will never send send you an email with a link to click. The problem with links in emails is that the words that you see may not be the same as the link that is programmed in the email. The programmed link may take you to a fraudulent site that just looks like the real one. You should always be suspicious of links in emails. Instead, type the address that you know is correct into your browser.

1/25/2007
Visa recently learned of a fraudulent email sent to cardholders who participate in Verified by Visa. The email claimed to have come from Visa and stated that the cardholder was automatically enrolled in Verified by Visa. The email also stated that the cardholder's Visa card may be temporarily disabled if they failed to update their Visa card.

This email was a phishing scam and did not come from Visa. Phishing is a form of fraud that attempts to trick the cardholder into revealing personal information, such as their credit or debit account numbers, checking account information, social security numbers, or banking account passwords through fake websites or in a reply email.

Visa will never ask cardholders to divulge account information or password via email. Should you receive any questionable emails, please ask do not reply to the email or contact the website referenced in the email. Cardholders can report the email to Visa by sending an email to phishing@visa.com.

10/30/2006
The bad guys are getting trickier. Here are some examples of tricks used recently against the members of a Florida credit union. Scammers have been sending out fake e-mails, trying to trick people into disclosing their personal data. Like most modern e-mail frauds, the messages look very authentic, using the credit union's logo and other images and official-sounding financial language.

• Ironically, one scam e-mail warns customers that XYZ Credit Union has discovered someone trying to hack into their online bank account. It urges customers to click on a Web link in the e-mail and follow directions to "re-validate" their account info.
• Another fake message alleges that someone has spent more than $2,000 using the customer's XYZ debit card and instructs the customer to click on a Web link to clear up the matter and protect the rest of the account.
• Yet another one tells people they need to "re-enroll" in XYZ's online-banking system because the credit union has new security software.

Each time, a cleverly constructed "spoof" Website asks for account numbers and other information that the scammers can use to clean out the customer's real account, make unauthorized purchases, or set up fraudulent accounts using the customer's name.

7/11/2006
The NCUA (National Credit Union Administration) has announced that many credit union members around the United States have received emails that appear to be from the NCUA. The NCUA does not send out emails to individual members asking for account information. For more information see: NCUA Phishing

If you have responded to a fraudulent email and entered your personal information, please contact our staff at 509-943-5676 or 1-800-284-4276.