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Fraud Alerts
Unsolicited Text Messages to Cell Phones - 04/11/2008
Phishers Use Fake Caller ID Numbers - 10/01/2007
Lottery/Sweepstakes Scam Alert - 08/16/2007
Latest "Nigerian Scam" Alert - 05/01/2007
Harford County Fire Departments Warn of Phone Scam - 4/30/2007
On-Base Credit Unions Fraudulent Phishing Emails - 4/12/2007
NCUA Fraudulent Phishing Emails - 4/11/2007

General Contact Us if you would like to report a fraudulent email or inquire about an email that you received


(April 11, 2008)

Unsolicited Text Messages to Cell Phones

Members should be aware of a new scam that involves unsolicited test messages sent to cell phones. These messages urge the recipient to call a number provided for information about discrepancies and then solicits individual account information and pin numbers. Such a scam could be used to obtain personally identifiable information and credit union account access information for those who access their accounts using their cell phones.

Cell phone users should be weary 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 in conjunction with their text message solicitation.

How to Protect Yourself:

  • Do not assume that the information displayed on your cell phone is accurate. It can easily be spoofed.
  • Never give out personal or financial information via text messaging.
  • Never give out personal or financial information over the telephone unless you know EXACTLY whom you're dealing with.
  • If you have doubts about who's on the phone, disconnect the call and call back a well advertised number of the financial institution or credit card company.
  • Never give your ATM card PIN number out- there is NEVER a reason the caller/ texter needs it.



(October 1, 2007)

Phishers Use Fake Caller ID Numbers

In a new phishing scam, con artists are using phony caller ID numbers to solicit personal information and money. Thanks to the phony caller IDs, the "spoofers" are able to convince victims that they're receiving a call from a bank, credit union or credit card company.  The scammers use this technique to acquire sensitive personal and financial information, or even money, from their victims.

The frightening aspect of this scam is that few people would ever think that the names and phone numbers appearing on their caller ID screens were not genuine. However, scammers are already using phony caller IDs and are posing as representatives of banks, credit card companies and government agencies. Unfortunately, anyone with Internet access and a few dollars can find a number of legal online services that supply fake caller ID numbers.

How to Protect Yourself:

  • Do not assume that the information displayed on your caller ID is accurate. It can easily be spoofed.
  • Never give out personal or financial information over the telephone unless you know EXACTLY whom you're dealing with.
  • If you have doubts about who's on the phone, disconnect the call and call back a well advertised number of the financial institution or credit card company.
  • Never give your ATM card PIN number out- there is NEVER a reason the caller needs it.

If you feel you may have been a victim of this scam, contact the Federal Trade Commission at www.ftc.gov to file a complaint.




(August 16, 2007)

Lottery/Sweepstakes Scam Alert

Letters are being sent to consumers nationwide, claiming that they have won a certain amount of money from a lottery or sweepstakes outside of the United States.  Included with the letter is a check made out for a small portion of the amount won. The victim is instructed to deposit the check, and then wire a smaller       amount of cash to the perpetrator to cover the processing, surcharges, and/or taxes. This is where the scam artists make their money. They take the cash the victim wired then disappear. By this time the victim's financial institution realizes the check is counterfeit, and, in addition to what they sent the perpetrator, the       consumer usually has spent a good amount of the money they deposited and are unable to pay the bank back.

The best way to protect yourself is to avoid this scam altogether- remember receiving winnings from a lottery or sweepstakes outside of the United States you never entered is not only unlikely, it's illegal! So shred any such letters and do not respond. If it looks too good to be true, it is! Currently, there is almost nothing police can do about the crime - but any information can be reported to the Office of the Inspector General at www.usps.com as it is considered a type of mail fraud.

(May 1, 2007)

Internet Scam Alert - Meet the Latest Version of the "Nigerian Scam"

Recently there have been indications of a new, very persuasive, Internet scam. It's a variation on an older scam called the "Nigerian scam", mainly because so many of its early solicitors claimed to be from Nigeria. In the original Nigerian scam, the victim would be offered large sums of money to be deposited into their bank account, in exchange for a small fee, in an arrangement that would allegedly benefit both parties.

The newest version targets individuals selling goods on the Internet, more specifically, cars. Here's how it works:

  • Vehicle/goods advertised on the Internet
  • "Buyer" contacts seller to buy vehicle/goods
  • Check is sent to seller for larger amount than the asking price, supposedly to include shipping charges
  • Seller deposits check in bank account
  • Several days later, the "buyer" emails the seller, cancelling the sale and requesting a refund
  • Seller verifies check has cleared and is told it has
  • Seller sends "buyer" refund
  • Seller later discovers that the check has bounced

The scam works because banks typically tell customers that checks clear in 3 days, when in reality, federal regulations require them to make the funds available in 3 days, even if it takes longer for the check to actually clear. Bank customers are legally liable to the bank for making the check good in these scam cases. When inquiring as to whether or not a check has cleared, a better question would be, "Have the funds actually been transferred from the source into my account?".

Best way to avoid this scam altogether: If a deal sounds suspicious or too good to be true, don't go through with it. Currently, there is almost nothing police can do about the crime - but make it known to the public.


(April 30, 2007)

Harford County Fire Departments Warn of Phone Scam

Harford County, MD residents should be on the alert for a potential phone scam. The caller is alleging he/she is soliciting donations on behalf of local volunteer fire departments. In some cases the caller is identifying himself as "Fireman Joe". No Harford fire stations solicit by phone, and only legitimate requests are made by mail and have detailed contact information attached.

Anyone who receives such a call should not give out personal information and call 410-638-4700 immediately.


(April 12, 2007)

On-Base Credit Unions Fraudulent Phishing Emails

Please be on the alert for a potential phishing email scam. The email appears to be from an on-base credit union. The email offers $50 to fill out a survey, which is a link in the email. Of course, the link is to a false website that requests the member's credit union account number and PIN, along with other personal information, which is a ploy to gather information that possibly could be used for identity theft or fraudulent transactions.

THIS EMAIL IS FALSE. Recipients are warned that we would never send an email asking members for such personal information. Anyone who receives an e-mail that purports to be from APGFCU 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 click on the links in the message, and the message should be deleted.

For more information about email phishing click here.


(April 11, 2007)

NCUA Fraudulent Phishing Emails

Please be on the alert for a potential phishing email scam. The email appears to be from NCUA (National Credit Union Administration). The email claims that because of a recent phishing attack and identity theft, NCUA is performing maintenance on its security measures. It then asks the recipient to "verify" their account information to eliminate any potential risk through a link provided that appears to be on the NCUA secure website, or via a form that is attached and requested to be filled out and mailed in. Of course, both are a ploy to gather information that possibly could be used for identity theft or fraudulent transactions.

THIS EMAIL IS FALSE. NCUA warns recipients that it would never send an email asking credit unions members for such personal information. Anyone who receives an e-mail 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 click on the links in the message, and the message should be deleted.

For more information about email phishing click here.



For more information about identity theft:
FTC - Identity Theft Site
FTC - Computers & the Internet
OnGuard Online - Your Safety Net
FDIC - Don't Be an Online Victim
US Postal Inspection Service
Disaster Recovery Financial Guide
Building Strong Families for a Stronger Community

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