Tips To Avoid Falling Victim To Unauthorized Charges Scams
Please remember that Velocity Credit Union will never contact you by email or phone to ask you to provide personal account information.
How can someone steal your identity? Identity theft occurs when someone uses your personal information such as your name, Social Security number, credit card number or other identifying information, without your permission to commit fraud or other crimes.
Identity theft is a serious crime. People whose identities have been stolen can spend months or years - and their hard-earned money - cleaning up the mess thieves have made of their good name and credit record. In the meantime, victims may lose job opportunities, be refused loans, education, housing or cars, or even get arrested for crimes they didn't commit.
Protect Yourself from Identity Theft
- Don’t carry your SS# with you
- On your checks:
- Write your work number on your check, not your home number
- Just have your initials for your first name
- Use a P.O. Box instead of your home address
- Memorize your PIN #s (do not carry them with you)
- Deposit mail in a USPS mailbox
- Check your mailbox daily
- Shred unwanted credit card offers
- Use e-statements and online bill pay
- Don’t respond to e-mails requesting personal information. No legitimate company (or credit union) will send you an e-mail asking you to verify or send personal information in reply
- Update virus protection software regularly
- Do not download files or click on hyperlinks sent by people you don’t know
- Use a firewall
- Use a secure browser
- Do not store financial information on your laptop
- Before you dispose of a computer, delete personal information
- Guard your SSN. Do not give it to anyone unless you have contacted them and trust them.
- Use a cross-cut shredder to shred documents containing personal information
- Ask employers, creditors and businesses how they will use and secure your personal information
- Keep all surplus checks, infrequently used credit cards and important documents (e.g. social security card, birth certificate) in a secure location. Don’t carry them with you.
- Cancel and destroy unused credit cards
- Review monthly statements and report suspicious activity
- Review your credit reports annually
- Opt out of mailing lists
- Check your credit reports once a year – it is free
- If you think your identity has been stolen, here's what to do now:
Contact the fraud departments of any one of the three major credit bureaus to place a fraud alert on your credit file. The fraud alert requests creditors to contact you before opening any new accounts or making any changes to your existing accounts. As soon as the credit bureau confirms your fraud alert, the other two credit bureaus will be automatically notified to place fraud alerts, and all three credit reports will be sent to you free of charge.
- Close the accounts that you know or believe have been tampered with or opened fraudulently. Use the ID Theft Affidavit when disputing new unauthorized accounts.
- File a police report. Get a copy of the report to submit to your creditors and others that may require proof of the crime.
- File your complaint with the Federal Trade Commission (FTC). The FTC maintains a database of identity theft cases used by law enforcement agencies for investigations. Filing a complaint also helps them learn more about identity theft and the problems victims are having so they can better assist you.
To order your report, call: 800-685-1111
To report fraud, call: 800-525-6285
TDD 800-255-0056
P.O. Box 740241,
Atlanta, GA 30374-0241
Experian — www.experian.com
To order your report, call: 888-EXPERIAN (397-3742)
To report fraud, call: 888-EXPERIAN (397-3742)
TDD 800-972-0322
P.O. Box 9532,
Allen TX 75013
TransUnion — www.transunion.com
To order your report, call: 800-888-4213
To report fraud, call: 800-680-7289
TDD 877-553-7803
fax: 714-447-6034
email: fvad@transunion.com
Fraud Victim Assistance Department
P.O. Box 6790
Fullerton, CA 92834-6790
Using your ATM/Debit Card is the simple, hassle-free way to get cash, make deposits, check account balances, transfer funds, make purchases and more. To enjoy the many conveniences electronic banking offers, you should make ATM/Debit Card security a priority.
Click here to view some important safety tips. (adobe reader required)
Tips To Avoid Falling Victim To Unauthorized Charges Scams
- Never give out bank account or credit card numbers over the phone if you didn't initiate the call to a reputable, known business. Con-artists constantly try new stories to trick people into giving out their private financial and personal information.
- Beware of so-called 'free trial offers,' especially those that ask you for private information bank account or credit card numbers to cover shipping and handling charges. If the business is so interested in having you as a customer that it is willing to provide its product or service at no charge, why would it not also be willing to cover the cost of shipping?
- Check your accounts each month for unauthorized charges - your credit card and bank accounts, and even your phone bill. It pays to be careful and vigilant - and certainly to complain if someone cheats you.
- When tempted by a great deal offered out of the blue by a business entity you have no direct knowledge of, remind yourself that offers which sound too good to be true generally are. Keep in mind that what is presented as a fabulous value for an amazing low price (e.g. coupons for $200 worth of gasoline in return for $1.95 mailing fee) might be no more than a set-up for the real purpose of persuading you to give up your financial information.
“Phishing” scams have been around for years, but increasingly sophisticated criminals now send e-mails instructing consumers to call a telephone number instead of clicking on a link. This tactic, known as “vishing,” can be especially effective because consumers who encounter a live person are much more likely to let down their guard. These “vishing” scams combine the “phishing” ploy with a Web-based telephone scheme. Even though the phone number appears to be based in a familiar U.S. area code, the scammers are most likely in other countries and impossible to track down.
The latest “vishing” scam immediately disarms consumers by specifically warning about similar schemes. Texas Attorney General Gregg Abbott has sited one recently circulated e-mail that “regretfully” informs the recipient that numerous fraudulent emails, which ask for personal account information, have been circulating. And because of this, they are launching a new security system to make credit union accounts more secure and safe. In order take advantage of the new Consumer Identity Theft Protection Program, the sender advises that they had to deactivate access to their card account. In order to re-activate, the recipient would have to call immediately the number provided in the email.
In an especially brazen move, the e-mail offers identity theft tips and links to the Federal Trade Commission’s (FTC) identity theft prevention Web site. Consumers who think the e-mail is legitimate call the number and furnish sensitive information to a person they believe is a trusted credit union employee. Only when their identity is stolen do they realize it was all a scam.
Velocity members who receive this or any other unexpected e-mail or phone call seeking personal information should not respond. Members who have concerns about their account should contact Velocity Credit Union by calling 512-469-7000. Never click on a link or call a telephone number that appears in an unexpected e-mail.
"Phishing" is an e-mail scam that attempts to trick consumers into revealing personal information—such as their credit or debit account numbers, checking account information, Social Security numbers, or banking account passwords—through fake Web sites or in a reply e-mail. Typically the e-mails and Web sites use familiar logos and slick graphics to deceive consumers into thinking the sender or Web site owner is a government agency or a company they know. Sometimes the phisher urges intended victims to "confirm" account information that has been "stolen" or "lost." Other times the phisher entices victims to reveal personal information by telling them they have won a special prize or earned an exciting reward. Phishing scams are among the fastest growing forms of fraud on the Internet. For more information about this scam, please visit the sites listed below.
www.visa.com/phishing
www.bbb.org/phishing
www.callforaction.org
www.consumer.gov/idtheft
“By learning the eight basic scam types, you will be able to spot any scam - no matter what new spin it’s given by clever con artists,” reports Bankrate.com. According to a recent Bankrate.com report, the following are the eight most common scams of which consumers should be aware:
Advance fee scams - “Advance fee scams are easy to spot,” the report notes. Consumers pay a fee in advance for receiving a credit card, loan or scholarship and receive nothing valuable in return. Recently, the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) recognized several fake loan ads. The ads appear to be real and even use the logos of real financial institutions. “But the phone number in the ad will lead you to an imposter on a cell phone who asks for your personal information, tells you where to wire money for a fee, then disappears - stealing your cash and identity.”
The prize that will cost you - “It should go without saying that if you get an e-mail saying you won something - and you didn't enter - you should just delete it. This is a common scam,” the report states. Often, consumers receive an e-mail indicating that they’ve won something but in order to receive the winnings or the prize, they must pay the taxes or handling fee first. “If you didn't enter anything, you didn't win anything. And even if you did enter, taxes go to the government, not to the organization running the contest. “ Also, do not give out personal information such as your Social Security number or account number to anyone to claim a prize.
Online auctions - “There are several things to be careful of when bargain-shopping online. If you find an item priced far too low, it may be a scam - a fake item, a stolen item, an item in really bad condition or something you will pay for and never receive.” This is particularly important to remember in online auctions, where pressure often surrounds bidding wars. “Never agree to pay by cash or money order - these methods of payment are untraceable and offer you no protection. You may also want to be wary of escrow companies because they are easily faked.”
Fraud jobs - According to Bankrate.com, there are several types of employment scams. “The most notorious tricks include being recruited for an illegal job; identity theft through job applications, and bogus employment fees.” In addition, the information you provide in your job application may cause you to become a victim of identity theft. The scammer may then use your personal financial information to apply for credit cards to buy more merchandise. “While hunting for a job, you may encounter someone who promises you a job, but only if you will pay a fee for processing, administration or uniforms. Steer clear of these people even if they promise you a money-back guarantee. “
Money-making schemes - “When people are down on their luck, they may turn to get-rich-quick or money-making schemes. Somehow the scammers make old scams, such as the Nigerian scam and pyramid schemes, seem like plausible ways for you to make a lot of cash in a hurry. If it's an easy way to make money, it's probably illegal, a scam or just a really bad idea.”
Bogus charity - When giving to a charity, be sure to check out the charity first. “Never give payment information to anyone calling or e-mailing you, claiming to be with a charity,” the report recommends. “Ask them to send you paperwork on their organization. Then research the organization online and with the Better Business Bureau to make sure it's legitimate - and that you've got the right contact information.”
Identity theft - Although identity theft is not new, cases of identity theft are rising. “The thieves need only a few elements to victimize you - usually, your name and Social Security number will do.” Scammers obtaining this information are often involved with other crimes such as advance fee scams and fraudulent job offers. “The name for this scam is "phishing"…Almost any scam can be sprinkled with a smattering of identity theft - advance fee scams, fraud jobs and online auctions included. All it takes to become a victim of identity theft is a leak of your personal information.”
Products that are too good to be true - “If it seems too good to be true, it probably is,” the report reminds consumers. “Remember that a con artist makes a career of using excuses and explanations to lead you away from your common sense. When dealing with your money and personal information, never allow yourself to be rushed, threatened or persuaded against your judgment.” Consumers are warned that offers that are “too good to be true” do not just involve Internet or telemarketer scams. They may also be found in mail offers, magazine ads and brick and mortar stores. “Stay vigilant and trust your gut.”
