Recently, there have been multiple email fraud attempts, known as "phishing,” that were initiated via email sent to both the general public and to some credit union members that appeared to be from the National Credit Union Administration (NCUA).  This false email asked for the recipient to click on a link to verify their credit union account registration.  If the recipient proceeded to do so, the link directed them to a false website and asked for their credit union account number and PIN, along with other personal information.

NCUA does not ask credit unions members for such personal information, and anyone who receives an email that purports to be from NCUA and that 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 follow the instructions in the email.

Phishing is a high-tech scam that uses spam or pop-up messages to deceive unsuspecting consumers into disclosing their credit card numbers, checking account information, Social Security number, passwords, and other sensitive information.  Credit unions are encouraged to inform and educate their members about phishing, as well as how to avoid being hooked by a phishing scam.  Following are a few suggestions:

• Don’t respond to email or pop-up messages that asks for personal or financial information, as legitimate companies don’t ask for this information via email.
• Never e-mail personal or financial information because e-mail is not a secure method of transmitting personal information.  If you initiate a transaction and want to provide your personal or financial information through an organization’s Web site, look for indicators that the site is secure.  
• Be sure to review credit card and account statements as soon as you receive them to determine whether there are any unauthorized charges.
• Use anti-virus software and keep it up to date.   
• Be cautious about opening any attachment or downloading any files from emails you receive, regardless of who sent them.

For more information, including how to file a report of this crime, go to http://www.cybercrime.gov.  You may also contact the NCUA Fraud Hotline, at (800) 827-9650, or Dallas Credit Union at (214) 748-5166.