Fraud Alerts
Latest Fraud
Read about the latest fraud with checks being stolen out the mail here.
Scam Alert
Please be aware of benefit and federal aid scams targeting people in our area. With the Federal and State Governments offering financial assistance (Unemployment, Loans and Grants) there are individuals taking advantage of the situation, making some people “money mules”.
The scam begins by the Fraudster contacting the victim via text messages and/or email communications and becoming their “Friend” or “Employer." Once the Fraudster is able to gain their trust they request a favor to be able to send them some money per their instructions. The victim then provides their account information to the Fraudster, who then uses it to transfer money obtained from fraudulent loans, grants or unemployment benefits from the Federal and State Governments. Once the victim receives the money the Fraudster directs them to transfer it to either themselves or to a third party at another financial institution.
If you think you have been a victim of this scam please contact us immediately at 301.944.1800 or via email at [email protected]
Mid-Atlantic Federal Credit Union would like to share some basic fraud intelligence about intermittent scams that are currently operating in the state of Maryland and potentially other areas of the U.S.
Criminals in possession of card details and other forms of personally identifiable information (PII) are spoofing credit union phone numbers in an effort to fool credit union members into thinking that text messages are actually from the fraud department of a particular credit union. Fraudsters are sending text messages under the guise of trying to validate recent card activity and are including hyperlinks within some text messages.
Fraudsters are also using text messaging to deceive credit union members into providing card related data and log in credentials.
In another scenario, fraudsters are posing as credit union employees in order to obtain One Time Passcodes (OTP) from members. While on the phone with a member, the fraudster logs into a credit union online banking site. When the OTP is sent to the member’s phone, the fraudster asks the member to provide the OTP as a means to validate the member. When the information is shared with the person the member believes is a credit union employee, the fraudster uses the OTP to finalize access to online banking, which is typically followed by changing the online banking password and transferring funds from member accounts.
Suggested Best Practices for Members
- Be cautious when responding to SMS text messages as well as voice calls, even if they appear to come from the credit union.
- Call us at 301.944.1800 to question any SMS text messages or voice calls purportedly from the credit union.
- Never provide personal information in response to SMS text messages and phone calls purportedly from the credit union.
- Do not click on links included in text messages from unknown sources. Legitimate requests to validate card activity will request a simple response of YES or NO. They will not include hyperlinks to other websites or ask for any personal info.
Training, Education, and Awareness
You can take numerous security precautions while shopping online. Learn how to keep your personal and financial information safe with our safety modules.