Scams and Fraud

Click on the links below to navigate to informative and helpful information concerning fraud:

• Phone Scam Alert NEW

• Related Information

• View and Print Anti Fraud/Credit Report PDF

Phone Scam Alert

We have been made aware of a telephone scam that is targeting credit unions throughout the country.

Targeted credit union members are receiving an automated message claiming that their credit union has suspended their VISA card and is instructing them to call an 800 number to reactivate the card.

When the consumer calls the number, they are prompted to dial in their account number, expiration date and pin number. They are then instructed to press "1" to reactivate the card.

Duplicate cards are being created in Spain and used to withdraw cash or make purchases.

Please remember - if there is a problem with your card you will be contacted by a credit union member service rep or one of our fraud monitoring agent. If the call comes from our fraud monitoring agent, they will already have your account number and other pertinent information. They will not need your PIN or expiration date.

If you have been a target for this or any scam that may have led to your account information to be compromised, please notify a credit union representative as soon as possible.

What can YOU do?

• NEVER call a number received in a spam email and NEVER enter any private information if you do call. If you're not sure if the email is spam, call the number on the back of your credit/debit/check card or the number listed on your billing statement. If it's legitimate, you will be directed accordingly.
   

• Never click on the link provided in an email you believe is fraudulent. If you wish to check your account online, use the web-links provided by your financial institution NOT the link provided in the email.
   

• Do not open attachments from unsolicited e-mails unless you can verify specifically where it came from.
   

• Do not be intimidated by an email or caller who suggests dire consequences if you don't give them your information. Do call your local office/branch to confirm any unsolicited phone calls you may have received asking for your information.

If you wish to file a complaint or incident contact the Internet Fraud Center at http://www.ifccfbi.gov/cf1.asp

An additional resource is the Anti-Phishing Work Group at http://www.antiphishing.org/index.html

What does the Credit Union do to protect your information?

Whenever you use the internet to visit the credit union where your personal information will be displayed, you are entering a secure area. We take the following security measure to ensure your information is safe:

• Password Protection - If you need to change your personal information in your online banking account, you must access your account using your userid and password. We would never send you a link and ask you to update any information on file with us.

• Encryption - Our site uses 128 - bit encryption. Look for a closed lock on any website where you are required to enter financial/personal information. If you don't see the lock, DON'T enter your information.

• Privacy Policies - We have a stringent privacy and security policy which can be viewed at anytime from our online banking web site.

What can YOU do to protect yourself?

• Passwords - Keep your passwords safe. Don't use a password that is easy for others to guess. Instead - use a password that contains a variety of letters and numbers, or just numbers. Make it a point to change your password regularly.

• Anti-virus Software - Install it. Use it. Keep it current.

• Firewalls - A firewall acts like a protective shell between your computer and the rest of the outside world. It helps reduce threats to your home computer from the internet by filtering out potentially dangerous data and unauthorized access to your computer. Be sure you keep your firewall updated as well.

• Operating Systems - You should regularly check for security updates and keep your system updated.

• Disconnect - They can't get in if you're not connected. Turn your computer off or at least disconnect from the internet when you are not using it.

• Back up your data - Even if you follow all of the above, protect yourself from loss of critical data by backing up your files.

Be Observant

• E-Mail - Before you open an e-mail attachment or click on a link, be sure that you know where they came from.

• Be aware of phishing - Criminals are copying websites and using a web address that are deceptively close to the web address of a genuine business.

• Web address confusion - Again, criminals will obtain a web address that is deceptively close to the genuine business, hoping that you'll miss-type the web address and enter your personal information.

• Because identity theft continues to be one of the fastest growing crimes in the United States, the FDIC has produced a multimedia presentation to help consumers protect themselves from identity theft. To access this presentation, "Don't Be an On-line Victim: How to Guard Against Internet Thieves and Electronic Scams", please visit the following link:

www.fdic.gov/consumers/consumer/guard/index.html

Notice to All Members                                                                                            

We'd like to take a moment to stress to our members the importance of
keeping your contact information current with not only your credit union, but
with all of your financial institutions.

In the event that we suspect fraudulent activity, it is important that we be
able to reach you as soon as possible. We wouldn't want to allow fraud to
continue nor would we want to leave you stranded without access to your
funds.

Your contact information should be updated as soon as you move or change
addresses or home phone numbers. Updating your work phone when
you change jobs is equally as important.

Remember, MPO does not sell your personal information to any outside source.

Information Change Do's:

• Inform us in writing via fax or letter.

• Follow up with a phone call.

• Watch for your account statement.

• Make sure that if you have an MPO Visa credit or check card, you
  let us know so that we can update that information too!

Information Change Don'ts:

• DO NOT EVER respond to an email from us asking you to update
  your account information online. This should always be considered
  a fraudulent attempt to obtain personal information. Please contact us
  immediately should you receive a request such as this.

• Don't inform us via email - it's not secure.

• Don't just phone call in the change - we need to have a written
  document to keep on file.

• Don't send someone not on your account to do the change for you.

As always - please contact us should you have any questions or concerns.