ALEXANDRIA, Va.—NCUA, which has had to deal with phishing scams aimed at credit unions and their members, is now dealing with a new threat: a phishing scam aimed at itself.
The scam involves a website (image at right) similar in design to NCUA’s is attempting to bilk money from consumers, NCUA reports.
NCUA has received reports of the online scam that sends consumers e-mails from the National Credit Union website, which apparently originates in Australia and claims to offer services in the United States, Europe and the Commonwealth of Independent States, the agency stated in a release. The website is not affiliated in any way with NCUA, and the e-mails are not from NCUA, the agency emphasized.
NCUA explained that the e-mails attempt to persuade individuals to provide personal information, such as Social Security numbers, account numbers and login information, or transfer large amounts of money.
NCUA is advising consumers who are receiving the e-mails to call the agency’s Fraud Hotline (800-827-9650) and contact the Internet Crime Complaint Center, and to go to MyCreditUnion.gov for information about avoiding frauds and scams.
NCUA further advised that consumers who suspect they may have become victims of identity theft should immediately contact their financial institutions and, if necessary, close existing accounts and open new ones.