Local San Bernardino School Employees Credit Union Reports Online Fraud Attempt

While OMSEFCU is not a current target, we would like to make our members aware that a phishing email message is circulating and attempting to collect member Internet Banking sign-on information from a local San Bernardino Schools Credit Union. Do not open such an email and DO NOT LOG IN and click any links from any such email. Delete it immediately. This is an Identity Theft attempt directly targeting members at a local credit union. Ontario-Montclair School Employees Federal Credit Union does NOT request personal or financial information email, via text message, or other such electronic channels.

If you have accidentally attempted to login to a false page, please email us immediately at admin@omsefcu.org. Reported Fraudulent email text is as follows:

You have 1 new ALERT message
Please update your SBSE Federal Credit Union account.
Your Internet Banking Account is currently locked.

To Login, please click the link below:

SBSE Federal Credit Union ONLINE

Fraud Prevention Assistance

To help you avoid becoming a victim of fraud, we urge you to explore the various services that offer 24/7 fraud monitoring and identity theft protection. For example, you can visit www.Experian.com and learn about their Triple Advantage product (now offering a free 30-day trial).

Another protection product is LifeLock, which alerts you when anyone is seeking to use your personal information to obtain approval for a new credit card, increase an credit limit, offer insurance, sell you a car, home or cell phone, etc. The potential credit grantor is then instructed to take extra care with any requests for new credit and to make sure the person initiating the transaction is actually you. They do this by calling you at the number you have provided and stored on your LifeLock protection subscription for that purpose. OMSEFCU members are eligible for a discounted LifeLock subscription by calling (800) 543-3562 or by visiting their website at www.lifelock.com. Please be sure to use Promo Code: omsefcu to obtain a special credit union member reduced rate.

Telephone Phishing Scam

April 2, 2007

Consumers are reporting a new fraud scan targeting credit union members. This new fraudulent attempt to capture card numbers is done with an automated telephone service. The system randomly calls phone numbers and states they are the credit union. It asks the member to enter their 16 digit debit or credit card number. expiration date and PIN number. It has validation capabilities and will not accept card numbers that fail the Mod 10 validation.

There are so many ways for perpetrators to attempt to get personal information. It is important to remind members to never release personal information in order to protect themselves from fraud.

Social Security Phishing Scam

The Social Security Administration issued a warning about a new e-mail scam being circulated with the subject, “Cost-of-Living for 2007 Update.” The message appears to be from the Social Security Administration and provides information about the benefit increase for 2007. It contains the following, “NOTE: We now need you to update your personal information. If this is not completed by November 11, 2006, we will be forced to suspend your account indefinitely.” The reader is then directed to a Web site designed to look like Social Security’s Internet Web site. Once directed to the phony Web site, the individual is asked to register for a password and to confirm their identity by providing personal information such as the individual’s Social Security number, bank account information, and credit card information.

Inspector General O’Carroll recommends people always take precautions when giving out personal information. “You should never provide your Social Security number or other personal information over the Internet or by telephone unless you are extremely confident of the source to whom you are providing the information,” O’Carroll said.

• To report receipt of this e-mail message or other suspicious activity to Social Security’s Office of Inspector General, please call the OIG Hotline at 1-800-269-0271. Do not click on the link in the suspect e-mail.


• Do not open an attachment to an unsolicited e-mail unless you have verified the source.


• Do not be intimidated by an e-mail or caller who suggest dire consequences if you do not immediately provide or verify information.


• If you believe the contact is legitimate, go to the company’s web site by typing in the site address directly or using a page you have previously book marked, instead of a link provided in the e-mail.


• If you are victim of a "phishing e-mail" take appropriate steps to help protect yourself:
  • Request a block and reissue the compromised credit/debit cards.
  • Make a report to one or more credit bureaus.
  • Order a copy of your credit report.

Report the incident to Internet Fraud Complaint Center at http://www.ifccfbi.gov/cf1.asp

If you have been victimized by a spoofed e-mail or Web site, you should contact your local law enforcement, US Postal Inspector, or FBI. Also a Public Fraud Reporting form is also available online at http://www.socialsecurity.gov/oig.

Some safety tips for seniors:

• Arrange for direct deposit of Social Security checks and other retirement benefits.
• Do not give anyone access to your ATM cards or passwords.
• Take great care in choosing someone to appoint as power of attorney and in completing or revising a will.
• Be careful about permitting family, friends or tenants to live in your house. Have a written agreement about expectations of services to be performed or rent paid.
• Treat home attendants like employees, not friends.
• Keep valuables hidden if someone comes into the house on a regular basis.
• Maintain contact with family, friends, neighbors and/or your community center. The more active you are, the less likely you are to be exploited.