Current Threats

Minimizing the risk of current threats is a shared responsibility between LCCU and our members. Please review how you can protect yourself, as well as the steps LCCU takes to safeguard your accounts.

LCCU is committed to helping you keep your money and identity safe. Here are our top tips to avoid some of the latest scams.

Don't Fall For An Impersonation Scam

Scammers often pose as government agencies, well-known businesses, or even LCCU to trick you into providing personal information. You might get a call, email, text, or message on social media claiming that:

There’s a problem with a payment or your account.
You have won a prize or special offer.
You need to verify personal details.

Stop and think. These are common types of phishing attacks. If you get an unexpected call or message – even if it looks like it’s from LCCU or another organization you know – do not reply, click any links, or call any numbers provided. Instead, contact us directly at (919) 595-1800.

Get An Extra Layer Of Protection

Always use a hard-to-guess username and password for online and mobile access. Because today’s cyber threats require even more security, we recommend setting up two-factor authentication. With two-factor authentication, even if your credentials are stolen, fraudsters won’t be able to access your account without the additional verification step.

Protect Yourself From Identity Theft

Your personal information is valuable to fraudsters. Documents like receipts, bills, and pre-approved credit offers can be used to steal your identity or sold online.

Shredding unnecessary documents, like receipts you don’t need, bills you’ve already paid, and credit card offers, is one way to help protect yourself from identity theft. However, be careful to keep receipts related to business expenses, home renovations, or other paperwork that you may need for tax or recordkeeping purposes.

We're Here For You

If you believe you’ve been targeted by fraud, report it immediately. Call us at (919) 595-1800 or email us at info@latinoccu.org or send a secure message in LatincoConnect online or through the mobile app.

Stay Safe From Current Threats And Remember

LCCU will NEVER ask for your credentials, card numbers, or personal information.
We will NEVER instruct you to withdraw cash from an ATM.
LCCU will NEVER contact you through social media platforms such as WhatsApp, Facebook, or Instagram.

If you ever have doubts about a request, contact LCCU directly at (919) 595-1800 before taking action. Your security is our priority. Stay informed, stay protected!

Know what to avoid

Malware

Malware, derived from the words “malicious” and “software”, is used by criminals to damage your computer system without your knowledge. Malware includes all types of unwanted software such as computer viruses, worms, trojan horses, spyware, and adware. This software can create a pathway for criminals to gain personal information. If you are a victim of Malware, you will need to clean and secure all computers at your location.

To prevent being a victim of Malware, you should follow the steps below:

Make sure your Anti-Virus is up to date.
Scan computer with an Anti-Virus program.
Scan computer with an Anti-Spyware/Adware program.
Run Window Update on your computer.
Install a Firewall program.
If applicable secure your wireless network.

Text Messaging Fraud

Messaging fraud is the newest type of scam where members receive a fraudulent message on their phone. “Smishing” uses cell phone text messages to get you to divulge your personal information. The latest scam is to send a text that is titled ‘fraudulent activity on your debit card’. The message may include a website address, a number to text a response or a phone number to call. The scammer will then try to get you to provide information such as social security number, card number and CVV (3 or 4-digit security code) information. The message will give the appearance that immediate attention is needed.

If you receive a fraudulent message, then you should follow the steps below:

Do NOT reply to the message in any form.
Forward the message to info@latinoccu.org so it can be researched.
Delete the message.

Email Fraud/Phishing

Email fraud, or “phishing”, involves emails that appear to be from a legitimate source, but are a criminal attempt at obtaining personal and/or account information. Phishing emails will often provide a website link that will direct you to a fake website. It will prompt you to enter your personal information. Don’t be fooled! The site will look almost identical to the legitimate one. It is important to remember that LCCU never requests personal information via email, as email is not a secure method of communication.

Ransomware

Malicious software called ransomware can deny access to a computer system and its data until a ransom is paid. Ransomware usually spreads when a user clicks a link in a scam (phishing) email or unknowingly visits an infected website, causing the installation of encryption software or a virus on their mobile or desktop device.

To prevent being a victim of email fraud, you should follow the steps below:

Do NOT click any links in or reply to a suspicious email.
Do NOT enter any requested information.

If you are a victim of email fraud, then you should contact our Member Service Center immediately at (919) 595-1800 or forward the email to info@latinoccu.org.

Other Online Fraud

Fraud can also occur when selling items through an online auction service. The following is a common online auction scam:

You are selling merchandise through an auction site or buy from a seller site. The buyer sends you a check that is more than the asking price. You contact the buyer to let him/her know of the error. The buyer apologizes for the mistake and states they sent you the wrong check. The buyer tells you to deposit the check anyway and wire the extra funds back to a specific account. This sounds legitimate but after the check is processed, the Credit Union discovers the check is fraudulent. Since the member who deposits the check bears the responsibility of the check, you are notified that your account needs to be debited to cover the returned check.

If you become a victim of online auction fraud, then you should follow the steps below:

Do NOT wire funds to anyone as reimbursement for overpayment.
Do NOT deposit or cash the check.
Contact local law enforcement.

Search Engines

Common search engines, such as Google, Bing, and Yahoo, are used to find information on the World Wide Web without knowing a specific web address. The idea of the search engine is to locate prominent web pages based on your search criteria and display a listing of these web pages for you to select. The search engine, however, does not know if the web pages listed in your results are legitimate or if these web pages contain suspicious activity. Though these links may not appear suspicious, you must be cautious when selecting unknown websites and videos. Cybercriminals keep track of popular searches at any given time and create phony web pages and malicious videos based on the most searched keywords, people and/or events. These web pages and video links, created by cybercriminals, can be one or more of the many results displayed to the user. If you visit a fraudulent webpage or video, you may unknowingly download malware to your computer and/or the page will request personal or financial information.

Social Media Scams

Social media scams are on the rise and young individuals are being targeted regularly. Being a victim of any social media scam can impact your life for many years. Whether you use Facebook, Instagram, WhatsApp, X, or others, fraudsters are there too. Below are some important tips to protect yourself from frauds and scams while using social media.

To prevent be a victim of Social Media Scams, please follow the steps below:

Never share your LatinoConnect username or password with anyone. If someone asks for your credentials, it’s fraud. Your credit union will never call and ask you for this information.
Never share your debit card PIN number.
Never agree to “send money back” to any individual in return for a direct deposit or check deposit.
Do not share your login passwords for any app with another individual. This is your private information and there’s never a good reason to share it.
Be extremely cautious about anyone that approaches you about a job on social media. Most legitimate employers do not recruit via social media.
Learn what information is really needed to set up a direct deposit. Sharing your online banking credentials is not needed to set up a direct-deposit or a person-to-person transfer.
Use complex passwords with letters, numbers, and symbols that would be impossible for others to guess.
If you think you are the victim of fraud, notify your credit union right away.

Protect your debit and credit cards by using card control apps to set spending limits, lock your cards, set up purchase alerts, and more.

Ponzi Schemes

A Ponzi Scheme is a fraudulent investment plan where a person or entity takes people’s money as an ‘investment’ and pays out returns from new ‘investors’. Once the new money coming in fails to pay the prior investors the scheme collapses and most ‘investors’ lose their money (since it was paid out to other ‘investors’ as a return).

Voice Messaging Fraud

“Vishing” is facilitated by Voice Phishing to gain access to your private personal and financial information. With this scam you receive an automated recorded message or a real sounding computer generated message via artificial intelligence that gives you a phone number to call or an option to select. The message will give the appearance that immediate attention is needed.

If you become a victim of Voice Phishing Fraud, then you should follow the steps below:

Do NOT respond to the message in any form.
Inform our Member Service Center at (919) 595-1800.
Delete the message.

Fraudsters are always looking for new ways to steal personal and financial information, but by staying informed and taking proactive steps, you can protect yourself and your accounts. Together, we can fight fraud and keep your money secure.

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