Current Threats

Know what to avoid

Minimizing the risk of current threats is a joint effort between LCCU and our membership. Please review how you can protect yourself from these threats, as well as how LCCU protects you. You can also check out the current alerts issued by the NC Department of Justice Attorney General.

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.

If you are a victim of Malware, then 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 CVV2 information. The message will give the appearance that immediate attention is needed.

If you are a victim of Messaging Fraud, 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.

If you are a victim of email fraud, then you should follow the steps below:

Do NOT click any links in or reply to a suspicious email
Do NOT enter any requested information
Contact our Virtual Branch immediately at (919) 595-1800
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 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

Online Threats - 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.

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 Over Internet Phone (VoIP) to gain access to your private personal and financial information. With this scam you receive an automated recorded message that gives you a phone number to call. The message will give the appearance that immediate attention is needed.

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

Do NOT respond to the message in any form
Inform our Virtual Branch at (919) 595-1800
Delete the message

Did you know about our Zero-Liability Guarantee for Online Fraud? You may not be liable for online fraud that originates from our Member Access or Mobile Access sites that occurred through no fault of your own. Click below to learn more.

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Current Threats

Know what to avoid

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