Scams and Frauds: Important information you need to know

As long as you have something of value, there will be thieves who want to take it from you. The solution? Stay one step ahead of them by learning about their methods. We've compiled a list of common scams to help you do just that. By familiarizing yourself with the information on this page, you'll be able to keep scammers at bay. Service Plus Credit Union will NEVER ask you to reveal personal or account information via email.

If you know of any other scams, please let us know.

Visa Scam

Visa has reported that some cardholders are receiving e-mails that appear to be from Visa, telling them that their card has been compromised, and that even if they have their card in their possession, there may be fraud on their account. It instructs the cardholder to monitor their account for fraud, and to go to the link included to update their personal information. Visa would never ask cardholder's for personal information. Additionally, Visa wouldn't have cardholder's e-mail addresses to be sending out these alerts.

"Phishing" Emails

NCUA Email - Recently, there have been multiple e-mail fraud attempts, known as "Phishing,” that were initiated via e-mail sent to both the general public and to some credit union members that appeared to be from NCUA. This false e-mail asked for the recipient to click on a link to verify their credit union account registration. If the recipient proceeded to do so, the link directed them to a false website and asked for their credit union account number and PIN, along with other personal information.

NCUA does not ask credit unions members for such personal information. Anyone who receives an e-mail that purports to be from NCUA and asks for account information should consider it to be a fraudulent attempt to obtain their personal account data for an illegal purpose and should not follow the instructions in the e-mail.

If you responded to such an e-mail and provided any confidential account information, please notify your credit union immediately of the scheme. You should also change your account’s PIN, and take any additional action recommended by your credit union to protect your account.

If you feel that you have received a fraudulent phishing e-mail purportedly from NCUA please forward the entire e-mail message to phishing@ncua.gov.

CO-OP Network Phishing Scam - This is a new phishing scam that uses the CO-OP Network identity. The email asks you to update your profile by clicking a link and entering your name, Social Security Number, and credit/debit card information. This is fraudulent, as the CO-OP Network never contacts credit union members directly and never requests personal account information.

Recent emails, purporting to be from the "Servicepluscu Security Department" are scams. These emails may indicate that your account will be "suspended within 24 hours for security reasons" if you do not confirm your email address or provide personal account information. Do not respond to these emails - delete them.

Current email scams using the NCUA (National Credit Union Administration, the agency that insures federal credit unions), Visa, and Paypal are prime examples of phishing, in which thieves "fish" for your personal or bank account information by sending fake emails asking you to verify bank account information, often as a matter of urgency. Such emails appear to come from respected companies or financial institutions and use that company's graphics to give the air of legitimacy. Some really devious phishers direct people to a genuine site and then launch a pop-up window. Armed with your information, a scammer can withdraw funds from your accounts or open credit cards in your name.

TIPS: No company, credit card issuer, or financial institution will ever ask you to verify your account information online. If you're in doubt as to the the legitimacy of an email, verify it by contacting the company that reportedly sent it. Do NOT rely on contact information included in a suspicious email.

To file a formal complaint, go to www.ic3.gov.

Nigerian Email

This is a scam in which a wealthy foreigner, usually from Nigeria, sends you an email asking for help in moving millions of dollars from his homeland, with the promise of a hefty reward for your assistance. He asks you first to wire money to cover administrative costs, taxes, and other fees. Once you wire the money, the "wealthy foreigner" disappears. Many versions of this scam exist, all with the same theme: someone in a foreign country needs help transferring a large fortune and promises a huge reward.

TIP: Ignore these emails.

ATM Tampering

A new crime involves tampering with an ATM in order to capture your ATM card and PIN. Typically, thieves attach devices like skimmers and false fronts to obtain the information stored on the magnetic strip or to trap a card. To obtain your PIN, thieves hide miniature cameras near the keypad, install a fake keypad over the real one, or simply stand close to the ATM ("shoulder surfing") where they can view your PIN entry.

TIPS: Inspect ATMs carefully. Look for traces of adhesive, tape residue, exposed wires, unusual attachments, or signs that say the instructions have changed. If an ATM doesn't look right, don't use it. Beware of people who offer "assistance," and of "shoulder surfers." If your card is not returned after the transaction or after cancelling the transaction, or if cash is not disbursed when it should have been, contact the financial institution immediately.

Counterfeit Checks/Money Orders/Cashier's Checks

This is a popular fraud, often tied to online sales, in which someone sends you a counterfeit check to purchase something you're selling online. Often, but not always, the check will be for an amount over what you request, and the payer will ask that you cash the check and wire the overpayment back. If you cash the check, you become liable for the full amount once it's found to be counterfeit.

TIPS: If you receive a check that seems suspicious, notify Service Plus immediately. We'll attempt to confirm the legitimacy of the check. Be particularly cautious of overseas buyers. If possible, sell locally, especially for high dollar items such as cars or jewelry. Consider having funds wired to your bank account as payment, or sent through a service like PayPal.

Learn more about current fraud schemes from the Federal Bureau of Investigation.