"If It's Too Good to Be True, It's Probably a SCAM!"

At Meijer CU, we realize that fraud and scams are getting more and more prevalent and more and more damaging!  Not to mention that technology has made it possible to scam us from all sorts of angles, from emails to text messages.  

WHY IS THIS IMPORTANT?  According to research provided by the National Federation of Credit Counseling:

• Nearly 10 million Americans were victims of identity theft fraud in 2008
• Financial institutions lose an estimated $4,800 per victim
• It takes a victim an average of 44 hours to recover from identity theft

For the latest in fraud and security, visit CU Secure bottom.  We'll keep you up-to-date on what to watch for and how to protect yourself!  

NEW SCAMS: 
Mystery Shopper

• Victims receive email or U.S. mail urging them to apply as a mystery shopper; they must send a resume & are subject to background checks.
• Fraudster sends the "shopper" a check with instructions to shop at a specific retailer, for a specific time frame, and spend a specific amount while taking notes on the retailer (environment, color, payment procedures, etc).
• "Shopper" returns to evaluate the ease and accuracy of wiring money from the retailer; they must wire a portion of the check they receive after purchasing the merchandise as well, and the remaining balance is the "shopper's" pay.
• After all steps are completed, the "shopper" learns the check is counterfeit and is then responsible for the money lost & fees!!!

Sweepstakes Scam

• Members receive a check that appears to be from Allstate Insurance Company.
• The accompanying letter has the Allstate logo and a picutre of a regional manager; when contacting Allstate, member finds that is NOT an actual Allstate employee.
• The check amount is to "aid in the mandatory payment of Non-Canadian Residential Tax, insurance, and delivery charges pertaining to your $250,000 winning." 
• Letter lists a claim agent and a tax agent; Check is for $4,987.70 from Bank of America.

   CU Secure is a website devoted to education about online identity theft & phishing. 

• Meijer Credit Union would never ask for any card related information over the phone, via email, nor via text (neither would MasterCard nor CUNA nor the NCUA nor a U.S. Census Worker) 
• If you should experience such a call/email/text, contact the MCU or MasterCard with as many details as possible
• TO BE AWARE, BE ALERT and pay CLOSE ATTENTION to anyone asking for your card account details over the phone or email/text and refuse to comply with said request

REPORTING INTERNET FRAUD:

The following website is one to check out for filing a complaint of Internet crime, such as phishing and other fraudulent activity experienced by your members:  http://www.ic3.gov/default.aspx