Beware Check Fraud
At US Eagle, the safety and security of your finances is of great importance. We want to ensure we’re doing everything we can, and advising you to do the same, to thwart hackers and their like from making fraudulent claims on your funds. Recently though, fraud through Remote Deposit Capture (RDC) hacks is increasing and we want you to be aware of some of the new tricks that fraudsters are using.
Money Mule Scam: The fraudster in this case poses as a “love interest” on social media, or makes an offer for the “perfect job.” The scammer gains the target’s trust, who then unwittingly, provides personal account information (i.e., account number, home banking log-in passwords, etc.). Armed with the personal information, the scammer then deposits a check using the RDC tool, and directs the person to purchase gift cards, or to send funds back to the scammer. The victim makes the requested transaction, believing they have the funds available from the deposited check. After a few days, the check is returned as fraudulent, and the victim is left with the negative balance, or their entire account is compromised.
Wire Fraud: Members receive calls from hackers posing as reputable companies like Microsoft. A scammer will call claiming to be a representative of Microsoft and tells the member that their computer is compromised. Gaining our members trust, our member then allows the scammer to gain access to their computer remotely. The un suspecting victim also provides their debit/credit card information to the scammer, thinking they are paying to have the “virus” fixed on the computer. The scammer uses that access to gain access to bank accounts and then move the funds around within their account. The member may be presented with a screen shot of the transferred funds, telling them they accidently charged too much. Scammers then instruct our member to come in and wire funds back to them due to the overpayment. Members may even be instructed not to tell credit union staff about the wire. Wires are cashed out and the funds lost, as we do not have the ability to recover the wired funds.
To avoid being a victim of either case discussed above, please be very careful about who you give access to your accounts. If you have any questions concerning fraud or think you may be a victim of fraud, call US Eagle’s Fraud Prevention Department at (505) 342-8871.