Phishing Alert from Air Force FCU
September 24, 2008

Telephone/Text Message Phishing Scam

Air Force FCU has informed members in the past of scams to gain cardholder information with the intent of committing fraudulent activity against member accounts. The credit union has been notified of multiple member credit unions that have recently reported a phishing scam they are experiencing. This fraudulent attempt to capture card numbers is done with an automated telephone service or a text message.

The message indicates the member’s debit card may have been compromised and has been placed on a hold status. In order to activate the card, the message asks the member to call another phone number and enter their 16-digit card number and PIN.

There are so many ways for perpetrators to attempt to get personal information, including the use of auto-dialers and text messages. It is important to limit the release of your personal information in order to protect yourself from fraud. Air Force Federal Credit Union will never ask you to provide account numbers, passwords, Social Security Numbers or other private or personal information about you through e-mail or text.

In addition, the use of CVI validation on ATM/PIN POS transactions can prevent use of card data if you unknowingly release information to the fraudsters perpetrating a phishing scam. Institutions have recently been able to avoid financial losses on fraudulent ATM transactions declined for “Invalid CVI” because credit unions had activated this very critical tool.

Please contact us with any questions or concerns.