You know you should review your credit report annually and look for signs of fraudulent activity, but how often do you scrutinize your receipts? In this new scam, store employees add cash back to your credit or debit card purchases even though you don't request cash back. Then they either pocket the money or give it to their friends who are behind you in line. Avoid falling victim to this new scam by looking at your receipts closely before you complete your transactions.

ITaP is warning the Purdue community and affiliate organizations about reports of a targeted e-mail scam alleging to be from the "webmaster" of Purdue University. This scam appears to be directed to organizations that are closely affiliated with Purdue, but it could be directed to individuals affiliated with Purdue University as well.

The e-mail scam states that Purdue University is changing its domain name and urges recipients to update their Web links for Purdue. The URL referenced in the scam e-mail points to a fraudulent Web page intended to pass as the Purdue homepage.

Purdue University is not changing its domain name or homepage URL, and Purdue's homepage is not becoming a .com site. If you receive this fraudulent e-mail, do not reply or take any action. Delete the e-mail immediately.

Source: Purdue Information Technology

The FDIC is warning residents in Indiana about the circulation of counterfeit cashier's checks. The counterfeit checks appear to be from CentreBank in Veedersburg, Ind. Authentic checks are printed on gold paper with a basket-weave background and bank contact information is located in the bottom-left corner. To verify the authenticity of a CentreBank check, you may call 765.497.3328, or stop by a PEFCU branch.

Source: FDIC

The Federal Trade Commission (FTC) is warning consumers to watch out for several economic stimulus scams.

Scam 1: Fraudulent Web sites and e-mails telling consumers that for a small fee, they can get help qualifying for a payment from the federal economic stimulus package.

Scam 2: Deceptive e-mails that ask consumers to provide financial account information so money can be directly deposited into their accounts or to "verify" they qualify for a payment.

Scam 3: Fake e-mails that tell consumers to click on links to find out whether they qualify for stimulus funds. After consumers click the links, malicious software or spyware is downloaded onto their computers.

In all these scams, consumers' identities and financial accounts are at risk. Remember to never provide your personal or financial information to unknown or unverified source. If you have been a victim of these or another stimulus scam, please contact the FTC.

Source: Federal Trade Commission

Scammers are still reeling in consumers with requests to evaluate local businesses. A recent twist on this old scam involves newspaper advertisements requesting consumers to evaluate their local financial institutions. The requestor asks consumers to open bank accounts using their own money then to send account and security information to an address in South Carolina. The request purportedly comes from the American Bankers Association, but this is an attempt to steal consumers' personal information. Remember to never provide your personal or financial information to an unknown source and if you believe you have been a victim of fraud, contact your local law enforcement agency.

A recent online shopping scam involves poorly protected legitimate Web sites. When individuals make a purchase on some such sites, a pop–up window opens. The window offers utilities and services and may be titled "Shoppers Advantage" or "Privacy Guard", among others. Once people click on the window, they are signed up for the service and the credit card number they used to make their legitimate purchase is charged each month for the unwanted service.

Avoid scams like this and be a smart online shopper by following a few simple tips:

• Turn on your pop-up blocker within your Web browser.
• If a pop-up box does open, only click the "x" box in the upper right-hand corner to close it.
• Only shop online with companies you know and trust.
• Check the Web site's privacy policy before submitting personal information.
• Ensure you are on a secure Web site by looking for a screen notice, a closed padlock or unbroken key icon, or a Web address that begins with "https".

You may have been contacted recently by a telephone phishing scam that appears to be from PEFCU. As part of this scam they ask you to enter your card account number. Remember, PEFCU representatives will not call you to ask for this information. If you are contacted by someone claiming to be a PEFCU employee, do not provide him/her with your card account number or security code.

Common telephone phishing scams appear to be from financial institutions and callers ask you for sensitive information (like your password, Social Security number, or credit card numbers). If you are contacted by someone claiming to be a PEFCU employee or other financial service representative from VISA or MasterCard, do not provide him/her with any personal information.

If you have fallen victim to one of these calls, please do the following:

• Contact a PEFCU representative at 765.497.3328 or 800.627.3328.
• Contact the Indiana Department of Financial Institutions at 800.382.4880.
• Contact your nearest law enforcement agency.

Recent public reports say a fraudulent e-mail is being sent that appears to be from legitimate airlines. The e-mail tells recipients to open an attachment to obtain an e-ticket. When recipients open the attachment, a virus is released on their computers.

Protect yourself from e-mail attacks such as this:

• Don't click on links or attachments provided in unsolicited e-mails.
• Install anti-virus software on your computer and keep it up to date.
• Use SPAM filters.

Some of our members have recently received an e-mail purportedly from the National Credit Union Administration regarding locking members' online accounts due to fraudulent activity. The e-mail instructs members to click a link in order to unlock their online accounts. Earlier this year, members reported receiving an e-mail claiming to be from the NCUA requesting the recipients confirm their debit and credit card information. The claim is that "some federal credit unions systems have been accessed by terrorist organization attackers."

PEFCU does not provide any specific member or account information to NCUA and there is no legitimate financial institution that would ever ask for information such as debit and credit card numbers. If you ever receive an e-mail such as this, please contact PEFCU before clicking any suspicious link, or before providing any financial or account information to an unknown source. It is always better to be extra cautious when it comes to your financial security.

If you received an e-mail that purported to be from CO-OP Network asking for cardholder information, please note that the e-mail was fraudulent. The CO-OP Network never contacts credit union members directly and never requests personal account information. The e-mail should be considered a deceitful attempt to obtain cardholder information with the intent of committing fraudulent activity your accounts.

CO-OP Financial Services has traced the site back and have taken the necessary steps to immediately shut it down. If confidential information has been provided, please take the appropriate necessary steps to prevent fraud.

If you recently responded to an e-mail like this, please immediately call the PEFCU Contact Center at 765.497.3328 or 800.627.3328.

According to the United Parcel Service (UPS), a fraudulent e-mail is being sent that appears to be from UPS. The e-mail tells recipients that a UPS shipment could not be delivered and they should open an attachment that contains a waybill for the shipment to be picked up. When recipients open the attachment, a virus is released.

UPS may send official notification e-mails, but rarely include attachments. If you receive a notification e-mail from UPS, you may confirm its authenticity by contacting customerservice@ups.com. Remember that you should not open questionable e-mail attachments from any sender. You should confirm authenticity when possible and delete the e-mail immediately if authenticity cannot be confirmed.

Checks that appear to be drawn from Purdue Employees Federal Credit Union (PEFCU) have surfaced in two recent sweepstakes scams.

Scam 1: FEXCO Global Award Inc., in collaboration with Ballot Sweepstakes, has issued false cashier's checks in the amount of $3,990. These false checks look like official PEFCU checks and are enclosed with a letter regarding winning a sweepstakes lump sum payout of $150,000. The letter asks the recipient to call a phone number immediately to avoid mistakes in processing the prize. A security code and reference number is provided in the letter.

Scam 2: JBJ Financial has issued false cashier's checks–made out for approximately $3,800–that look like legitimate PEFCU checks. The checks are accompanied by a letter regarding winning a lump sum payout of $500,000 from a sweepstakes. The letter asks the recipient to call a phone number by July 30 and wire funds back to JBJ Financial in order to receive the lump sum payout.

Anyone who receives a questionable check should contact Danna Puterbaugh in the PEFCU Risk Department at 765.497.3328 or 800.627.3328.

Recent reports indicate that text messages allegedly from PEFCU are being sent to PEFCU members. The text messages tell members that their PEFCU VISA® check cards have been compromised.

PEFCU will never communicate via text message regarding compromised cards. If cards are compromised, PEFCU will contact affected members through telephone calls and mailed letters. If you receive a text message purportedly from PEFCU about your card being compromised, please do not respond to the text message because it is fraudulent. Remember to never give out your account information to an unknown person and if you have questions, please contact PEFCU at 800.627.3328 or 765.497.3328.

Recently, a similar scam occurred where credit union members reported receiving text messages stating their credit union is deactivating or restricting their cards or accounts due to unusual activity. The messages ask members to call a number for reactivation. These messages are attempts to gain your personal account information. Remember that your credit union will never contact you by text-message or e-mail stating your card or account will be deactivated or restricted.

If you receive such a message claiming to be from PEFCU or any other credit union, do not respond using the telephone number provided in the message and never give out your account information over the phone. Contact your credit union using a trusted number—to reach PEFCU call 800.627.3328 or 765.427.3328.

Checks that appear to be drawn from LaSalle Bank, but include routing and account numbers for Purdue Employees Federal Credit Union (PEFCU) have surfaced in a Mystery Shopper Scam. Clearance Consumer Research has issued false checks in the approximate amount of $3,800. The checks are accompanied by a letter regarding part-time employment as a Mystery Shopper. The letter asks recipients to cash the check and to keep $500 for themselves, use $75 to purchase an electronic device, wire back $3,125, and use $150 to pay the wiring service charge.

In another very similar scam, checks that appear to be drawn from Purdue Employees Federal Credit Union (PEFCU) surfaced in a Secret Shopper Scam. Shadow Shopper has issued false cashier's checks that look like legitimate PEFCU checks–with correct routing and transit numbers. The checks are accompanied by a letter regarding employment as a secret shopper. The letter begins by stating the individual was selected to participate in a paid customer research program known as "Shadow Shopping". The letter asks recipients to spend the checks at selected shopping and wire transfer outlets and keep $300.00 as payment for service.

Anyone who receives a questionable check should contact Danna Puterbaugh in the PEFCU Risk Department at 765.497.3328.

Checks that appear to be drawn from Purdue Employees Federal Credit Union (PEFCU) have surfaced in a Power Ball Scam. Power Ball Inc. and North American Ballot Sweepstakes has issued false cashier's checks that look like legitimate PEFCU checks. The checks are accompanied by a letter regarding winning a lump sum payout from a sweepstakes. The letter asks the recipient to contact his/her assigned claim analyst and use a provided reference number to receive a check for the full earnings.

Anyone who receives a questionable check should contact Danna Puterbaugh in the PEFCU Risk Department at 765.497.3328 or 800.627.3328.

Checks that appear to be drawn from Purdue Employees Federal Credit Union (PEFCU) have surfaced in a financial payment scam. Assurance Credit Union Incorporated has issued false cashier's checks that look like legitimate PEFCU checks. The checks are accompanied by a letter regarding payment instructions received by their account clearance department. The letter asks the recipient to call a phone number to confirm receipt of the letter and enclosed check in the amount of $250,000.

Anyone who receives a questionable check should contact Danna Puterbaugh in the PEFCU Risk Department at 765.497.3328 or 800.627.3328.

The Indiana Credit Union League is warning residents in Indiana and on the east coast about the circulation of counterfeit cashier's checks. The counterfeit checks appear to be from Centra Credit Union in Columbus, Ind. The absence of pink US patent numbers under the signature indicates the checks are fraudulent. To verify the authenticity of a Centra Credit Union check, you may call 1.800.232.3642, or stop by a PEFCU branch.

Source: CUNA

On March 21, a server containing customer billing records for dozens of Indiana businesses, was stolen from Central Collection Bureau. Affected businesses including St. Vincent Health System, Methodist Medical Group, Citizen's Gas and more, were notified. The billing information belonged to customers with past-due bills that had been turned over for debt collection.

Individuals whose information may have been compromised should monitor their credit reports closely and file a consumer alert with the credit bureaus.

Source: Associated Press

If you received an e-mail that purported to be from CU Fraud Prevention Security Department telling members their accounts have been restricted and asking them to call an 877 phone number, please note that the e-mail was fraudulent. If PEFCU ever places a restriction on a member's account, we would have the member contact PEFCU directly at 765.497.3328 or 800.627.3328. We would never request members to contact an outside organization.

According to the Credit Union National Association (CUNA), e-mails purportedly from CUNA are circulating regarding a new service, "Your Credit Union Rewards You." The e-mails contain a link to collect a reward. The e-mails are fraudulent; neither CUNA nor CUNA Strategic Services offers a rewards service.

PEFCU members who have a PEFCU Visa® Check or Credit Card earn ScoreCard® Rewards Bonus Points for their purchases. ScoreCard Rewards information can be found at www.scorecardrewards.com.

Members of credit unions in Indiana—most from South Bend—recently had money fraudulently taken from their accounts from ATMs in oversees locations such as Russia, Ukraine, Nigeria and Spain. The withdrawals are not the result of any internal data breach and an investigation is underway. PEFCU is monitoring its members' accounts and will notify members if they are at risk; however, if you believe you have been the victim of this or another fraudulent activity, please contact PEFCU at 765.497.3328 or 800.627.3328.

Source: Associated Press

The Internal Revenue Service (IRS) is warning taxpayers to be alert for e-mail and telephone scams promoting advance payment checks using the IRS name. Scammers are using these e-mails and telephone calls to get individuals' personal information including Social Security numbers, bank account or credit card numbers.

Avoid being a victim of these scams by never providing your personal information via e-mail or telephone.

Source: Internal Revenue Service

Phishing scams are common and can take many forms. The common execution is via e-mail links to websites that appear to be from a financial institutions where you will be asked sensitive information (like you password, social security number, or credit card numbers). For more information on this, please read this PEFCU news article.

Recently, Members of Notre Dame Credit Union were the targets of a recent online phishing scam designed to capture members' debit card and pin numbers. The members received an e-mail with a link to a Web page identical to the credit union's. PEFCU members have not been targeted for this scam, but are reminded to never give out their credit or debit card information over the phone or via e-mail. Members can also ensure they are on the PEFCU Web site by typing www.purdueefcu.com directly into their Web browsers and going through the multiple authentication process to log into their accounts.

PEFCU Cardholder Phishing Attempts

Attempt 1: Members have reported receiving an e-mail request from PEFCU to "complete an account update so we can unlock your account" by calling a toll-free number, and a telephone call offering to lower. This e-mail is NOT from PEFCU and we believe it is an attempt to snag your personal cardholder information. Do not respond to this e-mail.

Attempt 2: Members have reported receiving automated telephone calls purportedly from PEFCU offering to lower their current credit card rates. The callers request members to provide their credit card numbers after selecting "1" to lower their rate.

Remember, PEFCU would never ask for your card number and/or expiration date by e-mail or by phone. If you recently responded to an e-mail suspected to be from PEFCU, please call the PEFCU Contact Center at 765.497.3328 or 800.627.3328 or e-mail a PEFCU representative at mbrservice@purdueefcu.com.

Social Security/Medical Card Telephone Scam

Indiana Attorney General Steve Carter is warning residents about a new telephone scam that seeks to obtain their financial account number, social security number and other personal identification information. Callers tell victims that new Social Security cards or free medical cards are being sent and personal information must be verified. If you receive such a call, you should not provide any of your personal information to the caller. Hang up and report the call to the Indiana Attorney General's Consumer Fraud Division at 1.800.382.5516 or www.in.gov/attorneygeneral.

Source: Frost Illustrated

Child ID theft is a growing financial problem.

According to the Federal Trade Commission, identity theft reports for victims under 18 years old increased from 6,512 in 2003 to 10,835 in 2006 representing 5 percent of all identity thefts. The report lists teens as particularly vulnerable because of their increased access to the internet. One concern is that the identity theft may go unnoticed until many years later, when the victim becomes an adult and applies for a credit card. Authorities say that often the crime is committed by the children's own parents or relatives, who apply for credit using the child's social security number.

These crimes can go unreported because victims who do eventually discover the crimes do not seek legal ramifications against loved ones. The vice president of public education at Experian, one of the three major credit bureaus, advises parents to "monitor their child's online activity; do not ignore the junk mail the child receives; if they sign up their child for a magazine subscription to put it under their name; and do not let children keep their Social Security cards in their wallets." Moreover, if parents suspect their children's identity was stolen, they should check immediately to see if a credit file was created on their child.

Source: STLtoday.com

Fake check scams are becoming more common and can cost you a lot of money! Most commonly, these scams are targeted at people who are selling something via advertisement (online, newspaper, etc). These scammers often say he/she is from another country, claiming difficult/complicated money sending. The scammer will then tell you that someone in the US who owes them money will send you a check--often it will be for more than the sale price of the good for sale. Then, the scammer will ask you to keep your share of the money and to wire the rest to the scammer. The checks may look real; but they are fake! Do not deposit these checks!

This scam has different variations, common ones are: work from home jobs and sweepstakes winnings "advance".

You are responsible for checks you deposit, so if you feel you may have a check from one of these scams report it immediately to the National Fraud Information Center, 800-876-7060, http://www.fraud.org.

Some helpful Web sites with more information:

• www.fakechecks.org
• www.fraud.org
• www.ftc.gov

The most recent telemarketing scam involves automated telephone solicitation calls where the automated attendant states there is a "problem with your credit card", encouraging you to press a number to speak to a live person who can help you with the "problem with your credit card". When call recipients press the number the automated attendant provides, the call is forwarded to a live person who then asks if you are waiting to speak to someone to lower your credit card APR, extending your credit line, etc. At this point, the caller will try to sell some type of credit line product.

Although Indiana does have a Telephone Privacy Law which protects consumers from unwanted sales calls, we have received reports of telephone solicitations made to households that are on the Indiana No Call List.

This type of call violates the No Call Provision of the Indiana Telephone Privacy Act. Such calls should be reported to the Attorney General. Visit http://telephoneprivacy.inatg.us/ or call 800-382-5516 to report this type of call activity or to add your phone number to the No Call registry.

From Visa U.S.A. Inc.

Consumers are advised to be on alert for a new identity theft exploit known as the "Jury Duty Scam." In this scam, the fraudster telephones his/her victim posing as a local court official who claims the victim has failed to report for jury duty, and as a result, a warrant has been issued for their arrest. The victim will rightly claim they never received any jury duty notifications. To "clear things up," the fraudster then asks for confidential information (i.e., social security number, birth date) for "verification" purposes or payment information (i.e., credit card number, bank account details) for alleged fines.

This is a scam! Consumers are urged not to give any personal information over the phone! These fraudseters are attempting to commit identity theft by appealing to the victim's sense of social conscience and fear of prosecution.

Web scammers are turning to online property forums to collect personal information about users for later attempts to swindle them out of money. Renters and buyers often post phone numbers, instant messenger nicknames, and e-mail addresses on forums along with specific descriptions of the kind of property they're looking for. This makes it easy for scammers to write proposals that will elicit further information.

The scammer then contacts the property seeker, offering them a similar property to what they have described, complete with photos. The potential victim is also often asked a range of other personal questions, such as their occupation, marital status, and even if they have a pet. But there's a catch: the scammer usually asks for a deposit before the seeker can see the property. The requested deposit is usually below market price, another way the scammer tries to lure the victim. The e-mail pitches are similar to the so-called 419 scams, which offer some greater reward in exchange for money in advance.

From ScamBusters.org

If you want to be sure you're not the next victim of a foreign lottery scam, here are five tips:

• First of all, playing any kind of cross-border lottery system is a violation of Federal law, and law enforcement officials ARE paying attention. IOW, it's illegal. Don't do it!
• You can't win a prize in a lottery if you didn't buy a lottery ticket.
• Real lotteries don't ask you to pay a fee. If you have to write a check to win a lottery prize, it's a scam. IOW, never, ever send any money for 'processing fees,' or share any other financial information, in order to claim a prize.
• Never fill out any prize forms or 'claims' either through snail mail or online -- you may end up on scammers' 'sucker' lists as a result, which means you'll just get more solicitations.
• Don't believe -- or pay for -- any 'secret systems' that will help you win lotteries. If someone really had a foolproof secret system to win lotteries, why would they sell it to you?