Fraud Prevention Center - Phone Scams
Phone scams involve any number of enticements in order for you to provide your private banking account information.
How to spot a scam - free travel vouchers, store gift cards, and grant funds the US government is giving away free
These enticements include free travel vouchers, store gift cards, and grant funds the US government is giving away free. In all cases, once you provide your banking account information instead of getting something free, your account is debited with an unauthorized phone draft.
90-day protection - What Can Happen to Your Account
You should be aware that while you have 90 days to return this draft at no cost to you, your account will need to be closed to prevent future unauthorized drafts from posting. Unfortunately these companies typically generate multiple drafts for different amounts using different company names so a stop payment is not effective.
Vishing/Smishing - phone calls or text messages from what seems to be a "legitimate" company
Other types of phone scams are “vishing” and “smishing” which is similar to “phishing” emails but is done through the phone. Vishing involves a phone call that appears to be coming from a legitimate company based on the caller ID you see but unfortunately the caller ID is fake. Smishing is another version but done thru the phone via text messages. The sender provides an urgent reason for obtaining your private data, either credit card data including the security code from the back or your social security number. Typically vishing scams request you to enter this information via the touch pad of your phone but instead of going to a legitimate call center, the information is provided to a fraudster in order to commit identity theft or initiate unauthorized debits. With smishing scams you may be provided a phone number or you may be requested to click on a link that could contain malicious code or may direct you to a fraudulent website.
If you receive such a call or text message, contact the company back at a known phone number (for example from the phone book - do not use the number on your caller ID).
What to Do if You Need Help
You can also help stop some of these calls by registering your phone number with the National Do Not Call Registry at http://www.donotcall.gov or by phone at 1-888-382-1222.
If you feel you are or may be a victim of a phone scam, visit any branch or call our Member Contact Center toll free at 1-888-786-2791.
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