We’ve all heard about cybercrimes, and either been a victim or know a victim of an attack. Unfortunately, these criminals are sneaky and can trick their victims into falling for their fraudulent schemes. Cybercriminals will use fear, concern, urgency and creditable sources to their advantage. The most recent tactic they’re using is consumers’ concerns about energy costs to lure victims. These scams can offer rebates, refunds, or discounts for energy bills to appeal to the current rising costs.

How are they attacking?

Cybercriminals will send you an email offering a refund on your latest energy bill. This email includes a link to a website; there, you are asked to fill in personal information, such as your bank account information, to receive the refund.

 

What should you do? 

Do NOT click on the link! If you receive an email from an unknown source or a known source and the email is questionable, listen to your gut, don’t click on any links and double-check that it’s a legitimate email. If it seems too good to be true, it probably is.

Do NOT give anyone your personal bank account information! Although we understand that there are times when filling in your account information is necessary, we encourage you to be extra cautious when doing so; usually, when this occurs, you are aware of who is receiving this information.

 

Always remember to pause, ask questions and confirm before clicking any links.

 

Also, know how we will contact you:

• How you will know it is Progressions Credit Union calling you:

• • We will NOT ask you for your online banking password
  • We will NOT ask you for your social security number
  • We will NOT ask you for your date of birth
  • We will NOT ask you for your card numbers
• How you will know if Falcon (our debit card/credit card fraud manager) is calling on our behalf:
  • They will NOT ask for your SSN, DOB or card numbers
  • It will be an automated call asking the cardholder to confirm card charges after the cardholder is verified. If card charges are not recognized, you will be redirected to a person.
  • They will NOT ask for the CVC number (the three digits on the back of a card)
  • They will NOT ask you to access your accounts on the computer while on the phone with you.
  • They will NEVER access your computer, laptop or phone.

Other suggestions:

•  Card Transaction Activation: We strongly suggest turning on card notifications that will alert you when your card has been used. This will allow you to keep track of all transactions that are made on your cards. If an alert gets sent and you did not make that transaction you will be able to quickly respond by contacting us and freezing your card so that a scammer can’t access your money anymore.

• • • You are able to turn on alerts for your debit card through our app.
    • You can sign up for our visa credit card alerts at https://usa.visa.com/pay-with-visa/featured-technologies/purchase-alerts.html.
• NEVER give out sensitive information over the phone, through email or text messaging.
• Get protection through ID SafeChoice, a service we offer our members, offering added protection from ID Theft. Enroll in a plan that will protect you here.
• Create complex passwords. Complex means not an actual word, use of letters, numbers and symbols and long. You should have different passwords for different programs. Change them often.
• Avoid using public WiFi. As an example, an airport is a prime place for hackers to attempt to get into your phone and laptop as they are not secure.

 

At Progressions Credit Union we take security seriously and will continue to monitor our systems closely and ask you also be cautious and report any suspicious phishing attempts to us.

To report anything suspicious, you can call us at 800-828-8691.