NCUA Text Message Scam Alert

The National Credit Union Association (NCUA) has alerted us about a text messaging scam circulating that targets credit union members. We want to be sure you know how to identify this scam so that you can protect yourself and your accounts.

 

How the scam works

Fraudsters send text messages that appear to come from the NCUA to consumers’ cell phones. The text message may say you have a negative account balance or that there is a discrepancy with your account and urges you to call a phone number. If you call the number, the scammers ask for your personal and account information, and possibly even your PIN number. Another version of this scam is that the perpetrators will attempt to trick recipients into transferring money into phony accounts, typically overseas.

 

The NCUA does not seek personal information through the internet or on the telephone. Any texts or emails received by the NCUA asking for personal information should be considered fraudulent.

 

Protect yourself

It’s good practice to never respond to unsolicited text messages, email messages, or telephone calls – particularly those that ask for your personal information or money. Such messages should be deleted and then removed; perpetrators have been known to use these messages to install spyware or malware on PCs and mobile devices.

 

In addition, you should never provide account numbers, Social Security numbers or any personal information to strangers. If you are not sure who is contacting you, don’t give out your information.

 

If you receive a message from the NCUA and you believe it to be fraudulent, contact NCUA’s Consumer Assistance Center at (800) 755-1030 between 8 a.m. and 5 p.m. Eastern. It is also recommended that credit union members contact their credit union, local law enforcement or the Internet Crime Complaint Center, a partnership between the Federal Bureau of Investigation and the National White Collar Crime Center.

 

If you are unsure if a text or email message is from 1st United or if you feel your 1st United account information has been compromised, please contact us immediately at (800) 649-0193 so that we may assist you.