Here's a Quick Read on Various Forms of Identity Theft

Criminals may try to get your personal financial details by claiming to be from your financial institution or credit card company. In addition, the easy access provided by the Internet brings some entirely new and unwelcome risks from cyber cheats. The biggest risk is that personal data can be stolen, corrupted, or misused by an Internet intruder stealing or tampering with your information; all the time hiding their unauthorized activity.

Identity Theft comes in many forms.

• An ATM swallows your card for no apparent reason. This is a well-known scam where a plastic slip is placed inside the ATM to hold onto your card. A 'passer-by' sees that you are experiencing problems and tells you to re-enter your PIN so they can see your PIN when you re-enter it. When you leave the ATM, they remove the plastic slip with your card inside from the ATM.
• This is an extremely common "Phishing" scam. You get an email or letter that asks you to click on a website and confirm your bank account details, PIN number or credit card number, mother's maiden name, etc.,
• An email says that your account will be "frozen", or "de-activated" if you do not follow email instructions.
• You get a letter from an organization you have never dealt with before. The letter says that they have money for you from the sale of shares or a lottery win. It asks you for your bank account details so they can lodge the money. Sometimes you also get a phone call after you receive the letter.
• Your card is taken by a store clerk out of sight to a card terminal elsewhere where your personal details are copied.
• Criminals may try to get your personal financial details by claiming to be from your bank, credit union or credit card company. They may phone or email you saying that there has been a 'security breach' on your account and ask you to confirm your bank account details, your personal identification number (PIN) or your Internet or phone-banking registration numbers.

IF you are ever contacted by someone claiming to be from your bank, credit union or credit card company, REMEMBER....THEY initiated the contact. NOT you. If they ask YOU to disclose or confirm sensitive, personal information of ANY kind, chances are, they are scammers. Don't give ANY information under any circumstances. Most every financial institution or credit card company never contacts their customers in this manner. They already have your information in their records and don't need to confirm anything over the phone or online with you. If you want to check if a call or email is legitimate, phone your bank at the number you normally use, or the number on your statement. DO NOT call a number or or use an e-mail address provided within an email or by a caller.

Tips to help protect yourself from scams

• NEVER enter your personal information on a website that is sent to you as a link in an email. That website could be created by scammers to get your information.
• Regularly check the transactions on your bank and credit card statements. If you notice anything that you are unsure about, report it to your bank, credit union or credit card company immediately.
• Protect your personal financial details by memorizing them rather than writing them down, storing them in your cell phone or sharing them with anyone.
• Tear up, shred or burn any receipts or statements that show your full card number or PIN.
• When you pay with your credit or debit card, don't let your card out of your sight, particularly when you are abroad.
• Credit cards can be copied in just a few seconds. If the card terminal is not nearby, ask to go with the staff member to the terminal.
• If your card is lost or stolen, report it to your card issuer immediately.
• Do not delay in reporting the loss, as you could be held liable for any fraudulent transactions that occur before you make the report.
• Never reply to an email or telephone number that asks you to confirm your personal information, PIN number or credit card details.
• Report the email to your bank or credit card company.
• Watch for camera cell phones. Be cautious when you are around strangers who have them, as they are capable of taking pictures or video and have been used to capture personal information.
• Do not write down your PIN or give it to anyone. many banks allow you to change your PIN so you can easily remember it.
• ALWAYS cover the keypad with your hand while you enter your PIN.
• If your card has been swallowed by an ATM for no apparent reason, contact the ATM owner immediately or as soon as possible. If your card is swallowed because you have entered the wrong PIN three times, then you should contact your bank.
• Regularly check the transactions on your bank and credit card statements.
• Sign your cards as soon as you receive them and cut up your old cards when they expire.
• Destroy, by tearing up or burning, any receipts or statements that show your full card number. Most retailers' receipts just show the last four digits of your card, but you should check before you throw them away.
• When you pay for goods or services with your credit card, don't let your card out of your sight, particularly when you are abroad.
• Credit cards can be copied in just a few seconds. So if the card terminal is not nearby, ask to go with the staff member to the terminal to complete the transaction.

An Important Message From KALSEE Credit Union

KALSEE Credit Union actively promotes ways to prevent Identity Fraud. While you are on line, you are susceptible to many different types of fraudulent activity.

Phishing Scams
"Phishing" is one of the most common scam tactics currently used on the Internet and is particularly dangerous because the intent of the scam artist is to lure victims into revealing valuable personal info with very convincing e-mail letters.

Scammers e-mail you an official looking letter informing you that your account may be closed or deleted if you do not "update" your personal or account information. They place a link within the e-mail that leads to a fake website. Beware. These websites look identical to the real website. (ex. eBay or PayPal)

The boxes for entering account or personal information on that fake website are there for one purpose; THEY WANT YOUR PRIVATE INFORMATION. So, DO NOT click on any link(s) inside these e-mails. Delete them immediately.

PLEASE REMEMBER THESE IMPORTANT POINTS ABOUT "PHISHING" SCAMS:

• KALSEE Credit Union OR ANY OTHER CREDIT UNION RELATED INSTITUTION, such as NCUA (sample phishing image below), will NEVER
  e-mail you asking you to update your personal account information.
• DO NOT click links provided in an e-mail requesting any form of updating your personal or financial information.
• Call us during regular business hours and ask for verification before responding to any form of electronic solicitation or correspondence alleging to be from KALSEE. Toll Free (877) KALSEE1 or (269) 382-7800

This is a Screen Shot of an Actual Phishing Scam E-Mail