University of Michigan Credit Union: Phone Scams

Security Tip
UMCU will never contact you asking for account information via text messaging or e-mail. If you are unsure of the legitimacy of the contact, please call UMCU at 734-662-8200 and talk with a Member Service Representative for verification.

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Phishing Attempts Via Text Messaging

Phishing is a scam that seeks to steal personal information, credit card numbers, passwords, Social Security numbers, and other sensitive data by luring victims in by using a fake e-mail address, website, and pop-up to impersonate your financial institution and con members into disclosing personal data.

Examples of "Phishing Attempts Via Text Messaging":

Account Update Scam

Members have reported receiving a text message claiming to be from UMCU asking them to update their account information. Do not respond to the text message or provide account information. Please remember that UMCU would never ask about your account information via e-mail or text messaging.

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Impersonation Scams

Impersonation fraud occurs when someone assumes the identity of a trusted figure such as government official or financial institute and tricks the victim into providing personal information, credit card numbers, or bank account information. The victim may be approach by different medias, but most commonly by telephone or e-mail.

Examples of "Impersonation Scams"

IRS Scam

The Internal Revenue Service (IRS) issued a warning that thieves are posing as the IRS in order to gather personal financial information from the public. The IRS does not ask for personal identifying or financial information via unsolicited e-mail, telephone calls, or text messaging. Here's how it works. You may receive a message describing a situation that requires you to enter your personal financial information to resolve the "problem." For example:

You are being audited and must fill out information online.

A caller claims your IRS refund was mailed but the check wasn't cashed. You are asked to verify financial information.

What can you do? Contact the IRS at 800-829-1040 to determine if the IRS is trying to contact you regarding a tax refund. Also, do not open any attachments to suspicious e-mail since they could contain malicious code that could infect your computer.

Jury Duty Scam

The FBI is reporting that a growing number of people are receiving fraudulent phone calls in which a person claiming to be a jury coordinator threatens the person taking the call with arrest for failing to respond to a summons for jury duty. When the recipients protest that they were never contacted, the scammer asks for a Social Security number and date of birth to verify the information and cancel the arrest warrant. The callers often claim there is a fine involved in failing to respond - which can be paid over the phone by providing a Visa or MasterCard number.

Auto Dialer Scam

The auto dialer scam involves a recording claiming to be from the security department of CO-OP and they need the member to reactivate or activate their card and PIN. It then asks them to enter the card number on the phone pad. These calls are happening at all times of the day and night, as one member reported they received a call at 1:00am.

UMCU would never ask a member for a card number. And while we utilize the CO-OP ATM network, CO-OP does not have any of our member's information or card numbers and would never contact a member directly.

Telephone Scam

A member reported receiving a phone call from a woman claiming to be from UMCU. She told the member that she could get a better interest rate on her credit card if the member provided her credit card number and her personal information.

UMCU will never contact you asking for credit card information via telephone, text messaging, or email.

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