E-mail Scam Alert

Updated: November 28, 2007

We are experiencing reports from both members and non-members about receiving fraudulent e-mails. The messages have subject lines that refer to credit card validation.

These e-mails were NOT sent by Virginia Credit Union.

REMEMBER:
Virginia Credit Union will never ask you to provide, update or verify personal or account information through unsolicited e-mail, such as:

• Social security number
• Member number
• Credit or debit card numbers
• Personal Identification Number (PIN)
• Home Banking Logon ID or password

Scam artists are using many different techniques to trick consumers into providing their personal or account information, so please be cautious. Some examples of fraudulent e-mails include but are not limited to:

• E-mails that ask you to fill out a survey and to provide your credit or debit card number to receive a deposit
• E-mails that warn that your account information may have been compromised and that your account may be frozen or closed
• E-mails that say you have a message within Home Banking and ask you to login to Home Banking to read it

If you receive a suspicious e-mail using the Virginia Credit Union name or logo:

• DO NOT follow the instructions in the message.
• DO NOT click on the link in the message.
• DO NOT enter any information.
• FORWARD the message to us at reportabuse@vacu.org
• DELETE the message from your mailbox.

If you provided any personal or account information in response to a fraudulent e-mail, immediately contact your financial institution to report your account information as stolen.

Home Banking Users
Some of these messages provide a link that points to a phony web site that resemble the Home Banking site.

• If you provided your Home Banking Logon ID or Security Code (password), please change them immediately. Log into Home Banking using the link on our web site, go to the Options section of Home Banking navigation, select Personal Information, then choose 'Change Logon ID' or 'Change Security Code' from the menu at the top of the page.
• Always look for the Enhanced Authentication features to be sure you are on the legitimate Home Banking site
• Remember, Virginia Credit Union does not send internet e-mails about having messages within Home Banking

View a variety of resources to learn more about security and online safety, including how to recognize a phishing scam e-mail.