FRAUD ALERT! Vishing Scam


As consumers become more aware of the email "Phishing" scams used by crooks to trick people into giving them their confidential account information by clicking on links in the messages they send, criminals have come up with a new way to defraud unsuspecting consumers.

"Vishing"", a term that is a combination of "voice" and "phishing", is a type of scam that uses a trusted method of communication that consumers are familiar and comfortable with - the telephone. There are several variations on the scam, but the basic outline is the scammer contacts the consumer either by recorded phone message or by email and directs them to call a certain number or go to a certain web site address to update, verify, activate, or re-activate their account. The phone numbers used look genuine and the message appears to be coming from a call center.

Legitimate financial institutions like banks and credit unions do not request personal information from their members by email or telephone-they already have that information. If you receive an email message or telephone call that requests that you enter your personal information do not respond to it. Instead, contact the financial institution or credit card company directly using the contact information you already have. Do not under any circumstances use the contact information included in the phone call or email.

MCU will never contact you by email or telephone to ask for your personal information (Account Number, PIN Number, Social Security Number, etc.). This includes requests for information to update, confirm, re-activate or prevent de-activation of any of your accounts or credit cards. If you think your MCU accounts have been compromised, report it to our Fraud Department by filling out and submitting a Fraud Investigation Form.