Western Union Mystery Shopper Check Scam

Letters and counterfeit Belvoir Federal bank checks are being mailed out to people across the country. The letter gives people information on how to carry out a Western Union shopper job. THIS IS A SCAM. The check is counterfeit and should not be cashed or the funds wired.

The letter instructs people to deposit the check and wire the money, using Western Union, to a person and location named in the letter. The locations vary, but have been to the U.S. and other countries. The dollar amounts of the checks vary.

For the protection and safety of your account, we ask that you contact us if you have experienced this issue. Simply call us at 703.730.1800 and we will work to resolve the issue.

For more information regarding this scam, please visit the Western Union Site.

LinkedIn Security Breach:

On Wednesday, June 6, 2012, LinkedIn was hacked and 6.5 million user’s passwords were posted online. Reports of phishing emails sent to LinkedIn users have been mounting. The emails inform users of the security breach, and asks them to click through to change their LinkedIn password. Advice from experts is to delete such email unread. The official LinkedIn blog offers detailed instructions on how to change passwords – but if in doubt about the authenticity of such emails, just delete them.

An easy way to change a LinkedIn password is go to the site; in the search box in the top right corner, enter CHANGE PASSWORD. You’ll be asked to log in. Then follow the simple directions.

Helping Congress Create Jobs

Help Congress create jobs without costing taxpayers a dime. Take a look at this bill, which should come before the Senate mid-April. Please ask your Senators to support S. 2231.

Let Us Know Before You Go On Your Next Trip

Belvoir Federal Credit Union participates in a Fraud Protection system that monitors your Debit MasterCard transaction. Spending outside your normal geographical area, unusaual and excessive use of a card, or transactions done in a foreign country could trigger a fraud alert on your account. As a result, your debit catd service may be interrupted for your security.

For the protection and safety of your account, we ask that you contact us if you are traveling out of state or to a foreign country. Simply call us at 703.730.1800 and we will ensure your service remains uninterrupted. Thank you and happy travels.

Intelligence Notice for Internet Crime Compliant Center

The 2010 Census is underway and you may be wondering about whom you can trust. The Census is easy, important, and safe — just fill out your form and mail it back. The IC3 and the Better Business Bureau (BBB), a 2010 Census partner, are encouraging participation in the 2010 Census while cautioning consumers to get the facts. Click here to read more.

NCUA does not provide “refunds” and will typically not contact members directly.

There has recently been emails sent from an individual claiming to be the NCUA. In the email, they are stating that the recipient is eligible for a refund. NCUA does not handle tax refunds of any kind. Any communication of this kind should be reported to NCUA [email protected] and file a complaint with the FBI’s Internet Crime Complaint Center (IC3) at www.ic3.gov.

Belvoir Federal does not ask for credit card data to verify an online log in.

AUSTIN, Texas – Security experts are monitoring credit unions for a so-called “zeusbot” attack, which is bypassing many anti-virus and malware scanning software used by credit union members, putting their personal financial jeopardy when they log on to their home banking service. “All credit unions should provide a warning and information to their members,” according to a new alert issued by the CU Information Security Professionals Association. The zuesbot waits for the user to log in to their online banking, logs the credentials, and then offers a screen that asks the user to further verify their login by entering their credit card data. All information gathered is sent to the attackers. CUISPA noted that “while some users may be skeptical and not enter their data, the damage is already done. The online banking credentials have been compromised.” In cases where members report activity, CUISPA said credit unions’ only recourse is to have members shut down, wipe and reload their PC, while the CU changes account passwords. The association, which monitors such security threats, said it has identified “dozens of cases throughout the country.”

Source: Credit Union Journal Daily Briefing | Monday, January 11, 2010

Credit Card Accountability, Responsibility and Disclosure, or Credit CARD Act of 2009

The President recently signed into law the Credit CARD Act of 2009. The new law seeks to enhance consumer protections for credit card holders, but will not significantly impact your account with your Credit Union. This law improves consumer disclosures and protections. For a complete review of the major benefits of this new law, visit www.bankrate.com/finance/credit-cards If you have any questions about these changes or your Belvoir Federal Visa® Account, please contact us.

NCUA Insurance Notice

National Credit Union Association (NCUA) increases retirement insurance coverage. For more information, please click here for a Brochure.

Account Notice

When providing your account number to a company to make a payment or a deposit, please use your account number as it appears on your checks or as it appears on your statement. If you use your account number as it appears on your statements, you will need to indicate where the funds are coming from either savings or checking.

Update Current Mailing Address Notice

In order to help protect your account information, it is important to keep your contact information updated with Belvoir Federal Credit Union. To update your address, simply log on to Belvoir Online Banking (BOB), then select Change Your Contact Information under Other Options. You can also fax your signed change of address request to 703.730.1410.

Security Notice

For security and privacy purposes, we can no longer provide account balance information over the phone. Obtain your account information by using BelTel, Belvoir Online Banking (BOB), or at any Belvoir ATM.

VISA International Transactions

Belvoir Federal would like to remind our members that when a purchase is made in a foreign country, the transaction amount is converted to U.S. dollars and adjusted by a 1% currency conversion fee. When the transaction is posted to your account, the total amount (purchase amount plus conversion fee) appears as a single transaction on your billing statement. On April 2, 2005, the converted transaction amount started showing separately from the International Transaction Fee on your billing statement. This fee is assessed on all international purchases, credit vouchers, and cash disbursements and is labeled International Transaction Fee 1%.

On April 2, 2005, the exchange rate for transactions in foreign currency is a rate selected by Visa from the range of rates available in wholesale currency markets for the applicable central processing date, which may vary from the rate Visa itself receives, or the government mandated rate in effect for the applicable central processing date, plus the 1% International Transaction Fee.

Our Spring 2005 Newsletter indicated this Visa Foreign ATM Transaction Fee. Effective immediately, we will be assessing the 1% fee for all foreign transactions done with DEBIT or ATM cards. We would like to reassure you that this is not a new fee simply a different way of processing it.

MasterCard Cross-border Fee Reminder

In April 2006, MasterCard implemented the separation of the Cross-Border and Currency Conversion Assessment fees on all international transactions. The Cross-Border fee of .80 of 1% of the transaction amount is assessed on all international purchases, credit vouchers, and cash disbursements and is labeled on your statement as the “MasterCard Cross-Border Fee.” This fee is assessed to all foreign transactions, regardless of whether they were originated in foreign currencies, or US currency. The Currency Conversion Assessment fee is a second fee, and is assessed on all international purchases, credit vouchers, and cash disbursements done in foreign currency. It also appears on your statement as a “MasterCard Cross-Border Fee.” The exchange rate for transactions in foreign currency is a rate selected by MasterCard from the range of rates available in wholesale currency markets for the applicable central processing date, which may vary from the rate MasterCard itself receives, or the government mandated rate in effect for the applicable central processing date, plus the .20 (of 1% of the transaction amount) Currency Conversion Fee.

Belvoir Federal will be passing through the applicable fees for all foreign transactions that are processed by MasterCard or one of its network affiliates. We would like to reassure you that this is not a new fee simply a different way of processing. Please contact us.

Please click here for more information about safeguarding your information.

Phishing Notice

Belvoir Federal would like to assure you that Belvoir Federal Credit Union does not ask for personal information (Social Security Number, PIN, ATM, or CheckCard numbers) Online. We also have no Online way to re-activate BOB (Belvoir Online Banking) using your CheckCard information if your account has been locked.

If you have responded to a similar email/phone call and provided any confidential account information, please notify us immediately. We will help you determine the best way to protect your information and the funds in your account.

Risk Alert – Phishing, Smishing, and Vishing: What is the Difference?

Fake check consumer education brought to you by Consumer Federation of America

Belvoir Federal Credit Union is participating in the fake check consumer education project that Consumer Federation of America is conducting in Virginia in partnership with the state Attorney General and Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services, the VA Credit Union League, and the VA Bankers Association.

To help support this effort, Belvoir Federal will have the “Don’t Become a Target” brochures in our branches for your convenience. For more information about this education piece, please visit the CFA’s Web site at www.consumerfed.org/fakecheckscams You will find online versions of the brochure, one in English and one in Spanish, and a new PowerPoint presentation that we have developed to show consumers, as well as other materials that we previously produced about fake check scams.

The goal with educating consumers is to provide consumers with the critical information they need at the point where they may unwittingly be about to become fraud victims.

Please note our main phone numbers:

Local	703.730.1800
Metro Washington, DC	703.551.0001
Toll-Free (outside 703 and 202 area codes)	1.888.503.2328
Credit Card Activation	1.888.691.8661
Lost/Stolen Credit Card 24-hour Account Information	1.888.4ATIRA1 (428.4721)
Signature-based CheckCard Transactions	1.800.234.5354
PIN-based CheckCard Transactions	1.866.750.9107

Please click here for more information about safeguarding your information.

Phishing Calls

It has been reported that an increase in phishing calls have been attempted. Cardholders are being contacted and told that their account has been blocked followed by the prompt asking the cardholder for additional account information.

Cardholders should not respond to these attempts to gather account information. However, if you have experienced a similar call where you disclosed account information, please contact Belvoir Federal Credit Union immediately and report the issue by calling 703.730.1800.

The two phone numbers associated with the attacks are: 909-509-4091 and 866-407-1617.

Fraud Alert – Infected laptops at hotels

The FBI recently reported that fraudsters are targeting travelers, both domestically and abroad through pop-up windows while they are establishing an Internet connection in their hotel rooms.

The report cites instances where a traveler’s laptop was infected with malicious software while using hotel Internet connections. In these instances, the traveler was attempting to set up the hotel room Internet connection and was presented with a pop-up window notifying the user to update a widely used software product. If the user clicked to accept and install the update, malicious software was installed on the laptop. The pop-up window appeared to be offering a routine update to a legitimate software product for which updates are frequently available.

The FBI recommends that all individuals who travel take extra caution before updating software products through their hotel Internet connection. Checking the author or digital certificate of any prompted update to see if it corresponds to the software vendor may reveal an attempted attack. The FBI also recommends that travelers perform software updates on laptops immediately before traveling, and that they download software updates directly from the software vendor’s website if updates are necessary. Anyone who believes they have been a target of this type of attack should immediately contact their local FBI office and promptly report it to the IC3’s website at www.IC3.gov. The IC3’s complaint database links complaints together to refer them to the appropriate law enforcement agency for case consideration. The complaint information is also used to identify emerging trends and patterns.

Scam Letter Purportig to be from DFAS (Defense Finance and Accounting Service)

A letter is making making the rounds purporting to be from DFAS asking military member’s fiancées to register in the DFAS system entitling them to benefits in the event of the member’s death. All for only a $350 fee. This statement and letter is not true. It’s not a DFAS letter; it’s a scam. Please let your fellow Soldiers, Sailors, Airmen, Marines and families know the score. The letter is a typical scam phishers use to try and obtain your personal information and, in this case, money.

DFAS policy: DFAS will not send unsolicited email messages with attachments or letters asking for money to pay for a benefit. Customers who receive messages they believe to be attempts to get their personal information should take precautions against criminals wishing to gain access to their computers or those hoping to fool them into providing valuable personal information.

Please remember Belvoir Federal does not share your information with anyone that is not affiliated with our credit union. If you have concerns about this scam, please feel free to contact us through our regular means – 703.730.1800, [email protected], or visit your local branch.

NACHA Phishing Alert – Electronic Payments Association (2/22/11)

NACHA — The Electronic Payments Association has received reports that individuals and/or companies have received a fraudulent email that has the appearance of having been sent from NACHA and signed by a non-existent NACHA employee. Specifically, this email claims to be from the “Electronic Payments Association” and appears to be coming from the email address “[email protected].”

Be aware that phishing emails frequently have attachments and/or links to Web pages that host malicious code and software. Do not open attachments or follow Web links in unsolicited emails from unknown parties or from parties with whom you do not normally communicate, or that appear to be known but are suspicious or otherwise unusual.

NACHA itself does not process nor touch the ACH transactions that flow to and from organizations and financial institutions. NACHA does not send communications to individuals or organizations about individual ACH transactions that they originate or receive. Be alert for different variations of fraudulent emails.

Please remember Belvoir Federal does not share your information with anyone that is not affiliated with our credit union. If you have concerns about this scam, please feel free to contact us through our regular means – 703.730.1800, [email protected], or visit your local branch.

Payday Loan Telephone Collection Scams (12/10/10)

The FBI recently reported a high volume of complaints of payday loan telephone collection scams. According to the FBI, the extent of personal information that the fraudsters have on a particular person is a mystery as to how it was obtained. However, once these scam artists have the SS#, DOB, address, employer information, and possibly account numbers, they call the victim and tell them they are delinquent on a payday loan. Then, they are urged to immediately pay off the loan before legal action is taken. The fraudster claims to be working for law enforcement, collecting on behalf of the internet check cashing service, and their attempt is to instill fear in the victim by intimidation. For more information on this matter, visit www.fbi.gov/scams-safety/e-scams

Telephone Scams (11/22/10)

Recently, Credit Unions in the Midwest have reported that their members are receiving telephone calls from people posing as employees of Visa or MasterCard in an effort to “phish” for personal information. The scam has a person calling members and posing as a Security Officer from Visa or MasterCard. The fraudster already has the credit card number at the time of the call and requests specific details about the individual’s credit card, advising that there has been some reported suspicious activity on their particular card. To verify that the card has not been stolen, the member is requested to provide their three digit number on the back of the card.

Visa and MasterCard are not making these calls and if your membership is contacted by someone saying they work for Visa or MasterCard, do not provide any information requested. The member should be advised to note the telephone number of the caller and follow up with Visa or MasterCard by calling the 800 number on the back of the card to report the incident. The member should also contact their credit union to advise of the call and what specific requests were made.Please remember Belvoir Federal does not share your information with anyone that is not affiliated with our credit union. If you have concerns about this scam, please feel free to contact us through our regular means – 703.730.1800, [email protected], or visit your local branch.

Phishing Scam (11/3/10)

Members are receiving the following email – “You have received this file because your account has been limited. Please download the attachment file and follow the instructions.” This message is not from the credit union. DO NOT OPEN the attachment or supply any member information. To ensure that you are protected against computer viruses, be sure that your anti-virus software is up-to-date and functioning properly. Please remember that Belvoir Federal does not ask for any information via email. If you have concerns about an email you have received or supplied any information, please feel free to contact us through our regular means – 703.730.1800, [email protected], or visit your local branch.

Text Message Scam (10/26/10)

A few members have received text messages from Patent and Trade FCU indicating that their debit card has been blocked. The text message directs them to call 703.445.5601 to reactive the card. Please remember that Belvoir Federal does not ask for this information over the phone. If you have concerns about a phone call or text message you have received, please feel free to contact us through our regular means – 703.730.1800, [email protected], or visit your local branch.

Nigerian Scam (9/8/10)

Recently, an email was brought into our credit union which requested a member send a Nigerian based company a certificate with money prior to the release of funds. Please click here to view the message in the email that was received. Note the email appears as though it is coming from an officer of the credit union. Please remember Belvoir Federal does not share your information with anyone that is not affiliated with our credit union. If you have concerns about this scam, please feel free to contact us through our regular means – 703.730.1800, [email protected], or visit your local branch.

Recent Phishing Scam on Debit Cards (6/10/10)

Recently, a member reported an incoming call from a Verizon number (202-481-XXXX) that incorrectly informed the member of their debit card being closed. To reactivate it, they were asked to press the (*) sign and enter their card number. Please remember Belvoir Federal does not ask for this information over the phone. If you have concerns about a phone call you have received, please feel free to contact us through our regular means – 703.730.1800, [email protected], or visit your local branch.