Internet Scam Affects Local Credit Union

It's a scam that's targeting San Angelo specifically, and the master minds behind it are even using an area business, as a front. Nicole Sanchez, tells us how to avoid being taken by this scam.




”It's kind of scary when you see your own institution out there.” Vice President of 1st Community Federal Credit Union Jim Seale is talking about this, an internet scam. One that’s using the Credit Unions name and image. The scam started circulating on the net this past week, making this organization a victim of identity fraud.

"Yes, First Community is a victim also, we'll have to devote time and resources to track down this website and get it closed down, there's damage to our repetition. It's a fishing scam, originated by someone who we don't know who it is. I think it's an attempt to gain account information from anyone who replies to the e-mail," Seale says.

It's an attempt that at least on the surface looks legitimate. Even using the Credit Unions official logo.

"It looks very real, if you do follow the link there, it takes you to Davis Driving School, which is probably just a fake name, for whoever's gathering the information. Normally the first thing that happens if you click on that address is the site where you go load some spy ware on your computer, so whoever's doing this can monitor places where you go and get account numbers, passwords and then they use that information to tap into your account and transfer money from you to them," Seale says.

But Credit Union officials say you can protect yourself. Remembering this important tip.

"We don't ever ask, for your account information, or your account number or anything personal over the internet we all ready have your account information including your account number," Seale says.

It’s still unknown who started this scam or where they are based, in fact, these tech savvy thieves may never be tracked down, but Credit Union workers say, they are doing what they can to better protect their customers.

Seale says, "We take a proactive approach here and we contact an internet security company and which will take the steps to shut down that website and so if people do respond their response will go nowhere. "

The 1st Community Federal Credit Union urges those who received this scam to delete the e-mail. This is the first e-mail fraud to affect this local Credit Union.