Fraud Alerts

Advertisements have been posted on Craigslist as part of member recruitment scams nationwide. The ads solicit current credit union members and offer $75.00 or more for their assistance with qualifying a new member. This scam is targeting credit unions and members across the country.

The following are samples of Craigslist ads target credit union members for this recruitment scam:

If you're a ABC Credit Union Member MAKE SOME EXTRA $$

This is NOT a scam! I am willing to call you and discuss extensively! I need a ABC Credit Union Member to sponsor me into the credit union. I am willing to pay $100 USD for this service. Please email me and we can discuss this in detail. This is a 1 day process and I want to become a member for investment account/interest rate purposes.

Need to find a XYZ Credit Union Member

I was just approved for a visa credit card with XYZ Federal Credit Union and they called me and said that they can not process the application if I do not know any existing member or if I am not employed at one of the list of companies they have. To become a member you have to know a member. So now my app is on hold until I can find someone who is already a member. If you know someone, please tell them to contact me. I am willing to pay $500. And all they ask for is the members' name and member number. Thanks.

This is a scam - do not give out your personal information. If you see any of these messages on craiglist which mention Cal State L.A., please notify us with the URL or 10 digit message ID. Additionally, you can email This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.. Be sure to include the URL (or 10-digit post ID number) in your message. Most importantly, do not respond to the scammer.

Scams on Craigslist you should learn about.

Text messaging fraud is a new way criminals are using technology to try to get you to divulge your account information. In this scam, text messages are sent to random or sequential numbers by fraudsters with the same intent as 'phishing' email - to get you to divulge your account number, passwords, credit and debit card numbers, expiration dates and PINs.

SMS Phishing or 'Smishing' text messages may include a link to a fraudulent website, or a phone number to an automated system that prompts you for your account information. If you get such a message, DO NOT RESPOND. In the event you have responded to a message like this, please contact the credit union immediately. Cal State L.A. Federal Credit Union does not send out unsolicited text messages.

Many consumers are tricked into divulging their personal information by thieves posing as legitimate companies or government agencies. This new brand of criminal sends emails that appear to be from the victim's financial institution, or other trusted source. The emails stress the urgency of providing personal information such as credit card numbers, checking account information, Social Security numbers, passwords, and other sensitive personal information, and link to fraudulent websites for collecting the information. 

Due to increased security in credit card and Internet transactions, traditional targets of electronic theft, many thieves are turning to other options to steal money. Skimmers are one of the most popular methods that thieves use, but they employ others as well. For example, they may tamper with security cameras or simply peer over your shoulder as you are using the ATM. Some thieves even set up their own, fake ATMs in out-of-the-way locations. 

The Internet Crime Complaint Center
A partnership between the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) and the National White Collar Crime Center. The IC3 accepts Online Internet Crime Complaints.

FTC Online Complaint Form
The Federal Trade Commission, the nation's consumer protection agency, collects complaints about companies, business practices, and identity theft under the FTC Act and other laws. FTC Online Complaint Form.

FTC toll free hotline: 877-FTC-HELP (877-382-4357)

U.S. Postal Inspection Service
(877) 876-2455
Criminal Investigations Service Center, Attn: Mail Fraud
222 S Riverside Plaza Ste 1250, Chicago, IL 60606
https://postalinspectors.uspis.gov

Annual Credit Report Request Service
To order a credit report call: (877) 322-8228
P.O. Box 105281, Atlanta, GA 30348-5281
www.annualcreditreport.com

Checking Account Fraud
In addition to reporting checking account fraud to your financial institution, you can report it to these agencies that monitor checking account transactions:

ChexSystems
(800) 428-9623
7805 Hudson Road, Suite 100, Woodbury, MN 55125
ChexSystems Consumer Assistance

TeleCheck
(800) 710-9898
Attention: Consumer Resolutions-FA, P.O. Box 4514, Houston TX 77210-4514
Consumer info

If you use online or mobile banking, you will be interested to know about new measures to make your accounts more secure.