The National Credit Union Administration, (NCUA) warns netizens about phishing emails containing links to a fraudulent website that resembles the NCUA are being pushed to consumers.
NCUA says the phishing emails originate from what appears to be a legitimate website managed by an Australian financial services company called National Credit Union that claims to offer financial products and services to consumers in the U.S. and Europe.
The phishing emails try to trick consumers to provide personal information, such as Social Security numbers, account numbers, log-in information and a request to transfer large amounts of money.
The NCUA emphasizes that it has no affiliation with the “National Credit Union” and that it would never ask consumers for such information.
What To Do About It
If you get one of these phishing emails here’s what to do about it:
- Do not reply to the email. Do not click on links. Do not open any attachments, Do not give out any information. Do not act on financial transactions suggested. Delete the email.
- Contact the NCUA’s Fraud Hotline. The toll-free number is 800-827-9650. All reports remain confidential.
- File a complaint with the Internet Crime Complaint Center. The center is a partnership between the FBI and the non-profit National White Collar Crime Center established as a clearinghouse for Internet-related crimes.
- Visit the “Frauds and Scams” page on MyCreditUnion.gov. This page, operated by the NCUA, gives an overview of cybercrime scams.
If you find that your identity has been stolen, contact your financial institution as soon as possible, dispute any fraudulent transactions and, if needed, close your accounts and open new ones. Also, to protect your credit, notify the three big credit bureaus, Equifax, Experian and TransUnion, to place a fraud alert on your credit reports.
If you find any "National Credit Union” phishing email in your inbox, following these steps can prevent and incredible abount of lost time and hassle.
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