Scam watch
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Online scams - Community First Credit Union
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| Protect yourself | |||||||||||||||
| The last couple of decades have seen huge changes in how we do our banking and pay for goods and services. Unfortunately, scammers are taking advantage of new technology to generate a number of scams that are potentially very costly and can result in losses. These scams aim to steal your account information and your money. Many of these scams can look and sound like the real thing, but there are ways of picking up on the warning signs so that you don’t lose out. | |||||||||||||||
| Some common scams | |||||||||||||||
| Requests for your account information (“phishing”) scams | |||||||||||||||
| Phishing emails are fake emails usually pretending to be from banks or other financial institutions. They make up some reason for you to give your account details and then use these details to steal your money. | |||||||||||||||
| Some common warning signs | |||||||||||||||
| You receive an email claiming to be from a financial institution. This message may seem to be from your bank or from a bank that you don’t have an account with. The email contains a link which leads you to a website where you are prompted to enter your bank account details. In addition: | |||||||||||||||
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| Phoney Fraud Alert | |||||||||||||||
| A phoney fraud alert is similar to a phishing scam. It can come in the form of an email or a phone call claiming to be from your bank or financial institution. The scammer will usually tell you that your credit card or account has been cancelled because it was involved in criminal activity, or because they suspect your card or details have been stolen. The scammer will ask you to confirm your credit card or account details so the ‘bank’ can ‘investigate’. You may be advised to contact a fake fraud investigations body, and discouraged from contacting your bank or credit union. If you receive an email, it may ask you to visit a website to confirm your credit card details or to find out more information on the supposed ‘fraud’ to your account. | |||||||||||||||
| What you can do as a Member | |||||||||||||||
| There are a few things that you can do, which will help you to avoid these types of fraud. Please take the time to read the following hints and tips. | |||||||||||||||
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| To avoid internet fraud | |||||||||||||||
| Install software to protect your computer from viruses and keep it up to date Avoid doing your internet banking at public computers (Libraries or internet cafes) Choose passwords that would be difficult to guess even to people that know you Beware of free websites and downloads as they can install harmful programs without you knowing | |||||||||||||||
| Source: www.scamwatch.gov.au | |||||||||||||||
| You can also refer to Visa's Quick Guide to Safer Shopping which will provide you with: | |||||||||||||||
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| For more information | |||||||||||||||
| At Community First, we are serious about protecting our Members from fraud. If you suspect fraud, contact us immediately. For more information on fighting fraud, visit www.scamwatch.gov.au | |||||||||||||||
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| Our product Conditions of Use are available on this website. You should read and consider these Terms and Conditions when deciding to use any product. |
