IDAHO CREDIT UNION LEAGUE WARNING
Idaho Credit Union Members and Non-Members Hit by Text Scam
Contact: LaRaye O'Brien
lobrien@idahocul.org
208-343-4841
November 25, 2009 Boise, ID -- Several credit unions reported yesterday that their members and non-members had received text messages on their cell phones requesting them to enter/send their account information because "restrictions have been discovered/placed on your account." These text messages appear to have originated from the credit union's phone number and web address, but in fact are fraudulent. The credit unions sent no such text messages. Nor do they ever attempt to contact their members or non-members via text message.
The Treasure Valley credit unions targeted so far are Idadiv CU, Mountain Gem CU, Northwest Christian CU, Addison Avenue FCU, and credit unions in North Idaho include Potlatch No. 1 FCU and St. Joe Valley CU.
Law enforcement agencies were informed of the scam, as were the Better Business Bureaus in the various locations and the Idaho Department of Finance.
ADVICE
It is important for consumers to know that their credit union will never contact them via text message or email requesting information. If there is every a question, the consumer should call their credit union directly -- never by clicking on a link, responding to a text message, or giving information to someone calling them on the phone.
The Idaho Credit Union League is the trade association representing the interests of Idaho credit unions and their more than one-half million members. Credit unions are not-for-profit cooperatives providing affordable financial services to people from all walks of life.