A full service financial
cooperative proudly serving
Federal employees in Wisconsin

Federated Family Credit Union
Phone: (414) 278-7220 
Fax: (414) 278-0890

Main Office
626 E. Wisconsin Ave., Ste 102
Milwaukee, WI 53202

Never give private financial information out over the phone unless YOU initiate the phone call. NEVER give out your PIN number for any reason; hang up immediately if asked for this information.

Old Scam Gets a New Twist

Credit card thieves frequently bribe waiters and store clerks to copy the front of the credit cards processed at their store. To combat this form of theft, credit card companies now put a three-digit code on the BACK of the credit card. You cannot make a credit card purchase online or over the phone without knowing this three-digit code.

To get around this obstacle, credit card thieves have added an extra step to their scam. Armed with the name from the front of your credit card, they simply need a phone book to find your phone number and home address. They then call your home.

In an official-sounding voice they repeat your name, card number and home address. They ask you to "verify" this information by giving them the three-digit code on the back of your credit card. This call is frequently VERY official sounding. They might use an automated phone system, or mention official-sounding agencies.

If the caller threatens to cancel your card or freeze your account, it's a sure tip-off to a scam. Offer to call them back with this information, and ask for a phone number. Then report this incident to your credit union or the phone number on your credit card statement, and give them the fraudulent phone number. They'll also help you close this account and issue a new credit card.

VISHING and SMiSHING

Vishing is a telephone scam run via Voice over Internet protocols (VoIP). Fraudsters use their computer to call multiple numbers using an autodialer program.

They usually leave urgent or official-sounding messages to convey the need for you to "confirm" your personal or account information. When you return the call, the posing fraudster will ask you for your personal or account information. Once they have the information, your identity and account are now susceptible to fraud.

Vishing fraudsters typically want to leave you a message rather than speak directly to you. They often sound urgent or include messages that sound official, even invoking the need to keep your personal or account information secure, yet they still request you provide this information to them.

In a similar scam, SMiShing uses cell phone text messages to deliver a similar “bait” message. The name is derived from "SMs phISHING". SMS (Short Message Service) is the technology used for text messages on cell phones. An example of a SMiShing message:

Notice — the automated message from (a local credit union), your card has been suspended. To reactivate call urgent at 866-###-####.

Anytime you return a vishing or smishing phone call, you will be asked for personal information such as the card number, 3-digit security number and PIN.

Do not provide the caller with any information. Although Federated Family Credit Union may ask for personal information to confirm identification, we will NEVER ask for your 3-digit ID or PIN. If you have any doubt as to the validity of a phone call, call the credit union directly to ask about the status of your card.

If you believe you have been a victim of a telephone scam, immediately contact your credit union.  credit union or the phone number on the back of the card to have the card restricted.
 

Anti-Theft Tools from Federated Family

• Avoiding Common Tax Scams
   
• Stop Payment Form
   
• Don't Get Hooked by a Phishing Attack
   
• 14 Ways to Stop Identity Theft
   
• Spotting Investment Scams