New Mexico Educators Federal Credit Union :: ID Awareness & Security :: Fraud Alerts

Local Credit Union Smishing Scam

We have been notified that "Smishing" attempts have been made to several members from various out-of-state phone numbers stating “This is an automated message from First Financial CU. Your ATM card has been suspended. To reactivate, call urgent at 1-877-209-0565.”

If they receive a text message similar to this incident, please delete it. Remember that New Mexico Educators Federal Credit Union will NEVER contact you for account numbers, credit card or debit card numbers, CCV numbers, PIN numbers, or any other private information via letter, phone, email or text.

Smishing is the criminal practice of using cell phone text messaging systems to gain access to private personal and financial information from the public for the purpose of financial reward. The term is a combination of "SMS" and phishing. Similar to phishing, smishing uses cell phone text messages to deliver the "bait" to get you to divulge your personal information. The "hook" (the method used to actually "capture" your information) in the text message may be a website address, however it has become more common to see a phone number that connects to an automated voice response system.