Fraudulent  Email from "National Credit Union Administration"

Some credit union members have reported receiving a phishing email which claims to be from the NCUA. The subject line is: Important Notification Regarding your Credit Union Profile.   The scam email asks "FCU holder account" to click into a link and fill in a form. The scam email says the action is designed to protect the recipient’s account and threatens that if the recipient doesn’t comply, account access will be limited or denied.

Phishing is the criminally fraudulent process of attempting to acquire sensitive information such as usernames, passwords and credit card details, by masquerading as a trustworthy entity — such as a credit union — in an email.

This fraudulent email was not sent by the NCUA or any credit union or other financial institution. No reputable financial institution, such as a credit union, will ask for personal information — account number, usernames, passwords or Social Security number — in an unsolicited email.

Our members should always keep in mind:

• New Mexico Educators Federal Credit Union or any other legitimate financial institution or agency will NEVER ask you in a phone call, e-mail or letter for account numbers, credit card numbers, CCV numbers, PIN numbers, or any other private information.
• Don't be tricked - even clicking on a link in an e-mail can install unwanted programs in your computer that can steal your private information.
• If you receive any suspicious e-mails, delete them immediately.

You should periodically check your credit reports distributed by the three major credit bureaus, and you have the right to receive one free copy of your credit report, once every twelve months. To request this report, visit www.annualcreditreport.com, or call toll-free 877-322-8228.

Posted 2/12/09