Phishing Mails Attacked Members of Pikes Peak Credit Union

The Pikes Peak of Credit Unions (Colorado, US) is cautioning users to be careful about phishing mails being sent by hackers.

The Pikes Peak of Credit Unions claims that the ID thieves and hackers did not breach credit union security systems to access phone numbers and e-mail addresses instead they are distributing unsolicited mails in the hope that someone will be deceived.

According to the investigation done till now, mails carry authentic looking logos and other similar details copied directly from credit union sites, making the e-mails appear legitimate and anyone can be deceived.

Like other phishing mails, this too asks for personal details such as passwords, account numbers and social security numbers (SSNs) to gain access to consumers' money.

Further, credit unions and banks will not ask for private details of customers through mails.

In addition, as the phishing mails were sent to members in the wild, the official website of Credit Union asks its members to contact with the fraud departments of all three important credit union bureaus - TransUnion, Equifax and Experian - at their helpdesk numbers.

Apart from this, it suggests Credit Union members to shut down any accounts that have been exploited or accessed by hackers as credit account includes all accounts with banks, credit unions, credit card companies and other lenders, phone companies, utilities, Internet Service Providers (ISPs) and other service providers.

Further, it asks customers to contact someone in the fraud or security department of each creditor and follow up with a letter.

It also recommends them to ask for their credit report from all the three credit bureaus at least ones a year to check any inaccuracy or fake details on record.

In the mean time, this mail scam has been creating havoc in the Credit Union since the starting of 2009. However, it has gained momentum in past few days.

Phishers hack users' accounts with phishing mails in other credit unions. In similar news, the Brazos Valley Schools Credit Union, Texas (US) has been continuously facing the phishing mails in the starting of March 2009, leading to confusion among union members.

Related article: Phishing With A Redirector Code

» SPAMfighter News - 3/26/2009