Wisconsin Credit Union Members Receive Phishing E-Mails

A new phishing scam is likely to make money through e-mail by targeting over 2 million members of 'Wisconsin Credit Union'.

'Wisconsin Credit Union League' (WCUL) is an association having more than 270 credit unions. Some members of the union received a mail recently that enticed them to take part in a survey by answering five questions. The mail promised each recipient $100 for taking the survey. The message faked to come from the credit union's 'online services' department had questions that tried to extract personal details on passwords and account numbers.

Although Wisconsin alerted the members on uncovering the scam, yet several users were victimized while the total number is unknown.

According to Brett Thompson, CEO and president, WCUL it can never happen that a 'credit union' or any 'credit union' affiliated organization would at all dispatch e-mail of this kind regarding its members' private information. This e-mail that was sent was simply to play on to get something easily - in this instance hard cash with very little exertion.

WCUL has asked users not to open the links contained in the e-mails. The links may appear to be legitimate but most likely redirect to a phishing website. The League has advised that users should type the address of the web page in the browser and keep it marked for future use. It must have a 'padlock' symbol in the browser and ensure that the address starts with 'https' before the user submits his information. In any case one should not declare sensitive information over e-mail or telephone.

Advises also assert that PC users should employ anti-virus software and firewall protection while regularly updating them to keep the protection at high levels. It is also important to update software and operating systems with patches obtainable from the vendors' websites. There should be a track on transactions via credit cards so that no unauthorized intervention takes place. When any reward-containing message comes in the mailboxes, one should be cautious in responding to them.

WCUL has asked members who are prone to or already attacked by this scam to get in touch with their respective credit unions or FTC.

Related article: Washington State AG Files Lawsuit Under Computer spyware Act

» SPAMfighter News - 9/18/2006