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Recent Alerts
FinCEN Name Used in Scams (Published by National Association of Federal Credit Unions July 23, 2008)
The Financial Crime Enforcement Network has issued warnings about financial scams being undertaken through the unauthorized use of FinCEN's name.
Some of the scams involve persons representing themselves as FinCEN officials seeking confidential information. The requests may be presented in letters bearing the FinCEN seal or an e-mail represented as official correspondence. "These scams often involve the enticement of a phony inheritance of sum of money and claim that FinCEN is holding or blocking the transfer of funds, " the agency said.
FinCEN advises anyone receiving such letters or e-mails to refrain from sending funds or information. Anyone who suspects a request or thinks they have been victimized should report the information to local, state or federal law enforcement, it said.
FinCEN doesn't send unsolicited requests and doesn't ask for personal or financial information from members of the public, thought it may freeze or block the transfer of assets. The fraudulent messages may seem to come from an overseas office as well, but FinCEN notes it has no offices outside the United States.
Current Phising Scam (Published by Digital Insight, July 17, 2008)
Fayetteville, NC - Digital Insight would like to warn you about a current phishing scam directed at Digital Insight client financial institutions and their end users. This scam targets users by sending emails that appear to be from an official Digital Insight source (for example, "Digital Insight Customer Care," "Digital Insight Administration," etc.), and is designed to trick the recipient into clicking a link in the email for the purpose of acquiring sensitive data, such as passwords or financial information.
Users should be advised to NEVER click links or install programs suggested in emails, even if the email appears to be from an official or familiar source. Digital Insight will never send client emails containing links to download software or applications.
Sheriff warns of jury duty scam (Published by The Fayetteville Observer on Thursday, June 12, 2008)
Fayetteville, NC - Residents are being warned about a scam operation that lures its victims with a phony jury duty summons.
The scam has been reported in 11 states, according to a press release issued by Cumberland County Sheriff Moose Butler. Butler said the scam involves someone calling a home to ask the resident about jury duty. The caller implies that the person failed to show up for court and tells the resident that an order for his or her arrest will be issued. Most residents will protest, Butler said, prompting the caller to ask for the resident's Social Security number and date of birth. The caller says the information needs to be verified in order to have the arrest warrant canceled.
"Quite often the scammer bullies the citizen for this information by posing as a law enforcement officer or a member of the court system," Butler said. Residents should never give personal information to anyone over the phone, Butler said. If someone calls asking for that information, get a number from the caller and notify authorities.
Cumberland County residents can call the Sheriff's Office at (910) 323-1500.
Police issue fraud alert (Published by The Fayetteville Observer on Friday, May 30, 2008)
Fayetteville, NC - Fayetteville police have issued a warning about a scam reported in the area. According to police, people have received letters telling them they have won a lottery in Canada. These letters require the victim to wire a certain amount of the winnings to cover taxes to a location in Canada in order to collect the remainder of the award. The letter may also include a check already paid out to the victim that the victim is supposed to cash and send back to the sender. But the check is fraudulent, and the victim is required to reimburse his bank for the loss after cashing it.
Fayetteville police offered the following tips to protect yourself from scams:
--Never send money to someone you don't know or whose identity you can't verify.
--Never send money to pay for lottery taxes or fees.
--A legitimate lottery or sweepstakes will never ask for money up front before sending your prize.
--If you receive a solicitation from a lottery or sweepstakes, talk it over with family or friends and contact local law enforcement to find out if it is legitimate.
--If it sounds too good to be true, it probably is.
Attorney General Roy Cooper warns North Carolina consumers about automated calls that seek to steal your personal informtion - (February 7, 2008)
North Carolina - Scam: Consumers should be on the lookout for automated phone calls pretending to be from your bank or credit union. The message says that your card has been suspended and asks you to contact their security department at the telephone nmber provided. When customers call the number, an automated system tells them to enter their card number, expiration date, and PIN in order to "activate fraud protection on their account". This scam, called "vishing", is an attempt to steal your personal information including card numbers, expiration dates, and PINs for your debit and credit cards. The email version of this scam is called "phishing".
TIP: Never give your private information to someone you don't know who calls you on the phone. If you get an automated call that tells you to call another number, look up the correct number to call on your own. For example, call your credit card company at the phone number listed on the back of your credit or debit card or call your bank at the number listed on your bank statement. If you've respoded to one of these calls or been the victim of a similar scam, please contact Attorney General Roy Cooper's Consumer Protection Division for assistance at 1-877-5-NO-SCAM.
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