FRAUD WATCHLIST

• What is Phishing? 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 in an electronic communication (i.e. fake emails, fake phone numbers, etc.). TIC again assures its service community that it would never ask for private financial information over the phone or internet.   
  
  Phishing attacks involve the mass distribution of "spoofed" email messages with return addresses, links, phone numbers, and branding which appear to come from banks, insurance agencies, retailers or credit card companies.  These random attacks cast a wide net, hoping for a consumer to answer a fraudulent request. 
  
  Identity thieves can use an individual’s personal data to take over their financial accounts, run up charges on their credit cards, apply for loans, credit cards or other services in the victim’s name and file fraudulent tax returns.
  
  TIC Federal Credit Union urges the community to please be cautious of unsolicited e-mails.  It is recommended not to open e-mails from unknown senders because they may contain viruses or other malicious programs. It is also recommended to avoid clicking links in e-mails received from unknown senders as this is a popular method of directing victims to phishing websites.
  
  If necessary, consumers should act immediately by alerting your financial institution, placing fraud alerts on your credit files and monitoring your account statements closely.  TIC can be contacted via email using our secured online form, or by phone at 706.320.8500 or toll-free at 1.877.332.1269.

• eBay and PayPal "phishing" emails. These emails ask for account information to "verify" recent account activity, some may include legitimate looking warnings of possible fraudulent purchases.

• Telephone calls where somebody pretending to be from your bank or financial institution needs information for an IRS audit.

• Stealing mail from your mailbox and rifling through to find your legal name, date of birth, and Social Security number—the starter set for identity theft.

• "Dumpster diving" through your garbage to find credit card applications that you threw away and didn't shred. An identity thief will check the change-of-address box, fill in your information, and a new credit card in your name will be sent to his or her P.O. box.

• "Shoulder surfing" - Are you squinting at your credit card as you hold it a few feet away to read the numbers to a sales rep in a store or on your phone? An identity thief may be watching or listening.

• Lab coat-wearing con artists who wander hospital halls, clipboards in hand, asking patients for personal information.

• Financial crimes against the elderly
  Older individuals may be more susceptible to financial exploitation and fraud simply because many have assets in the form of savings, stocks, insurance policies, and property. Scams targeted towards the elderly include identity theft, illegitimate lending practices, unsolicited email, international lottery scams, telemarketing fraud, and home repair scams. Click here for additional resources.