Spoofed Credit Union Member Alert
A text or call spoofs your credit union's fraud alert and walks you into 'verifying' a charge, harvesting card and login details.
Think a message like this reached you? You can check it right now.
What this scam is
Scammers imitate the automated fraud alerts credit unions send, texting about a suspicious charge and prompting you to reply or call a number that reaches them, not the credit union. They then 'verify' your identity by collecting card details, PIN, or online-banking login. Because credit unions are trusted and local, members can be quicker to comply. Real alerts direct you to call the number on your card.
What it usually looks like
- A fraud-alert text about a charge, asking you to reply or call a number.
- A callback number that is not on your card.
- 'Verification' that collects card and login details.
- Urgency about a pending charge.
Common warning signs
- The callback number is not the one on your card.
- You are asked for PIN or full login to 'verify.'
- Pressure about a charge you can check yourself.
- The message pushes you off official channels.
Example wording scammers use
“[Your] Credit Union Fraud Alert: Did you spend $312.88 at an electronics store? Reply YES/NO or call 1-8XX to verify.”
“To confirm your identity, provide your card number and PIN.”
These are illustrative examples written by ScamSplain, not real messages.
What the scammers want
- Your card details, PIN, and login.
- To route you to their fake 'fraud line.'
- Access to your account.
What to do
- Do not call the number in the message; call the number on your card.
- Check charges in the official app.
- Never share your PIN or full login.
- Report and delete.
What to do if you already responded
- Call your credit union's real fraud line and freeze the card.
- Change your online-banking password.
- Report at reportfraud.ftc.gov.