New as of July 17, 2008 - Co-Op Network Email

If you receive an email from Co-Op Network asking to verify account information, IT IS FAKE.  Co-Op Network is TCCU's ATM/Debit card network and they will never contact our members regarding the verification of ANY information.  Please report any emails to Beth at Tri-Cities Credit Union immediately.  Thank you for your help. 

New as of June 6, 2008 - Tower Federal Credit Union

A member just brought in an email he received from Tower Federal Credit Union regarding recent activity on the member's account.  TCCU is not affiliated in ANY way with Tower Federal Credit Union.  The member called to investigate what this email was regarding (as he was correct in assuming it was fraudulent) and received an answering machine that was full.  Please do NOT give ANY information to Tower Federal Credit Union and report any emails you may receive from them to us.  Great job by our member!

New as of May 30, 2008 - Debit Card Phone Scam

One of our staff members received a call from a TCCU member who stated that she received a phone call from a foreign person claiming to be representing the credit union’s debit card department.  He asked her to give him her debit card number so the card could be activated again after a compromise-she didn’t give any information and thankfully the card had been closed out.  WE WILL NEVER CALL YOU TO ASK YOU TO VERIFY INFORMATION ON ANY CARD OR ACCOUNT!  THIS IS A SCAM!  Please report any information to the staff of TCCU right away if you receive a call asking for your debit or credit card information.

New as of March 20, 2008 - George W. Bush Tax Rebate

Another credit union reported their member received a telephone call that was part automated and part live person.  The call was about the George W. Bush Rebate.  The call suggested that they were selected randomly as one of the 50,000 taxpayers to received $1,000.00 from the George W. Bush Rebate (Economic Stimulus Package) in May or June depending on the first filer’s social security number.  The only information that the caller required was the routing number for their bank and account number.  Unfortunately, their member fell for it. 

It is Tri-Cities Credit Union's understanding that the rebates will come in the same form as the refunds – either check or direct deposit.  If you did not receive a refund, then a check would be issued provided you filed a federal return. 

New as of February 13, 2008 - Co-Op Credit Union Email

One of our members received an email from Co-Op Services Credit Union asking the member to click on a provided link (https://www.cscu.org/cyberbranch/onlineserv/HB/Signon.cgi) within 48 hours to confirm banking details because the member's account had been accessed from "different locations".   THIS IS A SCAM!!!!  Not only are there misspellings in this email, but no financial institution would send you an email to have you confirm information that is already on file.  If you receive any email like this, please contact the credit union IMMEDIATELY and DO NOT CLICK ON THE LINK!  Thank you to the member who provided a copy of this scam to TCCU. 

New as of February 1, 2008 - IRS Phone Calls

With all of the buzz about the $600-$1200 economic stimulus package checks many scam artists are hard at work.  There have been reports of consumers receiving phone calls from the IRS asking people to verify their identities and bank account numbers.  THIS IS FAKE.  The IRS would NEVER call or email you.  The ecomonic stimulus package has not even been decided upon yet.  Please guard your information carefully and call Tri-Cities Credit Union and your local law enforcement agency right away if you should suspect fraud.

New as of January 28, 2008 - Correspondence from the US Government

One of our members reported a phone call she received on Saturday from a man with a thick foreign accent saying he was from the US Government and needed her account information. Luckily, the member knew that THIS IS A SCAM and did not report any information.  Just today, the CEO received a bogus email from the US Department of Justice that contained a computer virus in an attachment.  If the attachment had been opened, the virus would have been unleashed.  However, the CEO knew better than to open this attachment.  If you receive a phone call, letter, or email from the US Government regarding your account at Tri-Cities Credit Union, please let us know immediately so we can investigate.  The US Government and TCCU would never call, email, or write you and request information.   

New as of August 22, 2007 - PAY PAL EMAIL

The CEO of Tri-Cities Credit Union recently recieved a ficticious email to her personal email account concerning Pay Pal.  The email stated that the CEOs Pay Pal account (she doesn't even HAVE a Pay Pal account) has been selected for routine maintenance and will be shut down if she does not provide more information to Pay Pal.  There is a link to click on and the email looks very official.  THIS IS A SCAM!  If you receive this email, do not respond to it!  Contact your local police right away.  This goes to show that ALL of us are vulnerable to fraud and we must be VERY careful with any piece of personal information.   

New as of April 25, 2007

ALWAYS know who you are accepting money orders or cashier's checks from.  Recently, one of our own members was the victim of Postal Money Order fraud.  This member received five Postal Money Orders that looked real even to our tellers.  The person sending these money orders was a scam artist and asked our member to cash the money orders for her and wire her the money.  Because these money orders were fake (even though our member and our tellers could not tell), the money orders were returned unpaid.  When we place holds on your checks, money orders, etc. we are trying to protect you from fraudulent items that you could end up paying for!  If a check, money order, cashier's check, etc. is returned unpaid, you are responsible for paying back those funds and the credit union will hold you responsible.  If you have any questions, please contact any of our helpful staff.

New as of March 26, 2007

If you receive any emails from NCUA, National Credit Union Association, please be aware that these emails are fraud.  If you follow the directions and give out your account number and any personal information, you will be scammed!  Please report ANY email from NCUA to Phishing@ncua.gov.  NCUA will never email you and ask for any account information.  Tri-Cities Credit Union has not authorized NCUA to contact any of our members via email.

New as of February 27, 2007

USPS Money Orders:  Beware of selling anything online and receiving a USPS Money Order with a letter from the US Post Office stating that the Money Order is authentic.  This Money Order and letter are FAKE!  The US Postal Service NEVER sends authorization letters out to customers.  For more information check out http://www.usps.com/missingmoneyorders/security.htm

REPORT ANY UNUSUAL CHECKS, MONEY ORDERS, E-MAILS, OR PHONE CALLS TO TCCU IMMEDIATELY!  WE WILL NEVER CALL YOU AND ASK FOR INFORMATION LIKE YOUR ACCOUNT NUMBER, SOCIAL SECURITY NUMBER, ROUTING NUMBER, MICR NUMBER, ETC.