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First Financial was recently made aware of a new text scam being sent to members notifying them of a Bill Pay transaction with a fraudulent link. Please do not click on any links and notify us immediately if you received this fraudulent text message.  

Here are some tips to help keep you from being a victim of fraud:

  • Inspect the sender’s information to confirm that the message was generated from a legitimate source, but don’t click on the link or call the number on the text.
  • Do not respond to the text. Even writing STOP will let the scammer know your number is genuine, and they may sell your number to other scammers, making the problem worse.
  • Remember, First Financial will never ask you to provide confidential information through text. Requests to do so, as well as poor spelling or grammar, are signs of a scam.
  • If you are suspicious, call First Financial immediately.

For additional questions or concerns, please contact our Member Resource Center at 800-342-8298. 

OTHER TEXT MESSAGE SCAMS

Debit Card Scam. The text states that the receiver needs to call 870-667-0339 due to their debit card being locked. THIS IS FALSE – please immediately delete the text and do not call the number. Just a reminder that Falcon will not send a text for debit card fraud.

False Fraud Scam - The text comes through posing as the First Financial Fraud Department asking members to verify a transaction. Once the member responds, there is a request for members Online Banking login credentials and will then initiate Zelle transfers. THIS IS FALSE – please immediately delete the text and do not respond.

Reminder: First Financial or Card Fraud Security will never text fraud alerts, ask to reveal a security code or send you a link to verify any type of transactions regarding your First Financial Debit Card. If you receive a text message and/or clicked on a link please do not respond and call First Financial immediately.

What are some classic warning signs of possible fraud and scams?

Article from the Consumer Finanical Protection Bureau
View on CFPB website here.

There are several signs that indicate you might be dealing with a scammer.

with the Federal Trade Commission. You can also contact your local police or sheriff's office or your state attorney general's office to report the scam. Visit the National Association of Attorneys General for the contact information of each state attorney general.

Report Gift Cards Used in a Scam

Video from the Federal Trade Commision:

Technical Support Scam - Be Aware

How the Scam Works:

Technical support scams are a form of telephone fraud in which a scammer claims to offer legitimate technical support service. The scammers will get in contact via cold calls to unsuspecting members or will instruct our members to call them via computer pop-up windows or incoming e-mails.  The scammers will usually claim they are from Microsoft Windows, Amazon, Google, or from a computer anti-virus company. The scammer will usually attempt to get our members to allow remote access into there computers.

After remote access is gained, the scammer will make our members believe they need to pay to have their Microsoft/Amazon/Google accounts restored, or that they need to pay for an anti-virus software. The scammers will then either steal the member’s credit card information or persuade our members to log into there online banking account to receive a promised refund. Once the scammer has access to the online banking, they will transfer funds between accounts to make our members believe they received a refund and must pay that refund back. The scammers will usually ask our members to send the funds via gift cards, place cash in the mail, or purchase gift cards and then divulge the gift card information to the scammer.

How to Avoid the Scam:

  • Beware of any incoming calls from someone claiming they are a technical support agent from Microsoft Windows, Amazon, Google, computer anti-virus companies, etc.
  • Beware of computer pop-up screens that instruct you to call a phone number for technical support.
  • If you need technical support, please locate the company’s legitimate website page, and contact a verified and trusted phone number.
  • Use extreme caution if someone has remoted into your computer.
  • If someone has remoted into your computer, never log into any financial websites or software (online banking, credit cards, etc.)
  • Never purchase gift cards to pay a business or pay for a service.
  • Never place cash in the mail to pay a business or pay for a service.
  • Microsoft, Amazon, Google, etc. will never issue you a refund and instruct you to pay back the refund. 

If you believe you are a victim of a technical support scam, please immediately contact First Financial Credit Union at 800-342-8298 or 505-766-5600.

Be Aware of Fraudulent Websites

In the past, First Financial has experienced fraudulent websites imitating First Financials’ legitimate website. Please verify the correct URL, ffnm.org, is listed in your browser when going to the First Financial website.

If you visited a website that appeared to be the First Financial website, and did not have the URL ffnm.org, please contact us immediately. As always, please remain wary of phishing or scam attempts and remember to closely analyze website URLs.  

Common Identity Theft Scams

  • Phishing: Scammers send phony emails, urging the recipient to visit a website to “correct” or “verify” account information.
  • Vishing: This scheme is similar to phishing but uses phone calls instead of emails. The victim is asked to call an 800 number, which is answered by a legitimate sounding recording, requesting account information.
  • Caller ID Spoofing: New Internet telephone technology allows users to change their Caller ID information. You may think you are speaking with a company you trust when in fact it is a stranger on the other end of the line.

Online Banking Security

No matter where you are, First Financial Credit Union provides members with a secure way to access your accounts. To help better protect your online and mobile banking credentials we recommend the following online security tips:

  • Do not use your Social Security number as a username or password.
  • Protect your online passwords. Don’t write them down or share them with anyone.
  • Use secure websites for any online shopping.
  • Avoid sharing personal details on social media that is used by your financial institutions such as, date of birth, home address, mother’s maiden name, or social security numbers.
  • Be wary of accessing online banking from unsecured or public wireless networks.
  • An employer will never request your online banking username or password.
  • Be cautious of conducting online banking on public or shared computers such as libraries or school computers.

Learn to Spot Scams

Know what to look for to avoid becoming a victim of account fraud and learn how to spot scams. Scammers will develop a fake story, job opportunity, or investment to make you believe a check, money order, or U.S. Postal Money Order is legitimate. They will give you instructions to cash the item and send the funds to them. The fraudulent check would then be withdrawn from your account, leaving you liable for the funds. Here are some tips to help you spot those scams:

  • Be cautious of anyone asking you to deposit an item into your account and immediately wire or send a portion of the funds elsewhere. The scammer usually request you to send those funds via money gram, western union, prepaid visa gift cards, or deposit those funds into an account at another bank or credit union.
  • Always tell a credit union employee if you are concerned or unsure of a check that is being deposited into your account.
  • Be cautious about strangers who ask you to deposit checks for them, ask about possibly financial opportunities, or share account information such as debit card and PIN numbers.
  • Remember that you are responsible and liable for any items that you cash or deposit into your account.
  • Never give out personal information such as Social Security number, bank account information, online banking credentials, and credit or debit card numbers to strangers who contact you by telephone, email, or any other means.
  • Be cautious when dealing with Craigslist. Best practice is to deal locally, face to face, and with cash transactions only.
  • If you are using online dating sites, be careful with people asking for financial help. Never give out personal or financial information, such as account or debit card numbers.
  • Be wary of work-from-home jobs or secret shopping jobs. No legitimate company will require you to wire or send off a portion of money. 

Mobile Banking Security

Using a smartphone or tablet to manage your finances can be convenient and help you monitor your money from just about anywhere. At the same time, it’s also important to take steps to protect your mobile banking information. Here are some tips to help better protect you:

  • Be proactive in securing your mobile device. Consider locking your device with a strong password.
  • Never leave your phone unattended.
  • Never give out your mobile banking credentials, this includes for 3rd party mobile capture deposits.
  • Add mobile security software to your smartphone or tablet, if possible.
  • Log out of the mobile browser or mobile banking app when you’re not using it.
  • Keep sensitive personal information, bank account numbers, and passwords off your phone.

We take our members’ privacy very seriously. We will never ask for your account information in an email, text message or over the phone. If you believe you are the victim of a scam attempt or have given out any account information, please contact us immediately at 505-766-5600 or 800-342-8298. We will do everything we can to help.

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