Financial Fraud

It is the goal of POPA FCU and LASD personnel, to provide our members (and their family members) an information resource center specifically related to financial crimes. Articles below relating to financial fraud trends are updated periodically for your convenience.

CLICK HERE for a list of typical financial fraud schemes affecting our society today.

Current Trends

Imposters Claim President Obama is paying utility bills.

These scammers claim that the President is providng credits or applying payments to utility bills. In some such cases, scammers have asked for social security numbers in order to 'allow for credits' or 'apply payments' to customers' utility bills, presenting an identity-theft risk. Such scammers have visited customers in person, posted fliers and used social media and text messaging to attract victims. Click here for more information.

Automated Phone Call Scam - be extremely wary of telephone calls requesting sensitive banking information.
These “robo-calls” play recorded messages that claim to be from major banks. The message states that there is a problem with the “banking network” and asks call recipients to verify account information, debit card numbers and/or credit card numbers linked to their bank account.

POPA will NEVER call our members to request personal identifying information or discuss banking network problems.

NEVER respond to ANY telephone call requesting personal or financial information. Click here for more information, and what to do if you got such a call.
*72 Phone Scam: Avoid fraudulent phone charges! Do not be tricked by people asking you to call phone numbers starting with *72.You should not call any phone number starting with *72 unless you want to forward all your calls to that phone number. Click here for the LASD media alert.
Advanced-Fee Fraud Scam - Thieves are using current events to add a sense of urgency as well as credibility to their claims for financial assistance. Click here for an example recently faxed to POPA, . Such requests can come via email, fax, or mail. Remember - if it seems too good to be true, it almost always is!

Electronic Pickpocketing - The vulnerability of credit cards with RFID (radio frequency identification) technology

http://www.wreg.com/videobeta/cd5b73ab-236b-4f3d-9ef6-650a6272e03c/News/Electronic-Pickpocketing

MSNBC reports on ID thieves targeting children's credit and what parents can do about it

http://today.msnbc.msn.com/id/42997608

President Obama established the Financial Fraud Enforcement Task Force in November 2009 to hold accountable those who helped bring about the last financial crisis as well as those who would attempt to take advantage of the efforts at economic recovery. The task force is improving efforts across the government and with state and local partners to investigate and prosecute significant financial crimes, ensure just and effective punishment for those who perpetrate financial crimes, recover proceeds for victims and address financial discrimination in the lending and financial markets. Please visit www.stopfraud.gov to learn more on how to protect yourself and what to do if you've been a victim (or think you're a victim) of financial fraud.

The FBI's website is a great information resource to educate yourself on financial crimes - visit http://www.fbi.gov/scams-safety/fraud/fraud for prevention tips and report filing.

From time to time, the Credit Union will announce examples of phishing that have directly afftected our members. Please be aware of what phishing is and contact the Credit Union immediately if you were a victim or, think you might be a victim of a phishing scam. A member has brought to our attention recently this phishing text message they received on their mobile phone:

"The Credit Union Center Alert. Your card has been deactivated. Please call xxx-xxx-xxxx."

PLEASE DO NOT RESPOND if you receive this text message or a similar message and contact the Credit Union immediately!

POPA Federal Credit Union will contact you directly if there is any concern about your Credit Union account. Please protect your privacy and do not give any information to anyone you do not know.

For more practical tips from the federal government and the technology industry to help you be on guard against Internet fraud, secure your computer, and protect your personal information, please visit http://www.onguardonline.gov/topics/phishing.aspx