9/11/09 - Warning: New IRS Email Scam
Please be advised, there is a new phishing scam soliciting people for their IRS account information. This scam targeting thousands of Americans, involves a fake email message from the IRS sent under “notice of unreported income”. The e-mail states that the IRS needs the information to process a refund or stimulus payment into the taxpayer's bank account. The e-mails often contain links or attachments to what appears to be the IRS Web site or an IRS "refund application form." Once the perpetrators obtain the taxpayer’s personal and financial information ( such as name, social security number, bank and credit card account numbers) they can login and attempt to fraudulently collect tax refunds.   

The IRS warns taxpayers to be on the alert for e-mails and phone calls they may receive which claim to come from the IRS or other federal agency and which mention their tax refund or economic stimulus payment. The IRS does not send taxpayers e-mails about their tax accounts. 
For more information on consumer scams, see Suspicious e-Mails and Identity Theft. 

8/26/2009 - Fraudulent Checks and Letters Being Sent Out Using ABD FCU Name 
Please be advised, phony checks drawn on ABD Federal Credit Union have been sent out to people all over the country along with letters as part of a scam. ABD FCU President/CEO Carolyn Edwards told Credit Union Times that they have received reports of six senior citizens–none of them members of ABD credit union–having received checks for $4,841.11 drawn on her credit union. She said they haven’t found the perpetrator and that the checks are not the same color as those used by her Warren, Michigan-based credit union. She said someone probably scanned one of their cashier’s checks and then used that as a basis for the fraudulent ones. Edwards said she’s not sure how many phony letters and checks have been mailed out. The American Bankers Association warned its members because some of the letters accompanying the check look as if they were issued by the ABA.

The letters ask people to call a phone number to find out how to collect money, which scam artists often use to collect financial data. If you have received this letter DO NOT RETURN THE CALL, instead notify CFE’s Member Service Center at 407-896-9411, outside Orlando 800-771-9411, option 3. CFE is committed to protecting our members from fraud of any kind. Thank you.

Card Security Breach CFE Federal Credit Union is committed to maintaining the highest standards of physical and electronic security. Protecting confidential information extends beyond our own facilities; we also work with industry resources that alert us to security breaches that occur beyond our control but that may affect our members.

On January 16, 2009, a merchant processor for 250,000 small to mid-size nationally located merchants, confirmed that their database was compromised. An investigation by Visa indicated that a hacker placed malware, commonly known as a “sniffer” within the merchant processor’s system and captured information.  We’ve been advised that the compromised information does not include social security numbers or addresses.

Please be assured that neither CFE’s security processes nor our vendor partners were involved in the security breach.

CFE is closely monitoring our card data, and you will be contacted if you need to take any action. If members have questions or concerns regarding their CFE accounts they may contact the member service center at 407-896-9411, option 3.  

Although CFE continues to invest in new security technology and upgraded systems to protect your information, it is always a good practice to monitor your account closely for unusual transactions.  If you observe any suspicious activity, please contact CFE’s member service center at 407-896-9411, or 800-771-9411 outside Orlando, option 3.

We thank you for the trust you place in CFE. We will remain vigilant and committed to protecting our members from fraud of any kind. 

• Do not reply.
• Do not open any attachments.
• Do not click on any links.

The IRS does not initiate taxpayer communications through e-mail, nor do they request detailed personal information through e-mail. For more information please visit: http://www.irs.gov/privacy/article/0,,id=179820,00.html?portlet=5