ORLANDO, Fla. -- McCoy FCU credit union is warning its memberse about a new scam using text messages for phishing personal account information.
The new scam, known as "smishing," for phising using SMS messaging, sends a text message to the person’s cellphone urging them to go to a website–usually a spoofed version of the credit union’s website–where they are asked to provide personal account information, like PINs or passwords.
Numerous other credit unions have reported being hit by smishing attacks in recent days.
Land of Lincoln CU, in Decatur, said members and nonmembers have received e-mails, text messages and direct phone calls since late May 13, all asking for information on credit union accounts, credit cards or debit cards.
Kansas City-area consumers are receiving phone calls, text messages and e-mails that appear to be from Mazuma CU, but are not.
Arizona Central CU was hit with a phishing attack via text message to its members in March.
And Oregon Community CU said some its members feel for a similar text message scam last month and apparently shared their account information with the scamsters.
The messages were sent out before 6:30 a.m. on a Saturday to both members and nonmembers saying their credit union accounts had been closed due to unusual activity and listing a Florida phone number to call. When they called, an automated message told victims that they would need to give three pieces of information, starting with their debit card number. At least 2,000 people called the credit union to report the scam.
