Fraud Resource Center

	Did you know? Consumers are entitled to one free credit report each year. Click here for your FREE Credit Report.

Louisiana FCU is committed to keeping you informed of the latest fraud information. According to the FTC, over 9 million consumers have their identity stolen each year. The information you will find here will tell you how to avoid being a victim and what you can do about it:

EDUCATE YOURSELF

Consumer Education Fraud Series – Step by step modules on Identity Theft, Check & Credit Card Fraud, & Consumer Scams such as telemarketing rip-offs, discount medical plans, & home improvement scams. 

FILING A COMPLAINT
Internet Fraud Complaint Center

WHEN YOUR IDENTITY IS STOLEN
Federal Trade Commission

INTERNET FRAUD
OnGuard Online

Have you been “phished?” Report it

AlertMe
AlertMe is our new credit-monitoring service designed to help you fight identity theft, a growing problem that affects millions of Americans.  Since credit report activity can be a sign of possible identity theft, early detection can help you catch problems quickly to minimize losses.  AlertMe gives early warning of activity on your credit report by monitoring your Experian credit file daily.  New accounts, credit cards over the credit limit, and address changes are just a few of the items AlertMe monitors.

If an activity occurs, AlertMe will send you an email alerting you to the activity.  You can log into the AlertMe website to read details about the activity and determine if it is suspicious.  AlertMe will also send an email to remind you to order your annual free credit reports. 

This service only costs $4.25 per month; quarterly and annual plans are available at a reduced rate.  Click here to learn more or enroll.

What is Phishing?

There's a new type of Internet piracy called "phishing." It's pronounced "fishing," and that's exactly what these thieves are doing: fishing for your personal financial information. What they want are account numbers, passwords, Social Security numbers, and other confidential information that they can use to loot your checking account or run up bills on your credit cards.

Here's how it works:
In a typical case, you'll receive an e-mail that appears to come from a reputable company that you recognize and do business with, such as your financial institution. In some cases, the e-mail may appear to come from a government agency, including one of the federal financial institution regulatory agencies.

The e-mail will probably warn you of a serious problem that requires your immediate attention. It will then encourage you to click on a button to go to the institution's web site.

In a phishing scam, you could be redirected to a phony website that may look exactly like the real thing. Sometimes, in fact, it may be the company's actual website. In those cases, a pop-up window will quickly appear for the purpose of harvesting your financial information.

In either case, you may be asked to update your personal information or to provide information for verification purposes. If you provide the requested information, you may find yourself the victim of identity theft.

To protect yourself:

• Never provide your personal information in response to an unsolicited request
• If you believe the contact may be legitimate, contact the financial institution yourself
• Never provide your password over the phone or in response to an unsolicited internet request
• Review account statements regularly to ensure all charges are correct
• Update and run your anti-virus software frequently

For more information on phishing, visit our online Consumer Education Fraud Series.

Local Scam Alert: Check Deposits & Your Money

When deposits are made into a member’s account, it is customary for a hold to be placed on those funds for a specific period of time-based on the paying bank’s information. However, when the hold is released, this is not a guarantee that the check is “good”. If the check is returned to Louisiana FCU, the check deposit is reversed and the member would be responsible for the full amount of the check.

Here are the latest scams.

• One common scam involves an unexpected windfall. The member is told he has won a foreign lottery or is the beneficiary of someone's estate, and that the proceeds will be sent to him once the taxes or fees are paid. A cashier's check is provided to cover those charges, and the member is asked to deposit the check and then wire the taxes or fees back to them before they can receive their ‘big’ check.
• In another scam, a member sells something on the Internet and receives a cashier's check that is greater than the purchase price. The buyer tells the seller to deposit the check and wire the excess immediately, keeping some amount to compensate for the time and expense involved. Again, the member would be responsible for the entire amount of the check.
• A US soldier tells you he has found post-Saddam loot and needs your help to get it home.
• A court official calls to say you missed jury duty. They ask for your Social Security number and date of birth to clear things up. Never give personal information to someone who has contacted you over the phone or Internet.
• A Texas company is selling a pill that you can put in your gas tank to get better gas mileage. It is actually moth balls!
• Chances are you didn’t win a foreign lottery...especially when you didn't play!

Please remember there is no such thing as free money. Louisiana FCU is concerned about this growing type of fraud and its affect on members. Please be alert of these popular scams so that you may safeguard your money.