Current Alerts

New Recruitment Scam Using Craigslist – January 11, 2010

WESTconsin Credit Union has been notified of advertisements posted on Craigslist as part of a nationwide member recruitment scam. The ads solicit current credit union members and offer $75.00 or more for their assistance with qualifying a new member. This scam is targeting credit unions and members across the country. This is a scam! If you have a question concerning your account, contact WESTconsin by calling (800) 924-0022 or using our Secure Form.

The following are samples of Craigslist ads that are targeting credit union members for this recruitment scam:

If your a ABC Credit Union Member MAKE SOME EXTRA $$

This is NOT a scam! I am willing to call you and discuss extensively! I need a ABC Credit Union Member to sponsor me into the credit union. I am willing to pay $100 USD for this service. Please email me and we can discuss this in detail. This is a 1 day process and I want to become a member for investment account/interest rate purposes.

Need to find a XYZ Credit Union Member

I was just approved for a visa credit card with XYZ Federal Credit Union and they called me and said that they can not process the application if I do not know any existing member or if I am not employed at one of the list of companies they have. To become a member you have to know a member. So now my app is on hold until I can find someone who is already a member. If you know someone, please tell them to contact me.  I am willing to pay $500. And all they ask for is the members name and member number. Thanks.

ABC and XYZ Members Needed!!!

If you are a ABC or XYZ Federal Credit Union member we will pay you $75.00 per member to sponsor other that would like to join the credit union but do not meet the membership requirements. Please email for details.

Bogus Calls Claiming Debit Card Deactivation - October 29, 2009

We have been made aware of a new phone scam that is targeting people with Debit Cards. Some members have received automated cell phone messages stating that all WESTconsin Debit Cards have been deactivated, with instructions to respond to the alert in order to reactivate their cards. This is a scam. If you receive this automated phone message, please ignore it. If you have concerns about your Debit Card, please call WESTconsin directly at your local phone number or (800) 924-0022.

Fraudulent Email - October 21, 2009

WESTconsin Credit Union has been notified that some members are receiving fraudulent email messages. This type of scam is known as Phishing, which is typically carried out by email or instant messaging and often directs users to enter details on a phony website whose look and feel are almost identical to the legitimate one.

Members have been receiving email messages warning that WESTconsin is updating its servers and that to remain compatible, members may want to run an update procedure for SSL certificates. The email provides a link to a fraudulent site which asks members to download a patch, which is actually a virus that will attempt to steal the member’s personal information. Do not respond to these messages! Click here for a sample of the fraudulent email.

WESTconsin will never email or send a text message to our members requesting account information. If you have a question concerning your account, contact WESTconsin by calling your local phone number or using our Secure Form.

Telephone Scam Offers to Lower Credit Card Rates – September 29, 2009

In a recent fraud scheme, scammers are fooling victims by guessing the first number of their credit card and getting the victims’ financial information by offering lower interest rates. It’s important to remember that companies will never call up customers to offer lower interest rates and ask for personal information. It’s easy for scammers to know the first number of the credit card because all Visa credit cards start with a 4, MasterCard numbers start with a 5 and Discover card numbers start with a 6.

Click here to view a local news story on the scam.

Compromised Credit Card Accounts – May 21, 2009

We have received reports that some credit card cardholders have experienced fraud in Illinois.  Effective immediately authorizations originating in Illinois will be blocked at certain merchants.  Please contact us directly if you will be traveling or need to make a purchase in this state so we can remove you from the block.

If you notice any unusual activity, please report it immediately by calling (800) 449-7728.

Compromised Debit Card Accounts - Updated July 30, 2009

In addition to the Heartland Payment Systems security breach there has also been another security breach. Effective immediately authorizations originating from Pennsylvania, Arizona, New Jersey, Florida, Georgia and New York will be blocked at certain merchants. This change impacts only our debit cards and will remain in place until further notice. Please contact us directly if you will be traveling or need to make a purchase in one of these states so we can remove you from the block.

Heartland Payment Systems, a credit and debit card processor for more than 250,000 merchants, has discovered that their system was compromised with fraudulent transactions that occurred between May and November of 2008. This is not a security breach of WESTconsin Credit Union, so your account information has not been compromised.

Be reassured that your account information has not been compromised and we have security measures in place to monitor the transactions. If you notice any unusual transactions, report it immediately by calling call (800) 449-7728.

Text Messaging Scam - January 9, 2009

WESTconsin Credit Union's Service Center Representatives are receiving reports that our members are receiving unsolicited text messages. It’s an attempt at Smishing, the latest form of phishing. In Smishing, an e-mail tries to lure a recipient into giving personal information via SMS, the communications protocol used to send text messages to a wireless device.

Members have been receiving text messages via cell phones warning that their account has had unusual transactions. It then tells them they need to reply with their account information. Do not respond to these messages as they are attempts to obtain your personal information.

WESTconsin Credit Union will never email or text message requesting account information. If you have a question concerning your account, contact WESTconsin Credit Union.

Credit Card Security Code Scam - November 24, 2008

A new twist on phishing aims to obtain the three-digit security code printed on the back of VISA and MasterCard credit and debit cards. The phishers are trying to get enough information to perform fraudulent card-not-present transactions (Internet, telephone and mail-order purchases). Under this scam, a telephone call is placed to a legitimate cardholder. The caller claims to be a representative from VISA or MasterCard informing the cardholder of suspicious card activity. The caller provides details of an unusual transaction and asks if the cardholder made this purchase, which, of course, the cardholder did not. The cardholder is then asked to verify possession of the card. To do so, the cardholder is asked to read the three-digit security code on the back of the card. The fraudster then provides a control number in the event the cardholder needs to call back with questions, making the call seem legitimate.

The caller does not ask for the credit or debit card number, and that is why some members are fooled into believing the call is legitimate. But the fraudster already has the card number; what they don’t have is the three-digit security code from the back of the card, and that is what they are after with this scam.

The three-digit code on the back of the Visa or MasterCard card is a security tool used for non face-to-face transactions. When conducting transactions that are not face-to-face, many merchants will ask the shopper for the three-digit code to complete a card authorization. If the criminal obtains this three-digit number and already has your member ’s card number, card expiration date and billing address, the criminal may be able to obtain authorization for fraudulent transactions.

Never respond to any e-mail, telephone call, voice message, text message or letter received through the mail that requests personal and financial information, including the three-digit number on the back of your credit card.

"Smishing" Alert - June 27, 2008

Credit unions across the country are reporting that their member’s are receiving unsolicited text messages. It’s an attempt at Smishing, the latest form of phishing. In Smishing, an e-mail tries to lure a recipient into giving personal information via SMS, the communications protocol used to send text messages to a wireless device.

Members receive a text message via cell phone warning that their bank account has been closed due to suspicious activity. It then tells them they need to call a certain phone number to reactivate the account. Unsuspecting callers who dial the number provided in the text message will be taken to an automated voice mail box that prompts them to key in their credit card or debit card number, expiration date, and PIN to verify their information.

If you have a question concerning your account or credit/debit card, contact WESTconsin Credit Union.