Fraud Alerts
Recent Scams
Check here for recent scam alerts put out by our credit union and read our blogs for tips on how to avoid becoming a victim of identity theft or fraud.
Helpful Reminders:
- Remember, Hawaii State FCU will never call, text or email members asking for sensitive information, including your Digital Banking credentials, account numbers, passwords, or multi-factor authentication (MFA) one-time passcodes.
- Scams can occur via phone, email, or even text message. Scammers can even spoof phone numbers to make calls look like they are coming from “Hawaii State FCU” or “HSFCU.” Always exercise caution if you receive an unsolicited call or message. Hang up immediately if the unsolicited caller requests sensitive information, and do not respond to suspicious emails or texts.
- If in doubt, verify the authenticity of any communication you receive from Hawaii State FCU by contacting us directly using our official contact information. You can also find official contact information on your account statements.
-
If you feel like you may be a victim of a scam, immediately call our Member Service Call Center Oahu: (808) 587-2700, Toll-free: 1 (888) 586-1056, or visit us at any of our convenient locations.
We have received recent reports of scammers sending fraudulent texts posing as Hawaii State FCU. These texts are designed to create a sense of urgency, asking people to verify a large transaction they did not make and providing a fraudulent link or phone number to “cancel” the transaction. Upon clicking the link, you are taken to a malicious site; calling the phone number will connect you to a fake credit union representative.
Hawaii State FCU will NEVER send text message notifications that contain links. If you receive a suspicious text, call or email, do not click on any links or provide personal information. Use Digital Banking or call our Member Service Call Center at (808) 587-2700 or U.S. Toll-Free at (888) 586-1056 to check if there has been any unauthorized activity on your account(s). If you suspect you are the victim of fraud, contact Hawaii State FCU immediately to report it.
In this scam, individuals pretending to be representatives from HSFCU Fraud Department, are contacting members via phone calls, text message, or emails. They claim there has been suspicious activity detected on the members account and request sensitive information such as Card and CVS numbers, passwords or OLB credentials and personal identification details.
Several members have also reported receiving calls and voicemails regarding American Airlines charges. Message claims the airlines in trying to withdrawal from the members debit card or requesting to validate card information for a charge from American Airlines.
We were made aware of a scam involving imposters posing as Hawaii State FCU employees, calling and alerting members that there are errors on their account and requesting digital banking credentials, personal and account information. These scammers are able to make the calls look like they are coming from our Member Service Call Center’s line, (888) 586-1056, which led some members to believe these calls were legitimate.
We were made aware of a scam involving imposters posing as Hawaii State FCU employees, calling and alerting members that there are errors on their account and requesting digital banking credentials, personal and account information. These scammers are able to make the calls look like they are coming from our Member Service Call Center’s line, (888) 586-1056, which led some members to believe these calls were legitimate.
Common Types of Fraud and Scams
Fraud is when someone uses deception for personal or financial gain. Scammers are constantly finding new ways to steal your money. You can protect yourself by knowing what to look out for. Here are some of the most common types of fraud and scams.
Imposter Scams
By far, the most common type of fraud is the imposter scam. Imposter scammers try to convince you to send money by pretending to be someone you know or trust like a local, state, or federal government employee, or charity organization.
What to do: Remember, caller ID can be faked. Avoid acting immediately. Instead, call the organization or government agency to get the real story, and decide whether you should proceed. Only call the number that’s found on their official website. Keep in mind that government officials and agencies would never call you about official business or ask you to wire money or purchase gift cards.
Phishing Scams
Phishing occurs when a fraudster impersonates a legitimate company or organization primarily through email, telephone, or text message in an attempt to lure recipients into revealing confidential information such as their Social Security number, passwords, pin numbers and more. This information is then used to commit identity theft, usually to apply for a fraudulent credit card or other means of financial gain.
What to do: Be cautious of unsolicited phone calls or messages asking for personal or banking information. Legitimate financial institutions will never ask for online banking credentials or personal confidential information over the phone or through messages. Do not click on links or attachments in messages from a number that you don’t recognize. Do an online search to verify the website or phone number yourself and contact the entity to confirm the validity of the email or text you received.
Identity Theft
Identity theft is one of the most common forms of Internet banking fraud. Identity theft occurs when a criminal obtains or uses the personal information, e.g., name, password, Social Security number (SSN), date of birth, etc., of someone else to assume their identity or access their accounts for the purpose of committing fraud, receiving benefits, or gaining financially in some way.
What to do: Do not give your personal information to someone who calls, emails, or texts you. It could be a scammer trying to steal your information. Consistently review your bank account and credit card and statements. If you notice anything unusual, such as unfamiliar transactions and charges report it immediately to your financial institution.
If you become a victim of identity theft, this step-by-step Identity Fraud Recovery Checklist will help you through the reporting and recovery process.
Prize, Sweepstakes and Lottery Scams
These scams start with great news: You’ve won a prize. There’s a catch. They will ask you to pay money or provide an account number upfront for fees and taxes before you can claim the prize. An account number can allow a criminal to siphon money out of your account, and money paid to collect your prize is gone forever.
What to do: Ignore any emails saying you won a foreign lottery. And if you didn’t enter a contest in the first place, know that you didn’t win. Real sweepstakes are free, by chance and almost always require you to enter to win.
Romance Scams
Romance scammers create fake profiles on dating sites and apps or contact you through popular social media sites. You meet someone special on a dating website or app. Soon they want to email, call, or message you off the platform. They say it’s true love, but they live far away — maybe for work or because they’re in the military. Then they start asking for money. Maybe it’s for a plane ticket to visit you. Or emergency surgery. Or something else urgent.
What to do: Be smart about who you connect with and what information you share online. Never send money to someone you don’t know, even if they’ve professed their love to you. Never share sensitive personal information, such as bank account or credit card numbers, Social Security number, with a new love connection.
Sources:
Federal Trade Commission | Consumer Financial Protection Bureau | Identity Theft.gov | NCUA Fraud Detection Resources
Protect Yourself Against Common Ploys
Imposter Scams: Know the Signs
An imposter scam uses “spoofing,” posing as a legitimate individual or business, to convince a target that they are communicating with a trusted source.
find out more
Don't Be "Phished In" By Identity Thieves
Scammers are becoming increasingly sophisticated with the deceptive texts, emails and messages they use to trick people into divulging personal information.
find out more
Avoid Becoming a Victim
Be careful with what you share online and use a variety of passwords. Learn more about ways to make it more difficult for scammers to target you.
learn moreProtecting Your Accounts
Learn more about tips, tools and resources to protect yourself and keep your finances safe.
Learn More