Dear Valued Member,
People’s Credit Union would like to share details regarding a current fraud scheme which may be targeted at our members. In this scheme, an individual pretending to be from Microsoft will contact you via phone, possibly from a 425 or 917 area code. The scammer will advise that you have malware on your computer and request you to either click a link or share your computer screen with them so that they may remove the malicious software. The scheme may or may not have a second point of contact, which will be someone disguising themselves as a representative of the Federal Trade Commission (“FTC”). This second caller may request further personal identifying information from you, under the guise the government is aware your identity has been stolen.
In the event you receive a call such as this, please take the following steps:
- Do not click any links sent to you by a representative of “Microsoft” or the “FTC”- neither of these entities would proactively reach out to someone and the calls are scams.
- Do not share your computer with anyone calling from a landline or personal cell phone – this is an attempt to steal your account information.
- Contact the Credit Union regarding your accounts – while we proactively protect all member accounts, there are extensive safety measures that may need to be taken to safeguard your assets.
- Ensure you have up to date antivirus software that is functioning and protecting your computer.
- If you believe your computer has been compromised, seek the services of a known computer technician to remove any malware and update your antivirus protection.
For more information on Tech Support Scams, please visit the Federal Trade Commission’s website at Tech Support Scams | Federal Trade Commission (ftc.gov).
If you have any questions, feel free to contact Erine Lewis, Risk Manager, at (401) 619-1708.
Thank you,
Your Team at People’s Credit Union