Fraud Alerts

SCAM ALERT: FAKE FORECLOSURE REVIEW OFFERS

In November 2011, federal bank regulators ordered certain mortgage servicers to identify consumers whose homes faced foreclosure between January 1, 2009 and December 31, 2010. These consumers should have received a letter by the end of 2011 indicating that they may request an independent review of their foreclosure. If the review finds that the homeowner suffered financial injury caused by deficiencies in the foreclosure process, they may be eligible for compensation. There is no cost associated with the federal government's Independent Foreclosure Review program.

Unfortunately, scam artists are also contacting Oregon consumers and offering to conduct an "Independent Foreclosure Home Loan Review" or a "securitization review" for a fee. Attorney General John Kroger warns Oregonians to steer clear of independent foreclosure review scams.

Beware of anyone who wants payment to assist you with an independent foreclosure review or any other homeowner assistance or foreclosure prevention program If you receive a letter suggesting that you qualify for compensation or received a grant without having requested an independent review from the federal government, it is a scam A government agency will never request your contact information, Social Security number, banking information, or credit card numbers in an email Steer clear of anyone who claims they can guarantee a permanent mortgage modification or halt the foreclosure process

More information can be found at http://www.independentforeclosurereview.com. If you received a notification about an independent foreclosure review and are unsure of its authenticity, contact the Federal Reserve Board at 888-952-9105 or learn more at What You Need to Know: Independent Foreclosure Review. If you or someone you know is facing foreclosure, there are many free HUD-approved housing counselors around Oregon. Visit http://foreclosurehelp.oregon.gov for more information.

September 1, 2011 VISA/MasterCard Fraud Scam

Just a heads up for everyone regarding the latest in Visa fraud. Royal Bank received this communication about the newest scam. This is happening in the Midwest right now and moving.

This one is pretty slick since they provide YOU with all the information, except the one piece they want.

Note, the callers do not ask for your card number; they already have it.

This information is worth reading. By understanding how the VISA & MasterCard telephone Credit Card Scam works, you'll be better prepared to protect yourself. One of our employees was called on Wednesday from 'VISA', and I was called on Thursday from 'MasterCard'.

The scam works like this:

Person calling says - 'This is (name), and I'm calling from the Security and Fraud Department at VISA. My Badge number is 12460, Your card has been flagged for an unusual purchase pattern, and I'm calling to verify.. This would be on your VISA card which was issued by (name of bank). Did you purchase an Anti-Telemarketing Device for $497.99 from a marketing company based in Arizona?' When you say 'No', the caller continues with, 'Then we will be issuing a credit to your account. This is a company we have been watching and the charges range from $297 to $497, just under the $500 purchase pattern that flags most cards. Before your next statement, the credit will be sent to (gives you your address), is that correct?' You say 'yes'.

The caller continues - 'I will be starting a Fraud Investigation. If you have any questions, you should call the 1- 800 number listed on the back of your card (1-800-VISA) and ask for Security. You will need to refer to this Control Number. The caller then gives you a 6 digit number. 'Do you need me to read it again?'

Here's the IMPORTANT part on how the scam works - The caller then says, 'I need to verify you are in possession of your card'. He'll ask you to 'turn your card over and look for some numbers'. There are 7 numbers; the first 4 are part of your card number, the last 3 are the Security Numbers that verify you are the possessor of the card. These are the numbers you sometimes use to make Internet purchases to prove you have the card. The caller will ask you to read the last 3 numbers to him. After you tell the caller the 3 numbers, he'll say, 'That is correct, I just needed to verify that the card has not been lost or stolen, and that you still have your card Do you have any other questions?'

After you say no, the caller then thanks you and states, 'Don't hesitate to call back if you do', and hangs up. You actually say very little, and they never ask for or tell you the card number. But after we were called on Wednesday, we called back. Within 20 minutes to ask a question. Are we were glad we did! The REAL VISA Security Department told us it was a scam and in the last 15 minutes a new purchase of $497.99 was charged to our card. We made a real fraud report and closed the VISA account. VISA is reissuing us a new number.

What the scammers want is the 3-digit PIN number on the back of the card. Don't give it to them. Instead, tell them you'll call VISA or Master Card directly for verification of their conversation.

The real VISA told us that they will never ask for anything on the card as they already know the information since they issued the card! If you give the scammers your 3 Digit PIN Number, you think you're receiving a credit; however, by the time you get your statement you'll see charges for purchases you didn't make, and by then it's almost too late and/or more difficult to actually file a fraud report.

What makes this more remarkable is that on Thursday, I got a call from a 'Jason Richardson of MasterCard' with a word-for-word repeat of the VISA Scam. This time I didn't let him finish. I hung up! We filed a police report, as instructed by VISA. The police said they are taking several of these reports daily! They also urged us to tell everybody we know that this scam is happening. I dealt with a similar situation this morning, with the caller telling me that $3,097 had been charged to my account for plane tickets to Spain, and so on through the above routine.

It appears that this Is a very active scam, and evidently quite successful.

AUG 29, 2011 WELLS FARGO PHISHING SCAM

The Oregon Department of Justice Consumer Hotline has received a surge of complaints about telephone calls claiming to be from Wells Fargo Bank. The caller is telling consumers that their debit cards are locked and that they should provide their debit card number to bank security. This is a phishing scam.

Oregon Attorney General John Kroger reminds Oregonians that legitimate financial institutions will never ask you for debit card, bank account or social security numbers, or for sensitive information, like your username or password, over the phone or by email.

• Never respond to phone calls or emails soliciting personal information. If you suspect it might be legitimate, pick-up the phone and call the company to confirm.
• Do not click on any links embedded in phishing emails. They may contain viruses or malware designed to steal your personal information.
• Make sure your computer has up to date anti-virus software.

The Attorney General's Consumer Hotline received nine complaints since late last week from the Portland area and the Willamette Valley about this scam. This is a significant number of calls for such a short period of time.

Anyone who believes they have been approached by a scammer should contact the Oregon Department of Justice at 1-877-877-9392 or www.oregonattorneygeneral.gov

JULY 27, 2011 GREEN DOT SWEEPSTAKES SCAM

Attorney General John Kroger is warning Oregonians to not respond to unsolicited "sweepstakes" phone calls. Both the Marion County Sheriff's Office and the Department of Justice's Consumer Hotline have received reports about suspicious callers who notify consumers that they have won a sweepstakes and then instruct them to purchase a prepaid credit card to cover "taxes" or "fees" associated with collecting their cash prize.

One Marion County resident was contacted on his cell phone earlier this week by a con artist who asked him to purchase three $1,000 Green Dot MoneyPak credit cards. In order to collect his sweepstakes prize, the man was told he must call an Idaho number and read the serial numbers off the back of the cards. Fortunately, he smelled a rat and called the Marion County Sheriff's Office instead.

Bogus sweepstakes and lottery offers are among the most common types of scams run by crooks who seek to rip off Oregon consumers. These operations are often run by perpetrators located outside the United States - making it very difficult for law enforcement agencies to track them down. In 2010 the Department received 1,054 complaints about international money schemes, with $1,999,323 in reported losses - more than double the $707,783 reportedly lost in 2009.

Attorney General Kroger offers the following advice to consumers when it comes to unsolicited telephone calls, mail or e-mail about a sweepstakes or lottery:

• Never pay to play in a sweepstakes.
• Never pay money to claim a prize.
• Do not give out your prepaid credit card number to someone you don't know (learn more about Green Dot prepaid cards ).
• Participating in a foreign lottery is illegal and such lotteries often have close ties to organized crime.
• Beware of fake organizations that go by names similar to more widely-known groups in order to trick consumers.
• Government agencies do not sponsor sweepstakes.
• Beware of requests for information about your income, credit card ownership, or bank accounts as a condition of participating in a sweepstakes or lottery.
• Do not participate in sweepstakes or respond to advertisements that resemble a check, bill or invoice.
• Destroy fake sweepstakes or lottery offers by shredding or deleting them.

The Oregon Department of Justice Consumer Hotline, 1-877-877-9392, is a free resource for all Oregonians with consumer-related questions, concerns or complaints. If you or someone you know has fallen victim to a sweepstakes or lottery scam, please contact the Consumer Hotline for assistance.

Fake Debt Collection Scams

The Oregon Department of Justice has received several complaints regarding phony debt collection calls. Scam artists pose as debt collectors or law enforcement officers calling about an outstanding debt from an online payday loan. They frequently use fake phone numbers and official sounding business names. They also do their research. Some Oregonians have been tricked into paying nonexistent debt because the scam artist knew personal information about them, including their Social Security number, home address, e‐mail, and names of family and personal references.

The majority of debt collectors abide by the rules of fair debt collection practices. Not only are these phony debt collectors stealing from Oregon consumers, the tactics they are using are illegal. Attorney General Kroger reminds Oregonians that debt collectors may not:

• Harass or abuse you or any third party. Harassment includes using threats of violence, obscene language, or repeatedly calling simply to annoy
• Claim to be a government or law enforcement representative
• Misrepresent the amount owed
• Use a fake company name
• Give false credit information about you to anyone
• Suggest you have committed a crime
• Send fake ʺofficial documentsʺ from a court or government agency
• Deposit a post‐dated check early
• Take or threaten to take your property unless it can be done legally

Under the Fair Debt Collection Practices Act collectors must send written notice of the debt within five days of initial contact. The notice should include information about the debt, the name of the creditor, and notice that the consumer has 30 days to dispute the debt in writing.

If you or someone you know has fallen victim to a fake debt collection scam, please call the Consumer Hotline at 1‐877‐877‐9392 for assistance.

Fashion Model Rip-Off

Oregon Attorney General John Kroger reminds Oregonians to be on the lookout for questionable modeling opportunities advertised on the internet. Although a perpetual problem, scam artists will often exploit current events, such as Portland's 2010 ʺFashion Week,ʺ as a means to give legitimacy to their scams.

Modeling scams come in a variety of forms, but one thing they all have in common is the scam artists behind them assume youʹre all beauty and no brains.

Following are a few of the more common internet modeling scams:

The ʺSurprise! Its Not a Job Interview but a High‐Pressure Sales Pitchʺ Scam

You respond to a ʺjobʺ announcement online, and what you think is an interview for a modeling job turns into a high‐pressure sales pitch for modeling or acting classes, ʺshootsʺ or ʺscreen tests.ʺ The salesperson seems eager to assist you with your modeling career, but you must first pay them hundreds or thousands of dollars. Itʹs all an act! Never sign a document without reading and understanding it first—ask for a blank copy of the contract and take it home to review with someone you trust.

The ʺHurry: This Opportunity Won't Last Longʺ Scam

Scam artists draft fake online ads for bogus modeling opportunities with the caveat that you must first pay to learn more about the opportunity. You may be required to pay for a monthly subscription to a ʺtalent serviceʺ or a ʺlimited offer on a discounted photo shoot,ʺ or wire money to cover the cost of a ʺbooking agent.ʺ Donʹt be deceived by smooth sales talk—request an in‐person meeting before you agree to pay for a modeling agent or scout. And remember: if it sounds too good to be true, it usually is.

The ʺEasy Money for Small Workʺ Scam

Be leery of claims about high salaries. Successful models in smaller markets can earn $75 to $100 an hour, but the work is irregular. Ask the company for references. Get the names and contact information of models and actors who have successfully secured work through the company. When possible, request local contacts and try to meet with the referred contact in person.

The ʺHereʹs a Check for the Photo Sessionʺ Scam

Some scam artists try to attract your attention to modeling work with promises of free ʺphoto shootsʺ and paid trips to New York City. After you express an interest in their offer, the crook will send you a fake check as ʺadvanced paymentʺ for the photo session. The crook then will ask you to wire transfer some of the counterfeit funds to a ʺphotographer,ʺ ʺstudio,ʺ or ʺbooking agentʺ to seal the deal. NEVER WIRE MONEY as a means to secure a job. Money transfers are the preferred means for international scam artists to steal money—the money is hard to trace and the victim does not realize they have been scammed until after their bank notifies them that the original check they deposited is worthless.

The ʺYou Have the Cutest Baby Everʺ Scam

Bogus talent agents will try to convince proud parents and relatives that their child is modeling material and offer to set up a professional photo session for the little tyke. In reality, the modeling market for infants and toddlers is small. Moreover, because an infantʹs look will change quickly, rendering photos outdated, very few infants are marketed with professional photos. Legitimate agents, producers and advertising agencies will ask for casual snapshots.

Not all modeling agents or schools are bad—do your homework to make sure your beauty can truly shine. Here are a few quick tips to avoid a model rip‐off:

• Get everything in writing, including promises that have been made orally.
• Keep copies of important papers, such as your contract with the company and any literature or company advertisements.
• Be leery of companies that only accept payment by cash or money order ‐ this is how scam artists prefer to be paid.
• Ask the agency for a list of specific jobs where it has placed its models and contact those companies to verify the agencyʹs claims.
• Be suspicious of a company that requires an up‐front fee to serve as your agent.
• Steer clear of companies that require you to use a specific photographer, rather, compare fees and work quality of several photographers.
• Check out the company with both the Better Business Bureau, and Oregon Department of Justiceʹs online complaint research tool: Be InfORmed.

The Oregon Department of Justice Consumer Hotline, 1‐877‐877‐9392, is a free resource for all Oregonians with consumer questions, concerns or complaints.

Attorney General Kroger and the Oregon Department of Justice are dedicated to fighting fraud and helping consumers who have been deceived by modeling agencies or schools. If you or someone you know has been deceived by a modeling scam, please contact the Consumer Hotline for assistance.

Beware Bogus Sweepstakes Letters

Attorney General John Kroger is warning Oregonians not to respond to an unsolicited ʺsweepstakesʺ letter claiming that the recipient has ʺwonʺ money and only needs to pay a small fee to obtain it. The Department of Justice Consumer Hotline has received calls inquiring about a letter from the ʺData Release Divisionʺ based in Jericho, New York. The letter claims to be a ʺguaranteed sweepstakes award,ʺ notifying the recipient they have won $1.4 million. In reality, this letter is a deceptive solicitation than seeks money from unsuspecting Oregon consumers.

The Department of Justice has sent a letter to the ʺData Release Divisionʺ ordering the company to cease mailing this deceptive letter to Oregon consumers or face sanctions for violating Oregonʹs the Unlawful Trade Practices Act.

Bogus sweepstakes and lottery offers are among the most common scams that seek to rip off consumers. In 2009, more than 1,000 Oregon consumers reported losing in excess of $700,000 to sweepstakes, lottery, and other scams.

Attorney General Kroger offers the following advice regarding unsolicited telephone calls, mail, or email claiming that the recipient won a sweepstakes or lottery:

• Participating in a foreign lottery is illegal. Often these schemes are closely tied to organized crime.
• Never pay‐to‐play in a sweepstakes.
• Beware of fake organizations using similar names to more well‐known groups in an attempt to trick consumers.
• Government agencies do not sponsor sweepstakes.
• Never wire money to receive a prize. Con artists frequently send victims fake checks as a ʺfirst down‐paymentʺ of their winnings, asking that a percentage be wired back under the misrepresentation that it will be used to ʺpay taxesʺ associated with the ʺwinnings.ʺ These fake checks can sit in one's checking account for up to a week before ultimately bouncing.
• Beware of requests for income, credit card ownership, or bank accounts as a condition of participating in the sweepstakes or lottery.
• Do not participate in sweepstakes, or respond to advertisements, that resemble a check, bill, or invoice.

The Oregon Department of Justice Consumer Hotline, 1‐877‐877‐9392, is a free resource for all Oregonians with consumer questions, concerns or complaints. If consumers receive fake sweepstakes or lottery offers please shred or delete the offer. If you or someone you know has fallen victim to a sweepstakes or lottery scam, please contact the Consumer Hotline for assistance.

July 7, 2011: Oregon Attorney General John Kroger's SCAM ALERT

COMPUTER UNSECURITY

The Oregon Department of Justice has received more than a dozen complaints about scam artists attempting to gain remote access to Oregonians' computers. These scammers contact consumers by phone or email claiming to work for a computer company and that the consumer's computer is at extreme risk of being infected with viruses or malware due to tremendous amounts of internet activity. They offer to walk the consumer through security measures to protect their computer, and in an ironic twist, lead the consumer to download the very malware they are warning them about, and gain access to sensitive financial information.

One consumer in Lane County reported falling victim to a scammer claiming to work for a New York-based company called Login4Speed. A letter sent by the Oregon Department of Justice to the company's listed address - 257 Albany Road, New York, New York, 10280 - was returned as undeliverable. The scammer likely used a bogus United States address to appear legitimate but is actually operating from overseas.

Last year Oregonians reported losing nearly $2 million to scams. Attorney General Kroger offers the following advice to avoid falling victim:

• If you receive an unsolicited email or phone call claiming your computer is at risk or needs attention, hang up or delete the email. Never open attachments or click on links from suspicious emails.

• Make sure your computer has up to date anti-virus software. Perform a virus scan on a regular basis. 

• Pop-up ads commonly carry malware. Do not be enticed by fake offers of "free" stuff, surveys or contests. Also, never provide personal information through pop-up ads. 

• If you suspect a virus or malware is lurking on your computer, stop shopping, banking, and other online activities that involve user names, passwords, or other sensitive information. 

• For more on what to do in an e-mergency see: www.onguardonline.gov

If you receive a suspicious solicitation but are unsure whether or not you are the target of a scam, please call the Oregon Department of Justice Consumer Hotline at 1-877-877-9392.

May 25, 2010: NCUA Email Box Scam

The National Credit Union Administration (NCUA) is reporting recently simulated NCUA email boxes. The fraudulent emails solicit credit union member participation in an Online Survey or Member Survey, and promise compensation of $40 as an inducement to respond to the email.

The emails are fraudulent, and may be an attempt to obtain confidential member information. NCUA does not solicit such information from credit union members. This is a phishing activity with no NCUA activity or approval. If you have received these emails please do not respond. If you have any questions or concerns, please email the NCUA at pacamail@ncua.gov.

The National Credit Union Administration is the independent federal agency that regulates charters and supervises federal credit unions. NCUA, with the backing of the full faith and credit of the U.S. government, also operates and manages the National Credit Union Share Insurance Fund, insuring the deposits of nearly 90 million account holders in all federal credit unions and the majority of state- chartered credit unions

June 11, 2010: Con Artists Taking Advantage Of Medicare Rebate

Attorney General John Kroger warns Oregon seniors and other Medicare recipients not to provide personal information to anyone calling about the Medicare $250 rebate check.

The Affordable Care Act passed by Congress and signed by President Obama earlier this year contains some important benefits for Medicare recipients. Beginning June 10, 2010, many Medicare recipients will receive a one-time, tax-free $250 rebate check. Those who qualify for the tax-free $250 rebate will automatically receive their check; no additional information or actions are required to receive the rebate.

Most Medicare drug plans have a coverage gap. Medicare recipients on expensive or numerous drugs can find themselves paying the full cost of their prescription out-of- pocket while in the coverage gap. The term "donut hole" refers to the coverage gap under Plan D, where Medicare stops paying pharmaceutical coverage at $2,830 before it starts paying again at $4,550. The one-time $250 tax-free rebate check for folks that enter the "donut hole" is the federal government's first step toward closing the Medicare prescription drug coverage gap.

Scam artists are already trying profit by spreading misinformation about the $250 rebate checks. To avoid falling for the scam, Attorney General John Kroger offers the following advice:

• Do not give out personal information to anyone calling about the $250 rebate check.
• Unless a Medicare beneficiary is already receiving Medicare Extra Help, anybody with Medicare prescription drug coverage is automatically eligible for the one- time $250 rebate check.
• The check will automatically be sent to qualifying recipients. • Recipients do not need to provide any personal information like their Medicare,
• Social Security, or bank account number to receive the rebate check.
• There are no additional forms to fill out.
• The rebate is tax-free.

Medicare recipients can make sure the government has their correct home address by calling Social Security at 1-800-772-1213.

For more information, or to report a scam artist, call 1-800-MEDICARE. Additionally, the Attorney General's Consumer Hotline can help people with rebate check questions at 1-877-877-9392.

January 1, 2010: FBI issues Haitian relief fraud alert

Internet users who receive appeals to donate funds in the aftermath of Tuesday's earthquake in Haiti need to perform their due diligence before responding to the requests, said the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI).

Credit unions might want to warn members that past tragedies and natural disasters have prompted criminals to solicit contributions that they claim are for a charitable organization or a good cause.

• Before making any donation, consumers should use these guidelines, said the FBI.
• Do not respond to any unsolicited (spam) incoming emails, including clicking links contained within the messages;
• Be skeptical of individuals representing themselves as surviving victims or officials asking for donations via email or social networking sites;
• Verify the legitimacy of nonprofit organizations by using Internet-based resources to assist in confirming the group's existence and its nonprofit status rather than following a purported link to the site;
• Be cautious of emails that claim to show photos of the disaster areas in attached files because these files may contain viruses. Only open attachments from known senders;
• Make contributions directly to known organizations rather than relying on others to make the donation on your behalf to ensure contributions are received and used for intended purposes; and
• Do not give personal or financial information to anyone soliciting contributions; providing that information may compromise your identity and make you vulnerable to identity theft.

The agency said anyone receiving a suspicious email or anyone who becomes a victim of such incidents should notify the Internet Crime Complaint Center, known as IC3.

Credit Union Credit Card Phone Scam

An Oregon Credit Union has had members, and non-members, contact them with complaints that they are receiving phone calls purporting to be from this Oregon Credit Union that state if they don't verify their credit card, their accounts will be shut down. The call states to either enter their 16-digit card number or call an 800 number. One report indicated that the caller ID showed the call coming from a number in California.

These types of scams done over the phone are known as "vishing." They are similar to "phishing" scams, which are done over email. Both are attempts to gain non-public personal information to commit fraud.

THESE ARE SCAMS. Old West Federal Credit Union, nor any other financial institution, would ask members to verify information in this manner.

Debit Card Phone Scam

We have been informed of a phone scam affecting a credit union in Oregon, where automated messages were left that said: "Your debit card from (actual bank or credit union name) was suspended due to suspicious fraud activity." They were then asked to call a phone number where they were prompted for their card number, PIN and expiration date.

Please, never disclose your account information to unknown individuals!

At this time, Old West Federal Credit Union has an automatic fraud calling system for our CREDIT CARDS called "Falcon." They will ask for an identifying piece of information as verification that you are the cardholder. If they leave a message, when you call back they have other verification methods (nothing to do with your card information) they will use. Our DEBIT CARDS program at this time has no automated system and you would be contacted by an Old West Federal Credit Union staff member.

This is a good time to make sure we have all current information on file for you. We can also store a "code word" on our system to further verify who we are talking to. If you have not given us a "code word" please notify us with one as soon as you can.

It is also very important that you keep us informed of any changes in your address or phone, as it is time critical for us to be able to contact you if we receive a possible fraud notice. If we can't reach you, your transaction may be denied until we can verify it is actually you making the purchase in question.

Remember, you can always call and talk with us if you are suspicious of a call you have received. Old West Federal Credit Union is here to help any way we can!!

Phishing Scam

The Credit Union Association of Oregon reports an active phishing scam attempting to steal account information.

The reports indicate that a call is received from an automated phone message identifying them as an actual credit union. The caller states they are from the "billing and payments department" of "XYZ" credit union, and instructs the person to enter their debit/Visa card number. If a number is not entered, the caller repeats the instructions several more times. If no information is provided, after several attempt to get the card number, the caller hangs up. If the number is provided, the caller goes on to ask for additional information such as CVC and PIN.

Please be alert and do not provide any personal or financial information over the phone or via email. If someone calls you trying to solicit personal information, call your credit union immediately!

For more information on consumer phishing information, visit http://www.phishinginfo.org/ or http://www.fraud.org/tips/internet/phishing.htm

Credit Union Phone Scam

The Credit Union Association of Oregon reports an active Phishing scam attempting to steal account information.

The reports indicate that a call is received from an automated phone message identifying them as an actual credit union. The caller states they are from the "billing and payments department" of "XYZ" credit union, and instructs the person to enter their debit/VISA card number. If a number is not entered, the caller repeats the instructions several more times. If no information is provided, after several attempt to get the card number, the caller hangs up. If the number is provide the caller goes on to ask for additional information such as CVC and PIN.

Please be alert and do not provide any personal or financial information over the phone or via email. If someone calls you trying to solicit personal information call your credit union immediately!

Consumer Phishing information links:

• http://www.phishinginfo.org/
• http://www.fraud.org/tips/internet/phishing.htm

'Tis The Season (For Charity Scams)

Shortly after Hurricane Katrina slammed into the Gulf Coast, a website sprang up asking for donations for an ex-Air Force pilot who said he'd evacuated local political figures before the storm made landfall and was now airlifting medical supplies and rescuing critical patients with his own money.

It was all a scam. The man wasn't a pilot, and he never delivered any supplies. He was simply pocketing the money collected through his website. Following an FBI investigation, he's now in jail for fraud.

You'd think that con artists would be LESS likely to strike following a major tragedy. Not so. We've seen them prey on the rising tide of goodwill and generosity in disaster after disaster—from Hurricane Katrina to the Asian tsunami, from the Sago mine tragedy to the London terrorist bombings. And they're MORE LIKELY to con you at this time of year, when they know you're in a giving mood—and perhaps thinking of year-end tax deductions.

Don't Let It Happen to You.

The holidays are a time for giving, but not for giving unwisely. Jack Liao, a supervisory special agent at FBI Headquarters who specializes in fraud investigations, has some advice to reduce your chances of getting scammed:

"Our basic rule of thumb is: when in doubt, check it out," says Liao. "Ask a lot of questions and get information in writing if you're not sure about a charity. If you get fuzzy or unsatisfying answers about the charity, its fundraising activities, and the tax- deductibility of donations, think about taking your money elsewhere."

"Make sure you get the actual name, address, and phone number of the charity before giving. Then check it out by going to the IRS website at www.irs.gov, which has an updated list of legitimate charities and non-profit groups, or by calling the IRS toll-free at (877) 829-5500. Another useful website is http://www.give.org, part of the Better Business Bureau's Wise Giving Alliance."

"Don't ever, ever give out personal or financial information to anyone who has contacted you out of the blue. That's just leaving yourself wide open to the theft of your money and your identity."

"Don't be intimidated into giving. You have the right to say no. If you're really unsure who you're talking with, just tell them you want to do some checking first and ask for a way to contact them later if you decide to give."

Should you exercise due diligence even if there are no major charity drives this holiday season?

"Absolutely," says Liao. "There is more giving during the holidays overall and just about any cause can be exploited. So be crime smart. Don't give unless you're really sure about who you're giving to."

What if you do get scammed?

"Contact the Federal Trade Commission toll-free at (877) FTC-HELP. Also report the fake charity to the state attorney general where you live and/or where the charity is located. By stepping forward, you can help put these scam artists out of business." And that's a holiday gift that keeps on giving.

Phishing is Email Fraud

Recently, there has been a new email fraud attempt, known as "Phishing" that was initiated via email sent to both the general public and to some credit union members that appeared to be from Card Services for Credit Unions. This false email asked for the recipient to click on a link and participate in a survey and earn $50 for their time. If the recipient proceeded to do so, the link directed them to a false website and asked for secure account information.

Card Services for Credit Unions does not ask credit unions members for such personal information. And will never contact CU members directly. Anyone who receives an email that purports to be from CSCU and asks for sensitive account information should consider it to be a fraudulent attempt to obtain their personal account data for an illegal purpose and should not follow the instructions in the email.

If you responded to such an email and provided any confidential account information, please notify Old West FCU immediately of the scheme.

Formal complaints can be filed with http://www.IC3.gov.