Learn about recent scams and how to recognize the warning signs.

November 2023 | Fraud Department Scam
Fraudsters claiming to be MSGCU’s fraud department may attempt to verify account and card information. If you have received this or similar communications, do not reply or click on any links. Instead call MSGCU directly at (866) 674-2824 or call the number on the back of your card. MSGCU will never ask for your full card information over the phone.

October 2023 | Cryptocurrency Scam (AKA Pig-Butchering Scam)
A recent virtual currency investment scam known as “Pig-butchering” has resulted in billions of dollars being stolen. This scam starts off as a seemingly harmless message, something like, “Hey Joe, it’s Jane. How have you been?”. This individual uses a fake identity and stories in an attempt to converse with and befriend the victim.

As the scam name suggests, the scammers refer to their victims as “pigs” and will use stories and gain trust to “fatten” their victims before “butchering” or “slaughtering” them by stealing their assets. Once these scammers gain their victim’s trust, the scammer convinces them to invest in virtual currency which will later be stolen.

Learn more about “Pig-butchering” and the red flags.

MSGCU recommends these tips to help keep your assets and information safe:

  • Don’t engage with unknown/unexpected phone numbers, texts, social media messages or other communications you may receive.
  • Never click unknown links, especially from numbers you do not recognize or expect a link from.
  • If an investment seems too good to be true and someone is pushing you to invest, it’s probably a scam.
  • Don’t send money to people you have only met online.
  • Never share your password or security pins with others.
  • Keep close tabs on your MSGCU account. Log in to the MSGCU Mobile App or Online Banking often and review your monthly statements. Contact MSGCU if anything doesn’t look correct.
  • Change your password often and use complex passwords for your MSGCU account. Read more about password protection.
  • Set up alerts on your account for added visibility on account changes or transactions.
  • Contact us at (866) 674-2824 immediately if you believe your identity has been compromised.

October 2023 | USPS Scam
Fraudulent text messages, containing fake delivery notifications and tracking links, are being sent to residents claiming to be from the United States Postal Service (USPS). These messages, known as smishing text messages, come from scammers with the goal of stealing personal information such as passwords and credit card numbers, from their victims. With the increase in online shopping and delivery tracking, these scams are becoming more frequent.

MSGCU recommends these tips to help keep your information safe:

  • Do not click unknown links especially from numbers you do not recognize or expect a link from.
  • Never share your password or security pins with others
  • Keep close tabs on your MSGCU account. Log in to the MSGCU Mobile App or Online Banking often and review your monthly statements. Contact MSGCU if anything doesn’t look correct.
  • Change your password often and use complex passwords for your MSGCU account. Read more about password protection.
  • Set up alerts on your account for added visibility on account changes or transactions.
  • Add a password to your MSGCU account for in-person or phone-based transactions for extra protection.
  • Contact us at (866) 674-2824 immediately if you believe your identity has been compromised.

May 2023 | Mail Theft Alert
The Metro Detroit area has experienced a recent increase in mail theft. Criminals steal the contents of the mail, or they attempt to use it for identity theft. To help prevent mail theft, the postal service recommends getting your mail every day and sending outgoing mail by dropping it off at your local post office or handing it directly to a letter carrier.

MSGCU also recommends these tips to help keep your information safe:

  • Keep close tabs on your MSGCU account. Log in to the MSGCU Mobile App or Online Banking often and review your monthly statements. Contact MSGCU if anything doesn’t look correct.
  • Look at check images when they clear (available in the app or Online Banking). Criminals can use sneaky tactics to change the payees of stolen checks, so looking at cleared checks can help you spot fraud quickly.
  • Change your password often and use complex passwords for your MSGCU account. Read more about password protection.
  • Set up alerts on your account for added visibility on account changes or transactions.
  • Add a password to your MSGCU account for in-person or phone-based transactions for extra protection.
  • Contact us at (866) 674-2824 immediately if you believe your identity has been compromised.

April 2023 | Fraudulent Transaction Scam.
An increased number of members are reporting text messages and phone calls from scammers claiming to be from MSGCU. They are falsely claiming a fraudulent transaction has occurred on their account. These scammers then attempt to gather online banking credentials such as username or password and full credit or debit card numbers, including the 3-digit code on the back of the card, to "stop" the fraud.

If you receive a suspicious text message, do not reply, click on text links, or call the number back. Instead, call MSGCU directly at (586) 263-8800 or (866) 674-2848 immediately so we can help. If you receive one of these calls, do not give out any of your account information, especially your Online or Mobile Banking password, or full credit or debit card details. Simply end the call.

While you may receive a call or text from our fraud department for unusual activity on your credit or debit card, we will not ask for detailed account information such as your password, the 3-digit code on the back of your card, and/or expiration date.
Remember: MSGCU will NEVER ask for your online banking password or log-in verification code for fraud protection or to verify your identity.

Read more on our blog: How Text Message Scams Typically Work
image: scammer on computer and texting.

March 2023 | Email and Computer Support Scams.
MSGCU is hearing of increased scam attempts in which criminals posing as reputable computer companies, such as Microsoft or McAfee, trick members into calling them because of computer trouble. Scammers reach out via an email message or a popup message on their victim’s computer. They then lie to their victim to say they have already charged a fee for a service call, and when the victim complains, they say they will process a refund. In this complex scheme, criminals then claim they accidentally over refunded their victim and now that money must be returned.

They then resort to using scare tactics and classic red flags such as:
 - Threatening to take all the victim’s money
 - Threatening that the victim can go to jail for fraud 
 - Coaching exactly what to say, or what NOT to say, to the victim’s bank or credit union

Stay alert to common red flags. And if you believe you may have fallen victim, contact MSGCU at (586) 263-8800 or (866) 674-2848 so we can help.

February 2023 | Fraudulent Transaction Scam.
An increased number of members are reporting text messages and phone calls from scammers claiming to be from MSGCU. They are falsely claiming a fraudulent transaction has occurred on their account. These scammers then attempt to gather online banking credentials such as username or password and full credit or debit card numbers, including the 3-digit code on the back of the card, to "stop" the fraud.

If you receive a suspicious text message, do not reply, click on text links, or call the number back. Instead, call MSGCU directly at (586) 263-8800 or (866) 674-2848 immediately so we can help. If you receive one of these calls, do not give out any of your account information or full credit or debit card details and simply end the call.

While you may receive a call or text from our fraud department for unusual activity on your credit or debit card, we will not ask for detailed account information such the 3-digit code on the back of your card and/or expiration date.

Remember: MSGCU will NEVER ask for your online banking password or log-in verification code for fraud protection or to verify your identity.

Read more on our blog: How Text Message Scams Typically Work
image: scammer on computer and texting.

 

Previous scam alerts

  • Keep close tabs on your MSGCU account. Log in to the MSGCU Mobile App or Online Banking often and review your monthly statements. Contact MSGCU if anything doesn’t look correct.
  • Look at check images when they clear (available in the app or Online Banking). Criminals can use sneaky tactics to change the payees of stolen checks, so looking at cleared checks can help you spot fraud quickly.
  • Change your password often and use complex passwords for your MSGCU account. Read more about password protection.
  • Set up alerts on your account for added visibility on account changes or transactions.
  • Add a password to your MSGCU account for in-person or phone-based transactions for extra protection.
  • Contact us at (866) 674-2824 immediately if you believe your identity has been compromised.
    • December 2022 | Fraudulent Transaction Scam Alert, updated: Members have reported phone calls and text messages from fraudsters pretending to be MSGCU representatives. These scammers may even spoof MSGCU’s phone number.

      They say they are calling about fraudulent transactions on the account and will need your banking details to stop the fraud. These convincing liars tell you they are sending you a security code and ask you to provide a one-time PIN that was sent to you. One-time PINs (called multi-factor authentication) aid in protecting your accounts should someone get ahold of or guesses your password. If you tell them your one-time PIN, these scammers could obtain access and lock you out of your own account, so it’s important not to share it with anyone.

      Scammers will tell you to ignore the security message that accompanies the one-time PIN. Don’t be fooled! MSGCU will never ask for your one-time PIN or online/mobile banking password via phone, text, or email. If someone is asking for it or your account credentials, stop communicating with them immediately and contact MSGCU at (586) 263-8800 or (866) 674-2848 so we can help.
    • November 2022 | Utility Shutoff Scam: There are reports of scammers calling, emailing, and/or texting members claiming to be from their utility company (they even use look-alike phone numbers). The scammer states that they did not receive payment for their utility bill and their service will be turned off. Payment is then requested by a popular app like Zelle, PayPal or Venmo for services to continue.

      Don’t fall victim. If you are unsure if the utility company received your payment, contact them directly, using the contact numbers on your bill or their website (don’t call or text back from your recent interactions). You can also check to see if a payment went through by looking at your transaction history in MSGCU’s Online and Mobile Banking.
    • March 2022 | Fake charity alert. Scammers are attempting to take advantage of charitable efforts supporting the Ukrainian people. Read these tips from the FTC on what to look for so any charitable donations go where you intend, or check out the Charity Search from Michigan’s Attorney General.
    • February 2022 | Resurgence of older scam activities: Members have reported scammers doubling down on old tricks. For example, scammers spoofing reputable companies like Microsoft or Norton attempt to get control of your device, whether computer, tablet, or mobile phone, by offering to “help,” and the “help” includes downloading software that allows scammers to remote in to your device and take control, sometimes including your online accounts. Similar reports include scammers freezing your device and having to pay a fee to unfreeze it.

      Scammers have also posed as popular companies like Amazon or PayPal, claiming they either owe you a refund or want to verify a pending transaction. These fraudsters get trusting victims to divulge personal information like their name and credit card number to “process” the refund or “block” the pending transaction. Unfortunately, neither the refund nor transaction actually exist and the victim's personal information is now compromised.

      Others report fraudsters claiming to be online retailers or other reputable companies who accidentally refunded you more than they should. It’s also popular for imposters claiming to be Norton or Microsoft to claim you signed up for a subscription you did not. In both scenarios, scammers claim to refund you more than you’re due and then ask for the difference back in gift cards, cryptocurrency, wire transfers or cash.

      Be on the lookout for red flags. Any unsolicited calls, texts, or emails asking for money is a red flag. Also be wary of any request to pay in cash, gift cards, cryptocurrency, through Bitcoin ATMs, or wire transfers.

      Never give your account credentials to anyone who contacts you out of the blue. If you receive an unsolicited phone call, text, or email, you can always contact the company directly (do not click links in the email or text). MSGCU recommends updating your account password or locking your debit or credit cards in online or mobile banking if you believe they may have been compromised. And if you believe you’ve been a victim of fraud or a scam, contact MSGCU immediately.

      Remember, MSGCU will NEVER ask for your password, personal identification number (PIN), or log-in verification code.
    • January 2022 | QR Code Scam Alert: QR codes are helpful tools to avoid mistyping long website addresses on your mobile phone by taking a picture with your phone. Scammers are placing fraudulent QR codes in areas where consumers might expect to see them, like restaurants and on parking meters. Their goal is to trick you into providing your personal or payment information. When scanning a QR code, look at the website address that pops up, and look for graphics or other context to make sure you’re in the right place before you give up your information. If you suspect you have been a victim of fraud, please contact MSGCU at (586) 263-8800 or (866) 674-2848 immediately so we can help.
    • January 2022 | Auto Refund Scam Alert: Be alert – auto refund claims have high potential for fraudsters to act. The Michigan Catastrophic Claims Association (MCCA) will begin the process of refunding $400 per vehicle to Michigan drivers in the the second quarter of 2022. If you are contacted by anyone claiming to be a representative of the MCCA, your auto insurance company, or another official, end the communication with the individual reaching out, and contact your auto insurer directly.