March 2024
Phone Spoofing Scam…
All members should be on the lookout for any communications claiming to be associated with Benchmark FCU. Scammers are spoofing financial institution’s identities by using their real phone numbers to appear on Caller IDs.
FRIENDLY REMINDER:
- We will never call or text asking our members for personal information
- NEVER voluntarily give out personal information such as account numbers, credit and debit card information, or passwords
- Do not respond to unknown text messages
- Immediately hang up if you suspect the call might be a scam
- Please contact Benchmark FCU directly at 610-429-1600 to verify legitimacy of any communication
Benchmark FCU cares about the safety and security of our members and their accounts. We encourage all members to visit our Security Center to stay up-to-date on the latest security news and alerts.
October 2023
FBI Fraud Alert…
Don’t get ripped off! If you can answer “YES” to any of the following questions, you could be involved in a FRAUD or about to be SCAMMED!
- Is the CHECK from an item you sold on the internet, such as a car, boat, or jewelry, etc.?
- Is the amount of the CHECK more than the item’s selling price?
- Did you receive the CHECK via an overnight delivery service?
- Is the CHECK connected to communicating with someone by email?
- Is the CHECK drawn on a business or individual account that is different from the person buying your item or product?
- Have you been informed that you were the winner of a LOTTERY, such as Canadian, Australian, El Gordo, or El Mundo, that you did not enter?
- Have you been instructed to either “WIRE”, “SEND” or “SHIP” MONEY, as soon as possible, to a large U.S. city or to another country , such as Canada, England, or Nigeria?
- Have you been asked to PAY money to receive a deposit from another country such as Canada, England, or Nigeria?
- Are you receiving PAY or a COMMISSION for facilitating money transfers through your account?
- Did you respond to an email requesting you to CONFIRM, UPDATE, or PROVIDE your account information?
If you answered “YES” to any of the above questions then contact your financial institution IMMEDIATELY because you’ve most likely become involved in a FRAUD or about to be SCAMMED! Remember, our staff is always available to assist our members and we look forward to being your financial partner throughout life’s benchmarks!
October 2023
Understanding Brushing Scams: USPS Issues a Warning…
In the ever-evolving landscape of online scams, a new and disturbing trend has emerged that goes by ‘brushing.’ While this term may sound harmless or even amusing, it is anything but. Brushing scams pose a significant threat to individuals and their personal information. The United States Postal Service (USPS) has issued a warning to shed light on this deceptive practice, urging the public to be vigilant and informed. This article will explain what brushing scams are, how they work, and, most importantly, how to protect yourself from falling victim to this fraudulent practice.
Click Here to Read Blog Article
July 2023
Avoid Getting Baited by a Text Scam…
Scammers are constantly devising new ways to deceive unsuspecting individuals. One of the latest methods gaining popularity is text scams, where scammers use clever tactics to deceive and defraud people through text messages. With the increasing reliance on smartphones and messaging apps, text scams have become a prevalent threat to personal information and financial security. It’s essential to be aware of these scams and take proactive measures to protect yourself from falling into their trap.
Text scams, or SMS phishing or smishing, involve fraudulent messages sent to your mobile device to bait you into revealing sensitive information or making unauthorized transactions. These scams can be highly convincing, employing various techniques to deceive victims. To avoid getting baited by a text scam, here are some things to watch for, along with detailed examples of the latest text scams.
Click Here to Read Blog Article
February 2023
Four Scams Targeting Older Adults…
Scams targeting older adults have been at an all-time high. Consumer Affairs says the elderly are swindled out of more than $3 billion each year. The lifetime of retirement savings and possessions many older adults have accumulated makes them a prime target for scammers. Here are four scams for older adults to watch for.
Click Here to Read Blog Article
October 2022
Don’t Fall Victim to White Washing…
Benchmark Federal Credit Union was recently informed that several of our members have fallen victim to a check scam called White Washing. White Washing targets members who write out personal checks then place them in a mailbox. Scammers are taking checks from the mailbox and then using chemicals to remove the ink. They enter a new payee and amount and then fraudulently deposit the checks. In some cases, this is causing members to overdraw their account.
Please protect yourself by checking your account daily via our Home Banking service or Mobile Banking. Home Banking is available via our website at www.benchmarkfcu.org; where clickable links to download our Mobile Banking App can also be found. In place of writing checks, you may wish to try our Billpayer service that is available for free with your Benchmark Checking Account. Another option is to pay online or by calling the merchant directly and providing our routing number, 2313-866-29 and your checking account number. If you are sending checks through the mail, take your mail into the post office. If you cannot get to the post office, do not leave your mail sitting in your mailbox for extended periods of time. Please contact us at (610) 429-1600 if you have any outstanding checks that you fear may have fallen into the wrong hands, so we can place a stop payment on them. If you are a victim of White Washing, please contact your local police department.
At Benchmark FCU, we look forward to being your financial partner throughout life’s benchmarks!
September 2022
Member Service Rep Impersonation Scam
Benchmark Federal Credit Union recently learned about an increase in scams involving Member Service Representative impersonations via text, phone calls, and emails.
All members should be on the lookout for any of these communications claiming to be associated with Benchmark FCU. Scammers are trying to spoof financial institution’s identities by using their real phone numbers to appear on Caller IDs.
FRIENDLY REMINDER:
- We will never call or text asking our members for personal information
- NEVER voluntarily give out personal information such as account numbers, credit and debit card information, or passwords
- Do not respond to unknown text messages
- Immediately hang up if you suspect the call might be a scam
- Please contact Benchmark FCU directly at 610-429-1600 to verify legitimacy of any communication
Benchmark FCU cares about the safety and security of our members and their accounts. We encourage all members to visit our Security Center to stay up-to-date on the latest security news and alerts.
At Benchmark FCU, we look forward to being your financial partner throughout life’s benchmarks!