By Judy Masterson
jmasterson@stmedianetwork.com
June 15, 2012 4:36PM
What is phishing?
Phishing is the attempt to electronically acquire and use information such as passwords, usernames, and other financial account information by posing as a trustworthy source.
Updated: June 16, 2012 2:14AM
Local credit union officials are trying to stem a tide of victims who are being ripped off after receiving automated phone calls, asked for personal financial account information.
Three area credit unions have been targeted by the recent “phishing” scam. North Chicago-based Great Lakes Credit Union, which has branches in Antioch, Gurnee, Libertyville, Round Lake Beach, Waukegan and Zion was first hit by the scam over Memorial Day weekend.
John Skul, GLCU director of marketing, said that between 40 and 50 of about 300 members who received phishing calls have been affected, with an estimated $50,000 in losses to GLCU customers confirmed so far. Customers of the credit union’s Milwaukee, Wis., branch have also started filing police reports.
“The message is very convincing,” Skul said. “It tells them their debit card has been locked and they need their pin (personal identification number) and account number.”
Skul said the calls, which originated from Arizona, appear to be sent to certain zip codes but otherwise seem random. How the scammers linked their victims to the correct financial institutions is still a mystery.
The scammers recognized that a three-day holiday weekend worked to their advantage. GLCU, like other financial institutions that took the Monday holiday, didn’t begin receiving calls from flummoxed customers, suddenly confronted with drained accounts, until Tuesday, May 29.
“It’s out of our hands now,” Skul said. “It’s a criminal offense. People who receive these calls should contact their local police department immediately.”
Also targeted by the scam were Consumers Credit Union headquartered in Waukegan with branches in Gurnee, Mundelein and Round Lake Beach, and Community Trust Credit Union of Gurnee.
The automated calls, which correctly identify the target’s financial institution, were also made to credit card holders, according to Consumers Credit Union.
“Criminal activity is at an all-time high these days, especially since tracking down automated phishing scams are virtually impossible,” said Vikki Kaiser, president and CEO of GLCU, which has employed warnings on its Web site, Facebook page, e-mail, and voice message for members who call the credit union’s general number.
The credit unions are warning people not to reveal personal financial information to anyone over the phone or via e-mail. Officials said financial institutions will never randomly ask for personal account information or Social Security numbers — information already on file.