How to Identify a Scam E-Mail

Member Service Associate Lisa Burkhart is always on the lookout for ways to protect our members from fraud.  She recently shared an example of a scam email that reached her inbox, and some pointers on how to spot that the email is fake:

1) Look for weird or awkward language.  The begining of the email includes the phrase “thank you for yoru humble business with us.”

2) Look for grammar mistakes.  The end of the email says “If this payment is not made by you . . .” when trying to convince the recipient that they have already made an overpayment.  It should say “If this payment WAS not made by you . . .”  In the earlier phrase example, the word “humble” has a space in it: “hum ble”.  

Thanks Lisa!

How Does the Scam Work?

If the recipient is successfully tricked into calling the “Help Desk” phone number provided, a few things could happen:

1) The criminal will try to get you to give up your debit card number, credit card number, or account number in order to process your “refund”. 

2) The criminial will try to offer “technical support” by having you download an application that will allow them to see your screen and control your mouse.  They will then have you log in to your online banking where they will attempt to move money out of your account while saying they are moving money in for your refund.  The criminals can be very convincing!  We have had three members get as far as installing the app and logging in to their online banking, but so far no criminal has succeeded in getting money out of their account.

If you feel you have been a vicitim of this scam or any scam, give us a call at 423-336-7268 so we can protect your accounts.