Fraud Alerts

APL FCU will never e-mail, call or text you asking for your account information. Members and non-members can report any suspicious activities by calling us at 443.778.5250.

  

7/7/2023 Fraud Alert

Fraudsters are calling people in our area are purporting to be from APL Federal Credit Union's Security or Fraud Department.  If you get a call that resembles this, refrain from giving any personal information, hang up immediately, and contact the credit union with our published number.
These are truly fraud phishing attempts and fraudsters are playing the odds by picking a financial institution in the area. They will then call or text hundreds of phone numbers, knowing some of them will belong to our members. Please stay vigilant and remember, APL FCU will never text, e-mail, or call you asking for your account or personal information such as social security numbers.

At APL FCU we have numerous fraud prevention measures in place, but you can assist us by keeping an eye on your accounts.
If you are in doubt about any incoming emails or calls, refrain from giving any personal information and contact the Credit Union immediately at 443.778.5250.

Please note:  

  • APL FCU will never contact you and ask you to provide your online banking password or PIN.
  • If you receive a suspicious email claiming to be from APL FCU, please call us 443.778.5250 or email us at callcenter@aplfcu.org.
  • If you opened a questionable link and shared your login credentials, PIN or other sensitive information, please call the service center at 443.778.5250. 
  • Use a complex password—a mixture of capital and lowercase letters, numbers and symbols. Make sure it’s at least eight characters long. Never reuse a password. 
  • Monitor your accounts using our free alerts in Digital Banking and sign up for Visa Purchase Alerts.
  • If you receive a call claiming to be from APL FCU, but it seems suspicious, hang up and call the Credit Union back directly. 

Please Note: Members should expect a call from APL FCU if they have requested a Wire Transfer.
If you are NOT EXPECTING a call from the APL FCU, please hang up call our call center at 443.778.5250

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Education and Training

Check out this invaluable resource about digital safety that covers everything from Online Shopping to Mobile Device Security. This information changes as new threats become mainstream. Come back often to revisit any issues.

Are You Cashing or Depositing a check for any of these reasons?

  • ITEMS SOLD on the internet
    • Is the amount of the check more than the item's selling price?
    • Is the check drawn on an account that is different from the person buying your item?
  • WINNING A LOTTERY you never entered
  • WORK-AT-HOME program
  • COMMISSION for accepting funds through your bank or other means

Have you been asked to:

  • RETURN some of the proceeds?
  • SEND some of the funds by wire or by Western Union?
  • SEND money overseas?
  • PAY MONEY to recover an inheritance?

Have you replied to an email requesting you to:

  • CONFIRM, UPDATE, OR PROVIDE your account information?
If you answered YES to any of the above, please inform an APL FCU Representative today.

Scam Examples

Omicron-Themed Phishing Campaign

Omicron-themed phishing emails state, “This letter is to inform you that you have been exposed to a coworker who tested positive for OMICRON variant of COVID-19. Please take a look at the details in the attached document.” If the victim opens the Excel document and enables macros, their device will be infected with the Dridex Banking Trojan.

Remember, APL FCU will never e-mail, call or text you asking for your account information.
If you are in doubt about any incoming emails or calls, contact the Credit Union directly. It is better to be safe than to give out any account or personal information.

Employment Scam Targeting College Students

Beware: College students across the United States continue to be targeted in a common employment scam. Scammers advertise phony job opportunities on college employment websites, and/or students receive e-mails on their school accounts recruiting them for fictitious positions. This "employment" results in a financial loss for participating students.

Phishing Text Scam

There is a fake text message circulating a promotion for UGG Boots. Currently UGG does not contact customers via text messages regarding promotions and special sales and we will never do so without explicit permission. Should you receive such a text message, please disregard as it is most likely from a counterfeiter and part of a scam. DO NOT respond to this text or make any purchases regarding this text message.

Phishing Text Scam

APL FCU cardholders may receive a text message that states that their card has been deactivated. It also states that a restriction has been placed on the card and to call a stated number to re-activate it. This text message is not from APL FCU and is a phishing attempt. DO NOT respond to this text.

Credit Card Protection

We encourage you to monitor your card accounts using Digital Banking and notify us immediately if you notice anything suspicious. Be sure to register all Visa Credit and Debit cards on the Visa Purchase Alerts site to get real-time text or email notifications. 
Visa Purchase Alerts Info

Remember, APL FCU will never e-mail, call or text you asking for your account information. If you are in doubt about any incoming calls, hang up the phone and call us. It is better to be safe than to give out any account or personal information.

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