"Congratulations - You've Won!"
Fake checks, even cashier's checks are being mailed to Colorado folks with a notice saying they've won a prize or lottery. It tricks people because the checks look real, with watermarks, seals, even 'looking' like it's drawn on real financial institutions.
Currently they are sent to local residents from the real sounding 'North American Prize Remittance Board' asking that the member has to call and send funds, or worse still, give personal information, to pay for processing fees and taxes.
For folks suffering in today's economy this may seem like a windfall, but it is not. The check the member sends clears, while the prize check bounces at the credit union - and the member is out the funds they sent, or worse still, any 'prize' money they spent. The bad guys are getting really good at making bad checks. Remember, if you haven't entered a contest/lottery, then you probably did not win anything.
Bank, Credit Union, Postal Money Orders or Cashier's Checks are not guaranteed. When you deposit one into your account, you are responsible for making good on those funds. To help protect you and your money and your credit union, Aventa has become more careful with check holds and releasing funds to you before they clear.
Aventa Credit Union will never ask you for your account information or other personal identifying information in communications which you did not originate.
If you have already given out any personal account information, please contact us immediately at our phone numbers: 800.555.6665 or 719.482.7600, or email us at contactus@aventa.com.
Current (and ongoing) Local Credit Union Scam
In an attempt to get confidential information from members of local credit unions, you may be contacted by an automatic phone system, or by text or email messages by an unknown party or parties. Your children with cell phones or access to texting may get these messages.
These calls, text messages, ane emails are fraudulent. Do not respond to any of these calls, texts, or emails, and never give out any personal information. If you do not respond to the first contact, be aware that you might be conctacted a second time, again by a fraudulent source. This time, they might pose as a credit union representative working to resolve the fraud problem. PLEASE TALK TO YOUR CHILDREN about this.
If you have questions about any contact you receive from a financial representative, please get in touch with the Aventa Contact Center at 719.482.7600.
True Story: A child in a middle school in southern Colorado got a text message saying his family's credit union's debit cards were compromised. He texted all of the information back. AND, he told all his friends that used the same credit union. So they got the text address and volunteered their personal information. That one text resulted in a total of more than $37,000 in losses to several members.
Credit Counseling and Debt Relief
A growing number of companies promise to help people drowning in debt. They "guarantee" to lower your monthly credit card payments and get collection agencies off your back. Phony debt relief outfits take your money and do nothing. In some cases, they make the situation worse. You'll owe just as much as when you started, plus have additional late fees and other penalties to pay. Don't respond to the first ad you see or hear. Shop around. Take the time to find a reputable credit counselor; someone who will design a debt relief plan specifically for you. The National Foundation for Credit Counseling is a good place to start. By Herb Weisbaum, msnbc.com
Aventa Credit Union will never ask you for your account information or other personal identifying information in communications which you did not originate. |
