Fraud Alert:Online Banking Impersonation Scams via Text, Email, and Phone Calls.
Today, our mobile devices hold digital imprints of ourselves. We store family photos, personal notes, and contacts, access our social media accounts to connect with loved ones, retrieve medical records, manage our bank accounts—the list goes on and on. As our mobile devices become increasingly vital in our lives, they also become more attractive targets for cybercriminals.
OMNI Community Credit Union is committed to keeping you safe and protecting your accounts from scammers and cybercriminals. Recently, we have received reports of scammers impersonating OMNI through fake text messages in an attempt to steal your personal information. Below, you will find some tips to help you stay informed and safe.
Diving Deeper into Online Banking Impersonation
Cybercriminals often use tricks like sending realistic text messages or emails that seem to be from trusted sources like OMNI Community Credit Union. They do this to manipulate you into either sending them money or giving away your login details. This sneaky tactic is called 'social engineering,' where scammers trick you into doing things you wouldn't normally do.
Example of scam text message scenario may look like the following:
- You receive a message that appears to be from OMNI Community Credit Union informing you that information (i.e., phone number, email address, etc.) has changed on your account.
- The message tells you that you can confirm or revert the change by accessing a website link.
- You click the link in the text message. Your mobile device web browser opens to what appears to be OMNI’s website.
- You login with your credentials and generate a secondary login code (two-factor authentication code that is either texted to you or is stored in a two-factor authentication application).
- Instead of accessing your account, you are taken back to the account home page.
- The cybercriminals now have the necessary credentials to access your account.
What happens if you receive a scam message like this?
If you have received a scam text message and you haven’t clicked on any links or responded to the sender, we recommend that you take a screenshot of the text message and report it immediately to:
- OMNI CCU at 269-441-1400
- The Federal Trade Commission
This will help make the appropriate parties aware but keep in mind, scammers can always set up a new phone number to send future scam messages.
What if you click a fraudulent link or provide personal information to an OMNI impersonator?
Don't panic. We highly recommend starting by logging into your digital banking account. Review your profile contact information, update your account password, and activate all available account alerts. This will help you stay up-to-date with any account changes in real-time. Please note that account alerts are not activated by default; you must manually opt-in to all alerts.
OMNI is here to protect and support you. If you fall victim to a fraudulent text disguised as OMNI or if you need assistance in setting up account alerts, please call our support team at 269-441-1400.
Next, notify OMNI immediately at 269-441-1400. We are here to protect and support you. Your vigilance and proactiveness helps us keep all of our members safe.
Official OMNI CCU Communication
OMNI does offer text message options to help you keep a pulse on account changes and fraud protection, but you must opt-into receiving these messages.
Official OMNI CCU Debit Card Fraud Protection Communication
If you have a debit card through OMNI, you are enrolled to receive 24/7 debit card fraud protection monitoring alerts. The fraud team will attempt to call you, text you, and email you (in that order). Note that the debit card fraud protection team will NEVER ask you for:
- Full debit card number.
- Full account numbers.
- Full social security number.
- Your two-factor authentication code that you use at home banking login (this is always private and for your eyes only).
If you are asked to give this information in full, it is likely a scam. Please report it by calling OMNI immediately at 269-441-1400.
Remember, official OMNI text messages will:
- Contain OMNI’s official corporate phone number – 269-441-1400.
- Provide OMNI’s official website (If you see a website in a text that is not OMNI’s website, it is likely a fraudulent website).