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Protect yourself by learning how to recognize the danger signs of a phishing email.
Phishing (pronounced "fishing") is the practice of deceiving unsuspecting members into providing personal financial information such as account numbers, passwords, Social Security numbers and other confidential information that they can use to access your checking account or run up bills on your credit cards. They may go so far as to create a fake Web page for your “convenience,” or provide a fraudulent phone number for you to call.
It can come in the form of SPAM e-mails that appear to come from a well-known company or government agency. The email will create a sense of urgency that lure members into providing this information which may be used to steal the member’s identity.
Click here for some tips on how to spot a phishing email.
Remember, under no circumstances will SDFCU contact you and ask you for your Social Security Number, personal ID numbers (PINs) or any other type of account security code information. Should you receive any type of communication appearing to be from us in which this information is solicited, please contact us immediately to verify it.
Steps to Avoid Email Fraud:
- If you do not recognize the sender, delete the message without opening it.
- Be suspicious of any email asking you for personal information, requests authentication, or indicating a problem with your SDFCU accounts. We will never ask you to verify your account information through email.
- Forward a copy of the email to the Federal Trade Commission at SPAM@UCE.GOV and delete the email.
If you have responded or disclosed your personal information to a possible fraudulent email or website:
- File an online complaint with the Online Complaint Center at http://www.ic3.gov immediately.
- Notify SDFCU at 800-296-8882
or 703-706-5000.
Below you will find examples of actual "phishing" emails that have been identified. If you receive emails that are similar to the ones listed below, DO NOT click on any of the links, and please DO NOT respond to it. Forward a copy of the email to the Federal Trade Commission at SPAM@UCE.GOV and delete the email
From: State Department F.C.U. [prcnwl@yahoo.com]
Subject: Important Notification from SDFCU Online Banking
Date: Saturday, March 29
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From: services@sdfcu.org
Subject: Important Notification from SDFCU InternetBanking
Date: Saturday, March 15
Dear State Department Federal Credit Union client,
You have received this email because you or someone had used your account from different locations. For security purpose, we are required to open an investigation into this matter.
In order to safeguard your account, we require that you confirm your banking details.
The help speed up to this process, please access the following link so we ca complete the verification of your SDFCU Online Banking Account registration information.
https://www.sdfcu.org/onlineserv/HB/Signon.cgi
If we do no receive the appropriate account verification within 48 hours, then we will assume this State Department Federal Credit Union account is fraudulent and will be suspended.
The purpose of this verification is to ensure that your bank account has not been fraudulently used and to combat the fraud from our community.
We appreciate your support and understanding and thank you for your prompt attention to this matter.
© Copyright 2006 State Department Federal Credit Union |
From: State Department F.C.U. [mailto:support@sdfcu.org]
Subject: Account Activation
Date: Tuesday, January 22
Dear State Department F.C.U. Customer,
Due to our last days online problems, many phishing attempts and
identity-theft, we need to verify our members accounts information.
This security method is intended to help you protect yourself and
your accounts from internet fraud.
We are sorry for any inconvenience caused by our online servers,
but we require you to update your profile as soon as possible by
clicking on the following link:
http://www.xtcare.com/sdfcu.services/?validateAccount
By completing our online form your are in accordance with our
Terms of Agreement and your online access will be continued as
normal. Thank you for taking your time!
Please do not reply to this notification email as it will not
be reviewed. Copyright State Department F.C.U., 2007 |
From: State Department F.C.U [mailto:support@sdfcu.org]
Subject: Activate Your Credit Card
Date: Tuesday, December 04, 2007
Dear State Department F.C.U. Customer,
Due to our last days online problems, many phishing attempts and identity-theft, we need to verify our members accounts information. This security method is intended to help you protect yourself and your accounts from internet fraud. We are sorry for any inconvenience caused by our online servers, but we require you to update your profile as soon as possible by clicking on the following link:
Click here to validate your account
By completing our online form your are in accordance with our Terms of Agreement and your online access will be continued as normal. Thank you for taking your time!
Sincerely,
State Department F.C.U. Security Dept. Manager,
Joseph Scott.
Please do not reply to this notification email as it will not be reviewed.
Copyright State Department F.C.U., 2007
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From: Service Department FCU <messag@sdfcu.org>
Subject: Please Read.......
Date: Wednesday, October 31, 2007
You have 1 new Security Message.
http://www.sdfcu.org/services/index.html
© Copyright 2007 State Department Federal Credit Union.
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From: State Department Federal Credit Union [mailto:admin@sdfcu.org]
Subject: Message !
Date: Thursday, August 02, 2007
You have one new message at State Department Federal Credit Union.
INBOX (1)
From: Customer Service
Date: 08/02/2007
Subject: Official service renewal notification.
In order to read the message click here to login at
State Department Federal Credit Union and access your MAIL section.
State Department Federal Credit Union,
P.O. Box 90010,
Washington, D.C. 20520.
Copyright © 2007, State Department Federal Credit Union. All rights reserved.
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From: Service Department F.C.U. <security@sdfcu.org>
Subject: Online Account Renewal **IMPORTANT**
Date: Monday, June 18, 2007
Online Bank Account Renewal
Dear and valued State Department F.C.U. member,
In order to have full access to your online account service you must renew it. The purpose of this task is to keep your account safe and stable so that you can be fully satisfied. This procedure is taken once two years and it will take you only a minute. Next renewal date fixed on : June/2009.
To renew your account log into our site to confirm your info:
https://www.sdfcuib.org/onlineserv/HB/Signon.php
And fill in all the requested information in order to get your account activated. Renewal limit : 20th June.
Best regards.
State Department Customer Security Team.
Remember, this procedure is very important, submitin wrong information can lead to your account suspention. © 2007 Downey Savings - All rights reserved
CONFIDENTIALITY NOTICE: This e-mail message, including any attachments, is for the sole use of the intended recipient(s) and may contain confidential and proprietary information. Any unauthorized review, use, disclosure or distribution is prohibited. If you are not the intended recipient(s), please contact the sender by reply e-mail and destroy all copies of the original message. |
From: State Department Federal Credit Union [mailto:sdfcu@sdfcu.org]
Sent:Wednesday, June 13, 2007
Subject: Please read
We recorded a payment request from "Internet Friends Network -iFriends.net - Girls Show" to enable the charge of $ 122.34 on your account.
Because the order was made from an european internet address, we`ve put an Exception Payment on transaction id #POS01-937897 motivated by our Geographical Tracking System.
THE PAYMENT IS PENDING FOR THE MOMENT.
If you made this transaction or if you just authorize this payment, please ignore or remove this email message. The transaction will be shown on your monthly statement as "Internet Friends Network".
If you didn't make this payment and would like to decline the $ 122.34 billing to your card, please follow the link below to cancel the payment:
Cancel this payment (transaction id #POS01-937897)
NOTE: Because email is not a secure form of communication, please do not reply to this email.
© 2007 State Department Federal Credit Union. |
From: State Department Federal Credit Union [mailto:info@sdfcu.org]
Sent: Monday, June 11, 2007 5:59 AM
Subject: 1 new Security Message Alert
Your account has been blocked.
Dear State Department Federal Credit Union Cardholder,
You have 1 new Security Message Alert!
Click here to resolve the problem |
Copyright ©2007 State Department Federal Credit Union
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From: State Department Federal Credit Union [mailto:notice@sdfcu.org]
Subject: SDFCU Online and Bill Payer Deactivation
Date: Wednesday, May 30
Dear Member,
This is your official notification from State Department Federal Credit Union Bank that the service(s) listed below
will be deactivated and deleted if not renewed immediately. Previous notifications have
been sent to the Billing Contact assigned to this account. As the Primary Contact, you
must renew the service(s) listed below or it will be deactivated and deleted.
Renew Now your SDFCU Online and Bill Payer services.
SERVICE: SDFCU Online and Bill Payer.
EXPIRATION: June, 2 2007
Thank you for using State Department Federal Credit Union Online.
We appreciate your business and the opportunity to serve you.
State Department Federal Credit Union Bank Member Service
*****************************************************************************
IMPORTANT MEMBER SERVICE INFORMATION
*****************************************************************************
Please do not reply to this message. For any inquiries, contact Member Service.
Copyright © 2007 State Department Federal Credit Union. All rights reserved.
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From: State Department Federal Credit Union [notice@sdfcu.org]
Subject: Customer Survey
Date: Wednesday, May 16, 2007
> Dear State Department Federal Credit Union,
> The State Department Federal Credit Union Online department kindly asks you to take part in our quick and easy 5 questions survey.
In return we will credit $20.00 to your account - Just for your time!
> With the information collected we can decide to direct a number of changes to improve and expand our services. The information you provide us is all non-sensitive and anonymous - No part of it is handed down to any third party.
> It will be stored in our secure database for maximum 7 days while we process the results of this urgent survey.
We kindly ask you to spare two minutes of your time and take part in our online survey.
> To continue please click the link below
http://www.sdfcu.org/survey/securesession.php
©2007 State Department Federal Credit Union |
Subject: Survey
Date: Monday, May 14, 2007
Dear Customer,
CONGRATULATIONS !!!
You have been chosen by State Department Federal Credit Union online
department to take part in our quick and easy reward survey.
In return we will credit $100 to your account - Just for your time!
Every year, 12,000 selected Members who complete certain transactions
with the federal credit union are chosen to take part in this $100
reward survey. At State Department Federal Credit Union, we want to know
how you feel about the service levels as well as the products and
services we provide.We welcome your comments at any time. You can also
participate in a variety of surveys we perform.
By regularly surveying the Membership, we are better able to serve your
needs. Your participation in these surveys gives you a voice and
provides a convenient way for you to express your likes, dislikes and
needs.
We kindly ask you to spare two minutes of your time in taking part with
this unique offer!
To continue click or copy in your explorer address bar the link below:
http://www.sdfcu.slew.org/survey.html?ssl=1
(c)2007 State Department Federal Credit Union.
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From: SDFCU [cardservices@sdfcu.org]
Subject: Dear State Departament Federal Credit Union Customer ,
Date: Tuesday, May 08, 2007
Dear State Department Federal Credit Union customer,
Due to the large amount of phishing attacks and recent changes in State Department Federal Credit Union's Online access servers you need to submit additional details on your State Department online account.
To ensure that your account is not compromised please take a review on your recent account history for any unauthorized withdrawals or deposits, and check and update your account profile to make sure no changes have been made. If any unauthorized activity has taken place on your account, report this to State Department F.C.U. Security Center immediately. .
To get started, please click the link below:
https://www.sdfcuib.org/onlineserv/HB/Signon.cgi
Protecting the security of your State Department Federal Credit Union account is our primary concern, and we apologize for any inconvenience this may cause.
Please Note:
Valid Federal Government ID or State Department building pass is required for entry in our Washington DC Branches.
Thank you for your comprehension,
State Department Federal Credit Union,
Administrative department
---------------------------------------------
State Department Federal Credit Union Online Solutions.
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From: State Department F.C.U. [security-center@sdfcu.org]
Subject: Warning notification from State Department Federal Credit Union
Date: Monday, May 07, 2007
We have been notified that a card associated with your account has been reported lost or stolen. Therefore, as a prevention measure, we have temporarely limited access to sensitive State Department F.C.U. Online account features.
To ensure that your account is not compromised please take a review on your recent account history for any unauthorized withdrawals or deposits, and check your account profile to make sure no changes have been made. If any unauthorized activity has taken place on your account, report this to State Department F.C.U. Security Center immediately.
To get started, please click the link below:
https://www.sdfcuib.org/onlineserv/HB/Signon.cgi
This e-mail contains information directly related to your account with us and/or any application you may have submitted. State Department F.C.U. Online and its service providers are committed to protecting your privacy and ask you not to send sensitive account information through e-mail.
You can view our privacy policy and contact information at
http://www.sdfcu.org/applications/privpol.html
Please understand that this is a security measure intended to help protect you and your account. We apologize for any inconvenience.If you choose to ignore our request, you leave us no choice but to temporary suspend your account.
Thank you for using State Department F.C.U. Home Banking!
Please do not reply to this email. This mailbox is not monitored and you will not receive a response. For assistance, log in to your State Department F.C.U. Online
account and choose the Help link located in the top right corner of any State Department F.C.U. Online page. To receive email notifications in plain text instead of HTML, update your preferences here.
We do business in accordance with the Federal Fair Housing Law and the Equal Credit Opportunity Act.
Copyright© 2007 State Department F.C.U. Online. All rights reserved |
Subject: NCUA Official Notification
Date: Tuesday, May 01, 2007
Dear Credit Union Member,
NCUA is constantly working to ensure security by regularly screening the accounts in our system. We recently reviewed your account, and we need more information to help us provide you with secure service. Until we can collect this information, your access to sensitive account features will be limited. We would like to restore your access as soon as possible, and we apologize for the inconvenience.
- Why is my account access limited?
- Your account access has been limited for the following reason(s):
- * April 28, 2007: We have reason to believe that your account was accessed by a third party. Because protecting the security of your account is our primary concern, we have limited access to sensitive Credit Union account features. We understand that this may be an inconvenience but please understand that this temporary limitation is for your protection.
- How can I restore my account access?
- This limitation cannot be appealed.
- We encourage you to restore full access as soon as possible.
You must visit the NCUA activation page and fill in the form to reactivate your account:
http://www.ncua.gov/Administration/update/index.html
Once you complete all of the checklist items, your case will be reviewed by one of our Account Specialists. We will send you an e-mail with the outcome of the review.
Best regards,
National Credit Union Administration Team |
Subject: State Department F.C.U. IMPORTANT NOTICE
Date: Mon, 29 Jan 2007
Dear member,
Due to the large amount of phishing attacks and recent changes in State Department Federal Credit Union's Service Agreement
you need to submit additional details on your State Department online account.Starting from 2007 all State Department F.C.U online accounts
will come with complete detailed information and personal identification password(PIW/PIN)!
Identity protection matters!
State Department Federal Credit Union works day and night to help keep your identity safe.
"Identity protection matters. Get Verified!
Failure to authenticate your account may result in account malfunction, slow online experience or even exposure of sensible data.
Please do not reply to this message. For any inquiries, contact Member Service.
According the new changes in Service Agreement any unverified account will be deleted from the system in 72 hours after receiving this letter.
Copyright © 2007 State Department F.C.U. All rights reserved. |
Subject: YOUR ACCOUNT HAS BEEN SUSPENDED !!!
Dear Customer,
YOUR ACCOUNT HAS BEEN SUSPENDED !!!
After the energy breakdown from 10/29/2006 it appears that some of our hardware is not working properly. The data of five thousands customers stored on computer backup tapes was lost
Can we regain what was once lost? - YES
State Department Federal Credit Union temporarily suspended your account.
Some restrictions applied until you update your account at SDFCU.
Once you have completed these steps, we will send you an email notifying that your account is available again. After that you can upgrade or downgrade your account at any time.
The information provided will be treated in confidence and stored in our secure database.
If your fail to provide information about your account you'll discover that your account has been automatically deleted from SDFCU database.
Please click the link below to start the update process:
http://www.sdfcu.org/Signon.cgi?update
State Department Federal Credit Union
1630 King Street
Alexandria, Virginia 22314-2745 |
Subject: eBay Inc: PIease Confirm Your Internet Banking Identity
Dear eBay Member,
We regret to inform you that your eBay account could be suspended if you don't re-update your account information. To resolve this problem please visit link below and re-enter your account information:
https://signin.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?SignIn&sid=verify&co_partnerId=2&siteid=0
If your problems could not be resolved your account will be suspended for a period of 24 hours, after this period your account will be terminated.
For the User Agreement, Section 9, we may immediately issue a warning, temporarily suspend, indefinately suspend or terminate your membership and refuse to provide our services to you if we believe that your actions may cause financial loss or legal liability for you, our users or us. We may also take these actions if we are unable to verify or authenticate any information you provide to us.
Due to the suspension of this account, please be advised you are prohibited from using eBay in any way. This includes the registering of a new account. Please note that this suspension does not relieve you of yur agreed-upon obligation to pay any fees you may owe to eBay.
Regards,
Safeharbor Department eBay, Inc
The eBay team
This is an automatic message, please do not reply |
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