APL Federal Credit Union

TEXT MESSAGE ALERT (April 4, 2008)
A text message from security@aplfcu.org has been circulating in the area to members and non-members stating to call a bogus phone number because your APL FCU has been closed due to unusual activity. We HAVE NOT sent such a text message. Please ignore this type of message.

E-MAIL PHISHING ALERT
(April 3, 2008)
An e-mail released onto the internet is purportedly from us stating that "APL Federal Credit Union is currently launching a new security system and are strongly urged to update their account within the next 48 hours."

This is NOT TRUE. If you get such an e-mail, please do not click on any links within this notification. If you have clicked a fraudulent link and have typed in your username and password, please contact Member Services immediately to reset your account.

(April 2, 2008)
Do not open or reply to any e-mails with the subject line " APL FCU - Notification Letter #1592." This phishing e-mail states that your account has been suspended until you click on their bogus link and log in to their bogus site - which looks very similar to the APLFCU online banking login page. Please do not click on any links within this notification. If you have clicked a fraudulent link and have typed in your username and password, please contact Member Services immediately to reset your account.

APLFCU will never e-mail or call asking for your account information. Members and non-members can report any suspicious e-mail to abuse@aplfcu.org.

** more FAQs and Tips **

Fraud Methods
Information about several types of fraud including counterfeit checks, money orders and ATM machines.

• Visa Credit/Check Card Protection (APLFCU - 1/2006)
• Check/Money Order Authentication Checklist (FBI - 8/2005 )
• ATM Awareness (Diebold)

Phishing
Both Internet Explorer 7 and Mozilla Firefox 2 have phishing filters to alert users about suspect sites. However, many members do not have IE 7 or Firefox 2, or do not have the phishing filter turned on. We highly recommend that IE and Firefox users update to IE 7 or Firefox 2 and turn on the phishing filter.

To activate the phishing filter in IE 7: To activate the phishing filter in Firefox 2:

1. Pull down the Tools menu 1. Pull down the Tools menu and select Options

2. Select “Phishing Filter” 2. Click on the Security tab/button

3. Select “Turn On Automatic Website Checking” 3. Ensure a check is in the box next to “Tell me if the site I’m visiting is a suspected forgery”

Phishing scams trick consumers into divulging confidential information by posing as legitimate business sites.

•Current Scams (CUNA)
•Scams Evolve (ISC - 03/2006)

Counterfeit Check Information
Information on fake checks and lottery scams.

• Giving the Bounce to Counterfeit Scams (Federal Trade Commission - 1/2007)

Identity Theft
Articles that provide information regarding Identity Theft and the necessary steps to be taken if a person has been or believes they are the victim.

•Resources from the Federal Trade Commission Site

Online Virus Alerts
Articles on information relating to Web vulnerabilities, whether online or via e-mail.

• Microsoft Internet Explorer Browser Flaw (Microsoft - 11/2005)

Telemarketer Scams
Telemarketing fraud is a multi-billion dollar business in the United States. Every year, thousands of consumers lose as little as a few dollars to as much as their life savings to telephone con artists.

• Related Article ( FBI - 9/2005)