Protect Yourself from Scams
Beware of These Technology Traps

Can you imagine life without the internet, cell phones, or MP3 players? Technology can make life easier and entertaining. But criminals also try to use technology to commit new kinds of fraud. Here are a few popular scams linked with your favorite gadgets.

• Text message scams. If you get a message from a phone number that you don't recognize, ignore it. Scammers hope that you will text back so you can be charged high fees.
• Phishing scams. You might get an official-looking email that seems to be from a financial institution, charity, or government agency. The email might ask you for information such as your Social Security number, online passwords, or account details. NEVER provide your personal information online (or over the phone) unless you initiated the contact and you know it's a trustworthy company.
• Pharming scams. Pharming happens if a fraudster downloads a virus onto your computer. Then he or she takes control of your web browser. Each time you try to access a legitimate company online, such as your credit union, you'll be taken to a fake site without knowing it. The scammer just waits until you enter your information on this site. To help protect yourself, don't open email attachments from people you don't know. Also keep your computer antivirus protection updated.
• Online fraud. Popular auction sites such as eBay^® and social networking sites such as Facebook are not immune from fraud, either. Scammers will pose as these sites or other people in order to get personal information from you.

protecting your info
DCU is always working to keep your information safe, and PC Branch allows you to check your account information quickly and securely. Visit our web site at dcu.org to learn more. For more information about scams, check out Show Me or visit the National Consumers League at fraud.org.*

* Web site provided for information only; no endorsement is implied.