SECURITY ALERT -- Fraudulent Text Messages Target Members for Account Information
06/09/08
ATTENTION Meriwest Members: Be on the alert for a new scam targeting members of financial institutions.
The scam is known as "vishing," wherein mobile phone users receive a text message warning that their bank account has been closed due to suspicious activity, and that they need to call a certain phone number to reactivate the account. Unsuspecting callers who dial the number provided in the text message will be taken to an automated voice mail box that prompts them to key in their credit card number, expiration date and PIN to verify their information.
The scammers are targeting members of multiple financial institutions, sending the text message "lures" to mobile phone numbers assigned to customers who reside in the geographic regions served by the individual institutions. DO NOT DIAL THE PHONE NUMBER PROVIDED IN THE TEXT MESSAGE!
As a reminder, members must NEVER give sensitive information -- such as passwords, credit card numbers, social security numbers, secret words or personal identification numbers (PIN) -- over the phone, in an e-mail or through a Web site. Please also note that you will NEVER receive requests from Meriwest asking you to renew or verify information about your account.
Meriwest members who receive such requests for personal and account information are encouraged to contact us immediately to verify the legitimacy of the request by calling 877-MERIWEST or sending an e-mail to contact_center@meriwest.com.
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