Expanded Lesson
6 min read
Don't Be Fooled: Know What Information Ent Will Never Ask You For
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Here at Ent Credit Union, we go to great lengths to protect our members. A new scam has started affecting some of our patrons, and we want to help you stay safe. Learn how to protect your financial and personal information online, so you don’t have to worry about a stranger taking your money. Instead of robbing banks with black hoods over their faces, today’s thieves spend their time scamming everyday consumers and businesses out of their hard-earned money. Suspicious calls, texts, and emails can catch some people off guard, giving fraudsters a chance to drain their bank account.
LESSON CONTENTS
What You Need to Know About the Latest Scam
To trick people out of their money, scammers usually send suspicious emails, texts, and calls to unsuspecting victims. The message or sender looks like the real thing, so the targeted person voluntarily gives away their login information, social security number, or personal data. The scammers then use the victim’s data to log in to their account and transfer their money to another account.
Scammers often target members at financial institutions like Ent Credit Union to get access to financial data. As this trend continues, people are being cheated out of their money.
How the Ent Scam Works
Based on what we’re hearing from our members, it all starts when they receive a phone call from what looks like a local Ent Credit Union service center or Ent Federal, according to the caller ID. The scammers pretend they are calling from the Ent call center.
If the member answers the spam call, the person on the other line pretending to be with Ent will usually ask for the member’s online banking password and username. If the member gives away this information over the phone, the scammer will try logging into their account using the information provided.
When someone logs into your account using a new device, Ent will ask them to enter a verification code. The temporary code is sent to the true owner of the account, so they can log in securely. To get past this step, the scammer will ask the member for the verification code they just received. This gives the scammer full access to the member’s account. They can then transfer the funds and empty the account, robbing the member blind.
This scam has been happening to both young adults and seniors. Scammers often target older individuals that may have trouble navigating the internet or verifying suspicious calls and emails.
Everyone should be on the lookout for these kinds of fraudulent attacks.
Information Ent Will Never Ask You For
There are some things Ent will never ask you to give out over the phone. Banking often requires the use of sensitive, personal information, such as your social security number, but you should never release this information over the phone, via text, or email, even if it seems like the person contacting you is from an official Ent branch. Ent will never call you and ask you to give out the following information:
- Credit or debit card PIN.
- Online banking username and password.
- Account number or routing number.
- CVV2 code on the back of your credit or debit card.
- Full Social Security number.
- Verification code.
You should never give this information away over the phone, text, or email. If you are a current member, chances are Ent already has this information on file. You will only need this information when setting up a new account, applying for a loan, or taking out a new credit card. This should be done either in-person at a local Ent service center or online using the official Ent website. Even if a webpage, email, or screenshot has the official Ent logo, it’s always better to err on the side of caution and report it to the authorities if you feel that something is wrong.
What to Do If You Receive a Suspicious Call or Message
There are several things you can do if you feel you’re being targeted in a spam attack. When you encounter a suspicious email, text, or call, you can always verify that it’s the real thing by calling call Ent directly at 800-525-9623. Don’t be afraid to contact one of our member service representatives for more information. They will walk you through the latest scam and make sure your finances and personal information are still safe. Be sure to save and copy any information related to the attack, including screenshots of emails, text messages, pop-up windows, and phone numbers. Share this with your local Ent service center, so we can report it to the authorities and better protect our members from spam.
Other Ways to Protect Your Money Online
Phishing Emails
Phishing emails are a particular kind of cyber threat. The member will get an email from what looks like their credit union. The member clicks to open the email, which usually asks them to verify their account. The email may even have the Ent official company logo, but this doesn’t mean it’s a legitimate email. It may say that the member needs to change their password for security reasons while asking them to click on a link. But spammers often use phishing emails to upload malware onto people’s computers, which can be used to access their personal information. You shouldn’t click on these kinds of emails and links unless you are absolutely sure they’re from Ent.
Avoid emails and messages that list steps for actions you didn’t initiate yourself, such as changing your password, resetting your username, or opening a new account. You are the only one who can initiate these processes. Ent will never ask you to do something you didn’t request in the first place.
Beware of opening emails with attachments as well. Ent will never send you an email with an attachment unless you request a specific piece of information online.
Install Cybersecurity Software on Your Devices
There’s so much valuable information on our phones and computers, so do your part to protect these devices. Install the latest malware protection software on your electronics to better protect yourself from spam and phishing attacks. Practice proper digital hygiene by not sharing your personal information via text, email, or social media. Update your passwords often and use a complex series of numbers, letters, and characters to stop fraudsters from guessing your password.
If you suspect you’ve been hacked, you can always change your password and check your account on the official Ent website. Use the Ent mobile app to verify your account on the go. If the credit union needs to reach you, you will receive a pop-up push notification on your phone with the official Ent app logo, so you don’t need to worry about suspicious texts and emails.
Keep this information in mind to protect your money and identity online. Cyberattacks and malware are just a part of life now that we live in the digital age. Stay up to date with the latest scam news to keep your money in your account where it belongs.
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