Star USA Federal Credit Union Members,

It has come to our attention that customers of Star USA FCU have received emails, such as the example below, asking for credit card information. This activity is called "Phishing."  Phishers hijack brand names of banks, e-retailers and credit card companies to convince recipients to respond by providing financial data such as credit card numbers, account usernames, passwords and social security numbers.  

Example of a Fraudulent Email:

Dear Star USA FCU Card holder,

You have one new private message!

Click here to resolve problem.

We apologize for any inconvenience this may cause, and appreciate your assistance in helping us maintain the integrity of the entire Credit Union. Thank you for your prompt attention to this matter.

Please do not reply to this mail. Mail sent to this address cannot be answered.

Tips for spotting fraudulent email:

• Frequently these emails make some form of urgent appeal to provoke you to take action immediately. For example, stating that your account may be closed if you fail to confirm, verify or authenticate information immediately.
• There are embedded links that look legitimate because they contain all or part of a real company's name. These links take you to fraudulent sites (or pop-up windows) that ask you to enter, confirm or update sensitive personal information. Sometimes the emails instruct the recipient to enter the information into the body of the email.
• There may be obvious spelling or grammatical errors.
• The writing may be awkward or inappropriate.
• The visual or design quality may be poor.
• Fraudulent emails typically will not provide alternative methods for communicating the requested information (i.e., telephone, mail, and physical locations).
• Fraudulent emails often provide a general greeting and don't identify you by name.
• Fraudulent emails may contain attachments asking you to install software so that fraudsters can use it to record your keystrokes and online activity.

Generally, Credit Unions do not:

• Send urgent or time-sensitive emails that ask you to provide, update or confirm sensitive data like your Online User ID or Password, Personal Identification Number (PIN), Social Security Number, ATM/Debit Card or account number, credit card number or expiration date, or mother's maiden name.
• Require you to enter anything other than your Online User ID and Password.
• Send you an email that tells you to provide personal information because it's for your own security.
• Send you an email with input fields that ask you for sensitive information.
• Send emails without providing alternative methods of communication.
• Send email with attachments asking you to install software.

For more information and on how to report Phishing and other email scams access www.antiphishing.com. If you have any questions regarding your account, contact your Star USA representative.

Sincerely,

Star USA FCU

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