Alerts ( 8 ) :

RMCU is aware of text smishing scams being sent to members to steal personal and financial information. The text contains a warning about unusual activity on an account and provides a URL link to verify information to regain access. These messages include a malicious URL that may include “RMCU” in the URL or in the text message to make them appear legitimate. If you receive a text message like the one below, do not respond, click on links, or call any numbers. Delete it immediately.

RMCU does provide fraud prevention via text. However, a link will NEVER be included. RMCU fraud services will send a text about a specific transaction and ask you to verify by responding with either a "Y" or a "N."

If you believe you may have already provided personal information by clicking on a link provided in a fraudulent text message, please reach out to RMCU for assistance.

BELOW IS AN EXAMPLE OF THE FRAUDULENT TEXT MESSAGE.

Phony text messages are targeting Rocky Mountain Credit Union members.

Specifically, members have reported receiving text messages about their account being restricted due to suspicious purchases. These messages are not from us. Our fraud prevention service alerts members to possible fraud purchases but requests you to reply with a Y if the transaction is valid or N if the transaction is fraud. Rocky Mountain CU will never ask you to enter your personal account information, PIN number, CVV code or full Social Security Numbers in a text or email. Read our tips on how to handle these situations and stay protected again financial institution smishing scams.

Smishers typically send a text that’s intended to trick you into giving away personal information, like your passwords, account numbers or Social Security number. They use that information to gain access to your email or bank accounts. Smishers have lots of ways to get you to share sensitive information. According to the Federal Trade Commission, some of the most popular tactics include:

• Asking you to verify purchases
• Claiming issues with your payment information
• Offering prizes or gift cards
• Sending fake package delivery notifications
• Warning you of suspicious activity on one of your account.

These texts are so effective because they’re often similar to texts you already receive from RMCU or other financial institutions. If you click the fake link, you might be asked for personal information or malware may be installed on your phone that can extract information automatically. Or the link might lead to a fake version of a website where you are asked to enter your password. If you attempt to log in, the scammers can steal your username and password.

IF YOU RECEIVE ONE OF THESE TEXTS PLEASE FORWARD TO #7726. THIS AUTOMATICALLY BLOCKS THESE MESSAGES AS SPAM FROM YOUR WIRELESS CARRIER.

How to Protect Yourself

With a little bit of caution, you can take steps to avoid becoming a victim of theft. If you’re unsure if a text is legitimate, follow these dos and don’ts.

DO

• Do contact the supposed text sender directly. Locate a phone number that you know to be legitimate, such as the phone number on the back of your debit or credit card.
• Then contact the business to determine if they are the ones contacting you.
• Do forward spam and scam texts to 7726 (SPAM). Once you confirm the number is a Smisher, forward the text to 7726 (SPAM). Doing so sends the text to your carrier to investigate.
• Do Block scam phone numbers. If you’re not sure how, reach out to your wireless carrier for help.

DON’T

• Don’t be fooled by a familiar area code. Smishers can use tools to make it look as though the text is from a local number.
• Don’t click links in text messages. Links are often used to install malware or keyloggers—software that tracks what you type. If you’ve clicked a link by mistake, consider installing an antivirus app to scan your device.
• Don’t respond to suspicious text messages. Most financial institutions, including Rocky Mountain CU, do use text messages to verify suspicious purchases. However, those texts will never request personal information.

Like spring cleaning for your finances, Financial Literacy Month is a great time to dust off your knowledge for spotting and avoiding scams. The best way to make a clean getaway from a scam? Listen to how they tell you to pay.

If someone tells you:

• “Pay us by putting money on a gift card and then give us the number on the back.” — That’s a scam.
• “We’ll send you a check, deposit the check, and then send us the money.”— That’s a scam. (That check will later turn out to be fake and you will be on the hook for the money.)
• “You have to pay us by sending money through a money transfer company like MoneyGram or Western Union.” — That’s a scam.
• “Go to a store with a cryptocurrency ATM, put your money in to buy cryptocurrency, and use this QR code to send it to this address.” — That’s a scam.

For more information please visit the FTC's website.

We are currently experiencing high volumes of fraudulent transactions from WALMART.COM. Our fraud team is working diligently to combat these instances. In the meantime, to protect our members from this fraud we have blocked transactions from WALMART.COM. If you need to purchase from WALMART.COM, you will receive a fraud alert via email, text and/or phone call from our fraud services team. You can verify the transaction and continue your purchase with confidence.

Questions?

Send us a secure message.

Visit the Federal Trade Commission for updated information on keeping your information safe.

Visit the Federal Trade Commission's website for more information.

Montana Department of Justice Office of Consumer Protection website has the most up-to-date listing of common scams.

Visit the Federal Trade Commission's website for more information.