Cape Regional Credit Union warning of ID theft e-mail scam

The Cape Regional Credit Union is warning members of an e-mail identity theft scam.

The e-mail, which was reported to the credit union last week, tells recipients their bank card has been deactivated. The fraudulent e-mail states that "for your security, the card and PIN have been disabled."

An 800 phone number is given, and recipients are asked to call and reactivate their card.

Credit union president Jim Cauble said such scams are becoming more common.

"No financial institution will call and ask you to verify your personal information," Cauble said. "This is something that happens constantly and is ongoing. I don't expect it to let up."

Cauble said people may believe the Internet is a secure place to conduct financial transactions. However, he said if users want to give out personal information over the Internet, the website should have an address that begins with "https://" and a lock in the corner of the window.

"There are so many sites out there and people may be tempted to open up links on their e-mail because they've become used to it," Cauble said. "But never open an attachment unless you've verified the source."

According to the credit union website, suspicious e-mails or calls should be reported to the Federal Trade Commission at www.consumer.gov/idtheft or 877-438-4338. Formal complaints concerning suspected fraudulent e-mails may be filed with the Internet Fraud Complaint Center at www.IC3.gov. The center is a partnership between the National White Collar Crime Center and the FBI.

Cpl. Jason Selzer, spokesman for the Cape Girardeau Police Department, said 38 cases of identity theft have been reported in the city in 2008. Twenty-four cases were reported in 2007, and 47 cases were reported in 2006.

Selzer said consumers should use their best judgment when they receive suspicious e-mails.

"Common sense is the most important piece of advice," Selzer said. "If you receive an e-mail where they person is asking for money, chances are that 99.9 percent of the time it's a scam."

bblackwell@semissourian.com

388-3628

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