Join Suncoast in the fight against
Internet Fraud and identity theft!
Last Update: 04/22/13
MEMBER NOTICE: 04/22/13
PLEASE BE ADVISED:
Suncoast Schools FCU is aware of fraudulent text messages being sent to lure members and non-members to call phone numbers and disclose financial information. These messages are not being sent from Suncoast Schools FCU and perpetrators did not acquire phone numbers from Suncoast Schools FCU.
If you have disclosed your information, we ask that you immediately call our Member Contact Center at 800-999-5887.
Suncoast Schools FCU will never ask for your personal or financial information via email or as response to text messages. The fraudulent text messages are targeted to the customers of a number of financial institutions and retailers and there are numerous ways perpetrators gain access to a list of phone numbers. One of the many ways is by purchasing geo-specific lists and choosing financial institutions with significant presence in the same area. Perpetrators make fraudulent text messages claiming to be from a financial institution hoping the consumer belongs to that institution.
Again, IF YOU HAVE DISCLOSED YOUR PERSONAL INFORMATION, we ask that you immediately call our Member Contact Center at 800-999-5887.
Please forward any suspicious phishing emails to
What can I do to prevent fraud and Identity Theft?
- Avoid using public computers for online banking or online shopping.
- Avoid using unknown Wi-Fi hotspots for online banking or online shopping.
- Do not open emails from unknown sources.
- If you believe that an email is legitimate, contact the institution to verify before proceeding.
- Do not click on the link provided via emails, go to the site by typing the address in the web-browser.
- Do not download software from unknown sites.
- Do not shop at unknown sites, especially if the offer looks too good to be true.
- Talk to your children. Ensure that they understand the risks presented by the internet. Here are two sites that help with this mission, presented by National Cyber Security Alliance, GetNetWise and Microsoft Security at Home.
- Ensure that you have antivirus software and that is up-to-date.
- Enable the Personal Firewall provided by your Computer, or Internet Service Provider.
- Download the latest security updates from your vendor, including any additional software installed after the original purchase.
What to do if you believe that you are the victim of an internet scam?
Review these Do's and Don't's to create a super-strong numeric PIN and keep it secure:
DO - Select a number memorable enough for you to remember but difficult for others to get. For instance, the day you got your favorite dog or your SAT math score would hold significance for you but it wouldn’t show up in your records.
- Choose a random six-letter word and figure out what numbers it translates into. For example, “forest” translates on your phone keypad into ‘367378,’ which doesn’t follow any specific pattern. (Not all phone keypads include letters.)
- Beware of shoulder surfers when entering your PIN in public.
DON'T - Don’t choose a year, your birthday or anniversary, for you or other family members. Anyone who is able to access your personal information can easily pick up these significant dates and use them as first options when trying figure out your PIN.
- Don’t use any other numbers that give information about you, such as your phone number, license plate number or Social Security number
- Don’t let anyone else know your PIN. If you need to do so for some emergency reason, be sure to change it as soon as possible.
- Don’t write down your PIN on documents that you often carry around, in your wallet, and especially not on your debit, credit or ATM. That’s all someone needs to access your account.
- Don't allow password protected sites to remember your PIN for you. Always enter it each time you log in.
MEMBER NOTICE: 03/05/13
PLEASE BE ADVISED:
Please beware of pop-up screens offering free credit reports while visiting the Suncoast Schools FCU website. These pop-up messages were not created nor endorsed by Suncoast Schools FCU. If you see a pop-up screen related to Free Credit Reports or any other offers while visiting our website, please check your system immediately for possible virus or adware infection. You may also need to update your antivirus software. Your privacy and safety is our constant concern. Please call the Members Contact Center at (800) 999-5887 with questions or comments.
MEMBER NOTICE: 04/06/12
Suncoast Schools Federal Credit Union wants to make you aware that unknown individuals are calling or texting Suncoast members AND non-members with a message indicating their "card" has been locked out. The message is requesting the recipient provide their card information in order for the card to be unlocked.
Please be aware that these calls and messages are fraudulent; they are not being generated by Suncoast Schools FCU, nor has Suncoast Schools FCU shared your confidential information. If you have NOT entered your information as instructed, no action is required on your part. If you HAVE provided information, please take the following steps
- If the information you provided was for a credit card, call (800) 645-7728 to have your card blocked.
- If the information you provided was for a debit card, you can block your card through SunNet Online Banking at www.suncoastfcu.org. You will the find card block option under Applications, ATM Check Card, or block the card through SunTel Automated Voice Response System at (800) 999-5887, option 4.
If you desire to verify the validity of this email, visit our website at suncoastfcu.org where you will find the text of this email under the Fraud Alert link.
MEMBER NOTICE: 03/30/12
Please be aware that a data breach has been announced in the news. While Suncoast is not directly related to this breach, rest assured that Suncoast Schools FCU is monitoring this situation closely. At the present time we have no indication this breach will adversely impact Suncoast members. However, if you believe your card has been compromised, call the Members Contact Center immediately at (800) 999-5887. If it is determined that fraud occurred on a member's account as a result of this compromise, the member will not be liable for any loss.
REMEMBER:
Suncoast Schools Federal Credit Union will NEVER ask for personal information or ask you to CONFIRM personal information of any kind in an email or text message.
This includes your PIN, passwords, credit card or debit card account numbers , expiration dates, or other confidential information . Fake emails and links to fake websites are often composed to deceive you into disclosing this information for fraud-related purposes. Unfortunately, emails of this nature are occuring more frequently at financial institutions around the country so we urge you not to offer any personal information.Do NOT open the email -- and most importantly -- do NOT enter your information.
If you receive an email asking to verify your information, please forward it to .
If you or someone in your family has followed a link and provided information, contact Suncoast at (800) 999-5887 immediately so that we can monitor your account.
Protect Yourself From Scams:
Consumers are being targeted by Scam Artists at an alarming rate. Suncoast makes every possible effort to protect our members from being victimized. However, unfortunately we cannot fight this ever-increasing problem alone.
Although we place holds on items according to Reg CC standards, often these hold periods are not sufficient for items that are returned as a fraud or counterfeit. As the endorser you are ultimately responsible for any item that is returned for non-payment.
Please inform Suncoast immediately if :
Deposit/Check Cashing:
The item your deposited/cashed was received via the mail from an unknown source, via contact with someone over the internet, for a lottery, sweepstakes, or inheritance, for the sale of an item through a publication or internet, or if the amount of the check is for more than you expected.
Cash Withdrawals:
If you are withdrawing cash at the instruction of an unknown person.
If you are withdrawing cash to be sent Western Union or via wire.
If the withdrawal is for 'excess' of a check you received previously.
If the withdrawal is to pay taxes, fees, etc for a lottery, sweepstakes, or inheritence.
If you answer YES to more than one of these questions, you are potentially a target for a fraud SCAM. Please inform Suncoast immediately, if the check or money you are negotiating falls into any of these categories or if you are withdrawing funds to wire or Western Union.
S - Source of Receipt/Source of Funds:
Did you receive this check by mail or FedEx?
Are the proceeds for more than the selling price of an item?
Are the proceeds supposed to be to cover taxes, fees, etc for other monies your are to receive?
C - Contact with Sender
Was the receipt of this check through contact you had with someone in response to an ad, a publication, over the internet, a lottery, a sweepstakes, or an unsuspected inheritance?
A - Acquaintance
You're only acquainted with the sender/issuer via anonymous means (ie. Internet, phone or mail) and have never met the individual IN PERSON that sent you the check?
M - Method of Sending Proceeds
Have you been asked to WIRE or WESTERN UNION any of the proceeds of this check?
Please note that you are responsible for any item that you negotiate. The Credit Union is not responsible for any items that are returned for non-payment. Noting that the length of time to receive a counterfeit item back can exceed normal check hold periods.
Please forward any suspicious phishing emails to
Suncoast Schools Federal Credit Union has been made aware of attempts at phishing, which has used phone calls to solicit personal cardholder information.
Fraud warning regarding identity theft and phishing fraud using the U.S. Census.
Con artists who prey on homeowners facing foreclosure.
Social engineering text phishing attempts.
Designed to extract personal financial information and implant virus.
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Realistic phish causes flood of calls!
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The IRS has issued a consumer alert warning taxpayers about a new scam targeting potential recipients of the Advance Child Tax Credit
the Fraud-Net Alert has issued a consumer alert, warning of Identity Theft
When Bad Things Happen To Your Good Name