Kauai Community Federal Credit Union was recently the target of a “phishing” e-mail attack. “The criminals that sent out this e-mail copied our logo and imitated the ‘look and feel’ of our messages to try and persuade online banking users
Kauai Community Federal Credit Union was recently the target of a “phishing” e-mail attack.
“The criminals that sent out this e-mail copied our logo and imitated the ‘look and feel’ of our messages to try and persuade online banking users that the e-mail was genuine,” Charles Carveiro, a vice president with KCFCU, said in a release.
Carveiro said there is nothing KCFCU can do to prevent this type of fraud in the future.
“Only through education and awareness can we hope to protect ourselves from identity theft and phishing,” he said.
Phishing is the practice of sending an e-mail that appears to be from a financial institution with the goal of persuading online banking users to share sensitive information that can be used to commit fraud or identity theft.
Reputable Web sites never ask consumers to click on an e-mail link to share sensitive financial information, KCFCU officials said.
KCFCU learned about the attack on Aug. 15 by fraudulent e-mails they received, as well as phone calls and forwarded e-mails from members and non-members, the KCFCU release states.
Carveiro said KCFCU is using its Web site, branch employees and materials to provide instructions for online banking users who were “hooked” by the phishers. Important precautions include changing online banking passwords and monitoring account activity, KCFCU officials said.
