The FBI issued an e-scam alert (back in May - hopefully this isn't too late!) that warns of a scam involving IRS stimulus payments. You can access the e-scam alert here. Here is part of the alert:
The FBI warns consumers of recently reported spam e-mail purportedly from the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) which is actually an attempt to steal consumer information. The e-mail advises the recipient that direct deposit is the fastest and easiest way to receive their economic stimulus tax rebate. The message contains a hyperlink to a fraudulent form which requests the recipient's personally identifiable information, including bank account information. To convince consumers to reply, the e-mail warns that a failure to complete the form in a timely manner will delay the issuance of the rebate check.
Why should compliance officers care about this? NCUA's security guidelines require credit unions to take appropriate steps to safeguard sensitive member information. In recent guidance, NCUA suggests that education campaigns alerting members to phishing scams and other threats are a good idea. Here's a timely threat to your members that you may want to incorporate into some sort of member education. Or you should be aware of it, at the very least.
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