The Moorhead Police Department is warning area residents to be on guard against an e-mail "phishing" scam being attempted against customers of a local credit union.
Moorhead Federal Credit Union is telling account holders to not release any personal information, account or PIN numbers.
"Phishing" scammers try to trick customers into giving up account numbers so they can empty accounts of funds.
In this case, customers received "official looking" e-mails, topped with the credit union's logo copied from its Web site. The scammers tell e-mail recipients that computer thieves have tried to access their accounts and that they must share account information by June 30 or their accounts will be closed.
Jeff Anstadt, the credit union CEO, said the scammers have thrown a wide web of e-mails out, with most of the people contacting the bank being non-customers.
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"We've had several calls from employees at Minnesota State University Moorhead and from individuals as far as away as from Brainerd and Fergus Falls," he said.
Anstadt said it appears the attack is originating out of California. It is the first time a phishing scam has been directed at the credit union.
He said no one has been hurt yet and hopes the credit union can filter out the charges that could be attempted by the scammers.
Anyone who has given out account information by e-mail is asked to call the credit union so new accounts can be set up. They can call the credit union at (218) 236-5193, Andstadt said.
Customers will also be warned about the scam in their quarterly statement, Anstadt said.
The credit union does not solicit customer information by e-mail and if you receive phishing e-mails, just delete them, he said.
Moorhead police also cautioned people to be wary when they are asked for personal information. They said you should be certain exactly who you are giving information to and for what purpose it will be used.
