Fraud Alerts

Keep yourself safe from new fraud scams

With the recent news about a few bank failures, many vendors are updating their banking information. Scammers are using this moment of change to take advantage of unsuspecting members. By preying on common anxieties, fraudsters can trick you into sending money to a phony bank account or providing your personal banking information.

Remember to stay calm and be skeptical of banking update requests. By following these tips, you can keep yourself safe from potential scams:

  • Don’t click on anything in an unsolicited email or text message asking you to update or verify account information.

  • Never send funds to a merchant until you can confirm that the request to change a payment destination is legitimate, like a statement from them or a verified phone number.

  • Don’t rely only on caller ID to confirm someone’s identity, as scammers can compromise that too.

  • Look up the company’s phone number through a legitimate source like a statement provided by the company, and don’t use the number a potential scammer is providing.

  • Take your time. A legitimate UARK Federal Credit Union associate will never pressure you to immediately make a decision. They’ll provide you with all the necessary information and specifictime frames to make your decision.

  • When in doubt, hang up the phone and call your UARK Federal Credit Union local branch directly. You may call us at the number listed on the back of your debit or credit card and bank statement.

 If you have any questions or need assistance, please contact your local branch.

Fraudulent Message Regarding Activity

UARK members, if you receive a text or phone message appearing to alert you of unusual debit activity, Do not engage with or respond to a text like this. Instead, if you have any concerns, always contact us directly at phone numbers you know to be UARK FCU or visit your local branch.

Never provide PIN, digital banking credentials or other sensitive information to anyone who calls or texts you to ask for it – even if they claim to be us. We will never ask for that information.

If you believe you may have given your information by mistake, please contact us immediately so we can take steps to protect your accounts.

• Call 479-521-1199 (Van Asche), 501-686-6419 (Little Rock/UAMS), 479-313-8999 (S. Hill) or 800-499-8328.

• Change your Digital Banking Password.

• Refresh Digital Banking Security Questions.

• Setup Digital Banking notifications to more actively monitor your account activity.

Pay Yourself Scam

Watch for red flags to avoid scams! If something seems a little fishy, stop and call UARK yourself at the number on the back of your debit card. Your credit union will NEVER call you and ask you to send money to yourself.

Selling stuff online? Here’s how to avoid a scam.

October is Cybersecurity Awareness Month!

Do Your Part. #BeCyberSmart.

Scammers reportedly using fake unemployment benefits websites as phishing lures

Cash App Scam

Be careful when using any Cash App, use only websites and phone numbers you are familiar with. We are currently seeing this text message, 750USD Cash*App requires your confirmation. Information on recent Scam Alerts.

Fraud Alert/Phone Scam

An automated phone scam has been targeting debit and credit card users. The automated phone call plays a recording informing the card user their credit or debit card has been blocked. The user is then asked to verify personal and/or card information. This is a problem affecting credit union members nationwide.

  • What should you do if you receive this call? DO NOT provide personal or card information from unknown parties.

  • If you do give your personal information to such a call, contact UARK FCU immediately. By acting quickly, we can change your card information to prevent fraudulent activity.

Fraud Alert/E-Mail Scam

UARK is aware of a new phishing email scam. These emails are titled "Your Credit Union Rewards You." Also included in this email is a link which “supposedly” allows you to collect the reward. Neither UARK nor the Credit Union National Association offers this type of program. DO NOT provide this site with your personal information.

The Credit Union National Association is the trade association for credit unions in the US. CUNA does not maintain any type of customer/member financial information. Additionally, UARK would never request personal identification information over the phone or via an e-mail solicitation. If you did respond to this e-mail, you should contact a member service representative immediately at 479-521-1199 or 1-800-499-8328

Internet/E-Mail Fraud Alerts

Recently, there have been multiple e-mail fraud attempts, known as “Phishing”, that were initiated via e-mail sent to both the general public and to some credit union members that appeared to be from NCUA. This false e-mail asked for the recipient to click on a link to verify their credit union account registration. If the recipient proceeded to do so, the link directed them to a false website and asked for their credit union account number and PIN, along with other personal information.

NCUA does not ask credit unions members for such personal information. Anyone who receives an e-mail that purports to be from NCUA and asks for account information should consider it to be a fraudulent attempt to obtain their personal account data for an illegal purpose and should not follow the instructions in the e-mail.

If you responded to such an e-mail and provided any confidential account information, please notify your credit union immediately of the scheme. You should also change your account’s PIN, and take any additional action recommended by your credit union to protect your account.

If you feel that you have received a fraudulent phishing e-mail purportedly from NCUA please forward the entire e-mail message to Phishing@ncua.gov.

Additionally, you can file formal complaints concerning any suspected fraudulent e-mail with the Internet Fraud Complaint Center (IFCC) at ncua@ic3.gov. The IFCC is a partnership between the Federal Bureau of Investigation, and the National White Collar Crime Center.

Monday, February 6: CUNA is aware of a phishing scam generating multiple copies of a message asking to update your personal account. THIS IS A PHISHING SCAM – DELETE THE MESSAGES.

CUNA will never solicit e-mails requesting your credit union username, password, pin number, or other personal identity information.

Have questions? Contact us at: questions@uarkfcu.com