SECURITY ALERT -- Fraudulent E-Mail Targets Various CU Members

877-MERIWEST (877-637-4937)

SECURITY ALERT -- Fraudulent E-Mail Targets Various CU Members

06/06/07

Beware of an e-mail that attempts to steal your personal account information.

Meriwest Credit Union is warning members of a fraudulent e-mail currently being sent to members of various credit unions.

The scam e-mail is made up of a brief message urging members to "renew" their account in order to have full access to it. It will be followed by the following explanation about why a member is receiving this e-mail:

"The purpose of this task is to keep your account safe and stable so that you can be fully satisfied. This procedure is taken once 2 years and it will take you only a minute. Next renewal date: June/2009."

If the scammer were to target Meriwest members, the fraudulent e-mail will likely have the Meriwest Credit Union logo. It may also have a large headline that reads "ONLINE ACCOUNT RENEWAL."

It also asks you to "renew" your account information by clicking on a link that appears to originate from Meriwest.

Finally, the end of the e-mail includes a disclaimer that threatens possible suspension of a member's account if personal information is not entered properly, as well as the logo for the National Credit Union Administration (NCUA).

Do not be fooled by any of this! This e-mail is not a valid request for information from Meriwest.

As a reminder, members must NEVER send sensitive information -- such as passwords, credit card numbers, social security numbers, secret words or personal identification numbers (PIN) -- in an e-mail or submit them through a Web site. In addition, members are advised NEVER to click directly on links in an e-mail that requests these types of sensitive information, even if members recognize and trust the address. These links can actually redirect you to a fake Web site that appears legitimate.

Please note that you will NEVER receive an e-mail from Meriwest asking you to renew or verify information about your account. If you do, please report it to us immediately by calling 877-MERIWEST or send an e-mail to contact_center@meriwest.com.

If you are a member of the Press and would like additional information or to request an interview, please contact our Corporate Communications Department at 408-365-6328 or corp_communications@meriwest.com.

For all non-media inquiries, please e-mail contact_center@meriwest.com or call: 877-MERIWEST (877-637-4937)

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Your savings federally insured to at least $100,000 and backed by the full faith and credit of the United States Government by the National Credit Union Administration, a U.S. Government Agency. Certificate accounts with an original term of one year or greater are privately insured by American Share Insurance for up to an additional $100,000. We do business in accordance with the Federal Fair Housing Law and Equal Credit Opportunity Act. Copyright 2008 Meriwest. All rights reserved.