Watchdog Agency Targeted as Part of Phishing Scam

WASHINGTON–The federal agency that has for years been warning credit unions and their members about various Internet-based scams has now found itself the target of just such an attempt at defrauding consumers. Phishers have sent bogus e-mails to consumers claiming to be from the Federal Trade Commission and asking recipients to reveal personal financial information. Also targeted as part of the scam: the Internal Revenue Service and Justice Department. Earlier the IRS had reported receiving 23,000 complaints related to phishing scams claiming to be from the tax collector and offering information on an unclaimed tax refund. J. Russell George, Treasury Inspector General for Tax Administration, released a statement calling the latest scam attempts “unprecedented both in terms of sophistication and the volume of reports we have received.” Credit unions should be alert that many members may be victimized—Consumer Reports recently estimated that 8.2% of household have provided personal information to phishers over the past two years.