John Day, OR – Banking customers in Grant County are being warned to stay vigilant against a new text scam that is circulating in the area. The scam involves fraudulent text messages claiming to be from Old West Federal Credit Union, attempting to deceive recipients into clicking malicious links.
One local citizen alerted the newsroom after receiving a deceptive message stating their account had insufficient funds and including a suspicious link. Fortunately, the individual did not engage with the link and instead contacted the credit union directly for verification.
The Nature of the Scam Texts
The fraudulent messages falsely claim to be from Old West Federal Credit Union and warn of issues like low account balances or other urgent banking problems. The texts typically contain a link that, if clicked, could jeopardize the recipient’s personal information or banking security.
- Claim: Insufficient funds notification from Old West Federal Credit Union
- Action urged: Click on included link for account details
- Reality: The credit union does not send such texts
- Potential risk: Phishing, identity theft, or malware installation
How to Protect Yourself and Respond
Experts advise residents to be cautious when receiving unsolicited messages about their bank accounts, especially those urging immediate action via links or attachments.
“Old West Federal Credit Union has confirmed these texts are scams and that they do not send such messages to their customers,” said a credit union spokesperson. “If you receive such a text, do not click on any links and contact us directly for verification.”
If you believe you have been targeted or affected by this scam, you can file a complaint through the Federal Trade Commission’s website at ReportFraud.ftc.gov.
Community Awareness and Importance of Vigilance
Local authorities and financial institutions emphasize the importance of community vigilance to prevent falling victim to scams like this one. By staying informed and verifying suspicious communications, Grant County banking customers can safeguard their financial information.
- Always verify messages by contacting your bank directly
- Do not click on links or download attachments from unknown sources
- Report suspected fraud to the FTC promptly
