Online Financial Scam Alert

DATE: 11AUG20 | MCIPAC – MCB CAMP BUTLER, PUBLIC BULLETIN (PDF)

(U) Situational Awareness:

In 2020, the MCIPAC Criminal Investigation Division conducted multiple investigations regarding fraudulent use of bank account information. Recently, suspects have hacked social media profiles to entice service members by offering “fast cash” in the following phishing schemes:

Top Trends of Phishing

• Trend #1: Victims contacted via Instagram, Facebook Messenger, or Snapchat by profiles posing as Marines, requesting banking username and password with a promise of large deposits via NFCU. Many victims were locked out of their accounts.
• Trend #2: Suspects request pictures of the front and back of debit cards promising large deposits via NFCU.
• Trend #3: Victims contact advertisement pages offering fast cash and are then directed to one of the schemes above.
• Trend #4: Victims receive emails to change their Apple password, leading to requests for email, old password, credit card, and social security numbers.

In all cases, victims were unaware that personal loans over $10,000 were taken out in their name. They were then requested or threatened to withdraw the lump sum or part of it and send it via USPS, Apple Pay, or Cash App.

(U) Criminal Investigation Division Advises:

• Do not give out personal financial information.
• Do not accept friend/follower requests from unknown people.
• The bank will never request your secure login information.
• Social media solicitations promising “fast cash” are not genuine ways to earn wages.
• If a financial fraudulent scheme occurs, contact your local PMO office.
• If a social media friend contacts you about “fast cash,” their account was hacked.