The Bottom Line
Small business is important to Central Oregon, and to Mid Oregon. Find tips and resources for business, and information about Mid Oregon’s commercial services and business members.
Hi Mom, I Lost My Phone: The text scam that could empty your bank account.
What happens
Your phone alerts you to a new text. You pick it up and it’s a text from an unknown number that says, “Hi Mom, I lost my phone. Text me back at this number.” You’re perplexed. What do you do? Well, you stop right there. Why? That message probably isn’t from your kid. It’s part of a scam that’s been making the rounds for a while, and unfortunately, it’s still working.
Common Tricks
A common one goes like this: “Hi mom my phone broke. Can you text me back please on this number +1XXXXXXXXX.” There are variations on the text wording, but it is usually all a similar message including a lost phone. It might also arrive via another text app, such as WhatsApp.
Here’s how it plays out: Scammers send out messages pretending to be a child who’s lost their phone and now needs help. Of course, it’s usually money they want. Once you text them back, they start the ruse. It could be any number of wants, but they try to tug at your heartstrings, asking for urgent help paying a bill or buying a new phone, and then provide payment details that go straight into the scammer’s pocket. And by the time you figure it out? They’re long gone.
So how do you protect yourself?
- Don’t respond right away. Call or text your child’s real number first—even if you think it’s possible that the phone truly is lost.
- Never send money or gift cards without independently verifying who you’re really talking to. Don’t use a phone provided in a text or email unless you are 100% sure it’s legit. Frankly, if they’re asking for gift cards or crypto, it’s most likely some type of scam.
- Talk with your family and set up a “code word” you can use in case of real emergencies. This is also helpful for those ever-growing AI scams.
Bottom line: Scammers count on urgency and panic. Stay calm, verify everything, and don’t let a fake message break your bank account.
For more tips on protecting your personal information, visit Mid Oregon’s Security and Fraud Page: https://ow.ly/hjHm50V9XE1.
The Future of Mid Oregon: A New Chapter for Growth
Your Voice, Our Future: An Important Vote for Mid Oregon’s Next Chapter
I am excited to announce an important proposal that will help shape the future of Mid Oregon. On October 10, we will hold a Special Meeting to discuss converting Mid Oregon from a federal credit union to an Oregon state-chartered credit union.
This strategic move is designed to enhance your credit union experience and strengthen our position in the communities we serve.
WHY THIS MATTERS FOR YOU
- Expanded Growth Opportunities: A state charter enables us to grow beyond the Central Oregon market, offering our members better value, competitive products, and enhanced services.
- Modern Governance: The conversion promotes modern governance, helping us attract top-tier directors for our complex operations.
- Greater Flexibility & Parity: We gain expanded authority under the Oregon charter while retaining benefits of our federal charter through state “parity provisions.”
ARE THERE ANY DOWNSIDES?
- We do not anticipate any disadvantages or adverse changes to the services and benefits you currently receive as a member.
- Your accounts will continue to be insured by the National Credit Union Share Insurance Fund (NCUSIF) up to $250,000, just as they are now.
- The estimated cost of this conversion, covering various fees and changes, is approximately $130,000.
YOUR VOTE COUNTS
Your vote on this proposition is crucial. In September, you will receive a ballot along with further information regarding the charter conversion in the mail. We ask that you complete and mail your ballot, or deliver it to one of our eight branches, no later than October 7. Your support is appreciated as we embark on this exciting journey to create an even stronger, more adaptable, and competitive Mid Oregon for the future.
Are You Fraud Savvy? Take the quiz!
Question 1: You receive an email from a major online retailer announcing a fantastic, limited-time sale. The email asks you to click a link to access the deals. What’s the first thing you should do?
- Click the link immediately, so you don’t miss out on the sale.
- Reply to the email asking for more details about the sale.
- Hover your mouse over the link to see the actual URL before clicking.
- Forward the email to all your friends so they can get the deals too.
Question 2: You get a call from someone claiming to be from Mid Oregon’s fraud department. They say there’s a suspicious transaction on your account and they need your full account number and PIN to verify your identity. How should you respond?
- Provide them with the information they’re asking for to resolve the issue.
- Hang up and call Mid Oregon’s main number.
- Tell them you’ll call them back later after you’ve checked your account online.
- Give them your account number but refuse to give them your PIN.
Question 3: You’re shopping online and notice a website with extremely low prices, but the website’s design looks a little unprofessional and some of the product images are blurry. What should you do?
- Place a small order to see if it’s legitimate.
- Ignore the signs and place a large order to take advantage of the low prices.
- Close the website and search for the products on a more reputable, well-known site.
- Contact the website’s customer service to ask about the low prices.
Question 4: You receive a text message from a “package delivery service” saying they couldn’t deliver your package and you need to pay a small fee by clicking a link to reschedule the delivery. What is the safest course of action?
- Click the link and pay the fee to get your package.
- Ignore the text message.
- Check the tracking number provided in the text message on the official courier’s website.
- Forward the text to the real package delivery service to ask if it’s legitimate.
Question 5: You’re about to make an online purchase. You notice the website’s URL starts with “http://” instead of “https://”. Should you proceed?
- Yes, it’s just a minor difference in the address.
- No, the “s” in “https” stands for “secure” and indicates the site is encrypted.
- It doesn’t matter, as long as you’re using a strong password.
- Only if you’re using a public Wi-Fi network.
For more tips on protecting your personal information, visit Mid Oregon’s Security and Fraud Page: https://ow.ly/hjHm50V9XE1.
#FraudPreventionFriday #ScamAwareness #FinancialSafety #ProtectYourself #FraudEducation #ScamAlert #StaySafeOnline #CyberSecurityTips #FraudAwareness
Answers
Question 1: C. Hovering over the link allows you to check the URL for anything suspicious, like misspellings or a strange domain name, which are common signs of a phishing scam.
Question 2: B. Mid Oregon will NEVER ask for your Digital Banking login credentials and passwords, PINs, SSNs, complete card numbers or any other sensitive information. Always hang up and call our main number to ensure you are speaking with a real member service representative.
Question 3: C. Unprofessional website design, blurry images, and prices that seem too good to be true are all major red flags for a fraudulent website. It’s best to close the site and shop elsewhere.
Question 4: B. This is a common smishing (SMS phishing) scam. Legitimate delivery services will not typically ask for payment via a random link in a text message. If you’re expecting a package, check the tracking number directly on the official website or app of the courier.
Question 5: B. The “s” in “https” means the connection is secure and encrypted, protecting your personal and financial information. Websites starting with “http” are not secure and should be avoided for any transactions involving sensitive data.