For more information: 
Phil Tschudy 608/231-7188  philip.tschudy@cunamutual.com
Rick Uhlmann 608/231-8940  rick.uhlmann@cunamutual.com

Oct. 31, 2007

CUNA Mutual Urges Credit Unions To Warn Members of Online California Wildfire Scams
 
MADISON, WI – CUNA Mutual Group is advising credit unions to warn their members about online scams relating to the California wildfires.

Websense Inc., a recognized Web filtering and desktop security software provider, announced its security research team has discovered suspicious online scams designed by criminals to steal money from those donating to the California fire effort.

“Unfortunately, as we saw with Katrina and several other recent emergencies, there are criminals who attempt to divert monies intended for the victims by creating bogus online donation Web sites and advertising them on high-traffic Web sites,” said Dan Hubbard, vice president of security research, Websense. “These criminals are trying to take advantage of the amazing outpouring of support locally, state-wide and internationally.

Vince Wagner, risk manager with CUNA Mutual Credit Union Protection, said the company has issued a Risk Alert to its Bond policyholder credit unions advising them to alert their members to the scams and encourage them to follow these loss prevention recommendations provided by Websense before donating online:

• Ensure you are dealing with legitimate organizations.
• Contact these organizations on your own.
• Go to their Web site rather than clicking on a link in an email sent to you.
• Remember that legitimate organizations will not aggressively approach people for money and donations.
• Be mindful of groups reporting to be affiliated with legitimate organizations asking for donations or requesting you to visit their Web site. They may be fraudulent or hosting malicious code designed to steal personal financial information.
• Be wary of online auctions that claim to support the donation effort.
• Report suspicious Internet sites and emails to the government, and for additional protection tips visit the Internet Crime Complaint Center at www.ic3.gov or the Federal government’s consumer information center at www.consumer.gov/Tech.htm.

CUNA Mutual has added to its Web site a link to www.CUAid.coop, the national online giving center for credit unions sponsored by the National Credit Union Foundation (NCUF).  NCUF, in collaboration with the California Credit Union League, is raising funds to help credit union members and employees who have suffered losses due to the wildfires.

All contributions are directed to the NCUF Disaster Relief Fund.  To access CUAid.coop through CUNA Mutual’s Web site, go to www.cunamutual.com, click on “My Services for Credit Union Staff;" “News and Events;” and “Donations From Credit Unions and Members Can Help California Wildfire Victims.”

CUNA Mutual Group is the leading provider of financial products and services to credit unions and their members worldwide. More information on the company is available on the company’s Web site at www.cunamutual.com.