Credit unions across the country are reporting that their members are receiving unsolicited text messages. It's an attempt at Smishing, the latest form of phishing. In Smishing, an e-mail tries to lure a recipient into giving personal information via SMS, the communications protocol used to send text messages to a wireless device. The recent scam is targeting credit union and other financial institution members.

In smishing, the members receive a text message via cell phone, warning that their account has been closed due to suspicious activity. It then tells them they need to call a certain phone number to reactivate the account.

Unsuspecting callers who dial the number provided in the text message will be taken to an automated voice mail box that prompts them to key in their credit card or debit card number, expiration date, and PIN to verify their information.

If you have been a victim of this scam, take these steps immediately:
Place a fraud alert on your credit reports, ask for a free copy of your credit report, and review those reports for evidence of accounts you didn't open. Fraud unit contacts are:

Equifax 800-525-6285
P.O. Box 740241, Atlanta, GA 30374-0241
www.equifax.com

Experian 888-397-3742
P.O. Box 9532, Allen, TX 75013
www.experian.com

TransUnion 800-680-7289
P.O. Box 6790, Fullerton, CA 92834-6790
www.transunion.com

* Close accounts--including share drafts/checks or ATM cards--that have been tampered with or used fraudulently. Contact all financial institutions and lenders, credit card issuers, utility companies, and the Social Security Administration to notify them of the fraud. Follow up each conversation with a letter.

* File a report with law enforcement and insist on getting a copy of the report or the report number.

* File a complaint with the FTC. Visit ftc.gov/bcp/edu/microsites/idtheft/ for more information or call 877-IDTHEFT.