On this page we will notify you of any scams that we have learned about that may directly affect the security of your California Bear Credit Union Account.

Fraudulent E-Mails Claiming to be from the FDIC

The Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (FDIC) has warned of e-mails that appear to be sent from the FDIC that ask recipients to download and open a "personal FDIC insurance file" to check their deposit insurance coverage. These e-mails are fraudulent and were not sent by the FDIC. The FDIC is attempting to identify the source of the e-mails and disrupt the transmission.

Currently, the subject line of the fraudulent e-mails includes the wording "check your Bank Deposit Insurance Coverage." The e-mails state: "You have received this message because you are a holder of a FDIC-insured bank account. Recently FDIC has officially named the bank you have opened your account with as a failed bank, thus, taking control of its assets."

The e-mails ask recipients to "visit the official FDIC website" by clicking on a hyperlink provided, which appears to be related to the FDIC and directs recipients to a fraudulent Web site. The Web site includes hyperlinks that appear to open forms. However, it is believed that clicking on the hyperlinks will cause an unknown executable file to be downloaded. While the FDIC is working with the United States Computer Emergency Readiness Team (US-CERT) to determine the exact effects of the executable file, recipients should consider the intent of the software as a malicious attempt to collect personal or confidential information, some of which may be used to gain unauthorized access to online banking services or to conduct identity theft. Financial institutions and consumers should NOT access the Web site or download the executable files provided on the Web site.

This is a scam, please don't visit the website that is listed in the message.

Text Message "Account Closed" Scam

It has come to our attention that some of our members are receiving at text message stating the following:

"Dear member, your CaliforniaCU account is closed due to unusual activity. Call 1-866-310-2545. "

Please note that California Bear Credit Union, any other reputable financial institution, would not send out a broadcast text message to it's members or customers with information about their account.

This is a scam, please don't call the phone number listed in the text message.

Real Estate Loan Modification Scam

It has come to our attention that perpetrators of loan modification scams are using publicly-available mortgage information to send out “offers” to borrowers that appear to be endorsed by or offered by the lender.  In the cases we have seen, the lenders had no knowledge of the scam until it was brought to their attention by an alert borrower who became suspicious.

DFI encourages mortgage lenders to alert all their staff to loan modification scams and to promptly report them to their management and to the local district attorney or State Attorney General’s office, as appropriate.

Real Estate Loan Scam

We have learned that California Bear Credit Union members that have a First Mortgage loan with the credit union are receiving a deceptive letter. The letter appears to have been sent from California Bear Credit Union, in reality the letter is a solicitation for a loan modification from a law office based in Riverside using information they obtained from public records.

California Bear Credit Union does not work with nor endorse the law office of Zachary and Gonzalez in any way. If you have any questions about your mortgage loan please contact us at (800) 954-2327 and we will be happy to help you.

Click here to see a copy of the letter from Zachary and Gonzalez.

Click here to visit our regulatory updates page.