A scam KKTV 11 News told you about at the beginning of this month is becoming more widespread among Pikes Peak area credit unions.

11 News first told you about a Call For Action Alert about the Airforce Academy Credit Union at the beginning March. That scam involved crooks who were targeting credit union members, posing as a representative, and trying to convince customers that they had an account problem.

The purpose: to get whatever personal information they can, such as account numbers, Social Security numbers, and passwords, to gain access to consumers’ money.

Thursday, the Pikes Peak Chapter of Credit Unions sent out a warning that the same scheme is being re-worked, on a more widespread level.

The scam is called called phishing, which is when a crook will send out legitimate-looking text messages and emails claiming to be from the credit union or bank. The scammers can also use a phone, and pose as a bank representative.

The messages often include official looking logos and other identifying information copied directly from credit union websites.

Unlike the Airforce Academy Credit Union scam, this latest re-worked scheme is targeting both credit union members and non-members.

According to the Pikes Peak Chapter of Credit Unions, the identity thieves did not breach credit union security systems to access email addresses and phone numbers. Instead, credit union spokespeople say, they are making blanket phone calls, and sending emails and text messages, with the hope someone takes the bait.

Remember, banks and credit unions will never call and ask for personal information unless you originate the call. If you get a suspicious message call your bank or credit union first.