FAIRVIEW HEIGHTS, Ill. — Two separate incidents involving credit unions in Illinois and Pennsylvania highlight the range of security threats financial institutions and their members continue to face, from social media stunts to impersonation fraud schemes.
In Illinois, police said a man entered a First Community Credit Union branch in Fairview Heights on Friday and appeared to stage a fake robbery as part of an attempt to create a viral social media video.
According to FirstAlert4.com, Fairview Heights police responded to the credit union at approximately 4:53 p.m. after receiving reports that a man had entered the building, raised a stick in the air and announced, “Attention everyone, this is a stick-up,” while recording on his cellphone.
Trespass Warning
Police determined the individual was attempting to film a prank for social media and was not carrying out an actual robbery. After completing their investigation, officers issued the man a trespass warning.
Police warned that such pranks can create serious safety concerns.
“Incidents of this nature place employees, customers, responding officers, and the individual involved at unnecessary risk,” the department said in a statement reported by FirstAlert4.com. The department added that actions causing others to believe a crime is occurring can trigger significant law enforcement responses and potentially lead to criminal or civil consequences.
Man Posed as CU Employee, Went to Member’s House
Meanwhile, in Pennsylvania, state police are seeking the public’s help in identifying a suspect accused of posing as a credit union employee in a scheme that resulted in the theft of a member’s debit card and thousands of dollars from the victim’s account.
According to Pennsylvania State Police, the suspect contacted a victim on May 8 while impersonating an employee of Patriot Credit Union in Waynesboro. Troopers said the suspect already possessed the victim’s bank account information when the call was made and persuaded the victim to surrender a debit card.
Police said the suspect then traveled to the victim’s home in Liberty Township, Adams County, and collected the card.
More Than $500 Withdrawn
Investigators allege the suspect later used the card at an ATM inside a Target store in Hanover, York County, where he withdrew $508. State police said the victim ultimately lost $2,224 as a result of the fraud.
The suspect was described as driving a black BMW displaying an unidentified Virginia license plate.
Authorities continue to investigate both incidents and urged consumers to remain vigilant against scams and to think carefully before participating in social media challenges that could be mistaken for criminal activity.
