CUSO Preps XCalibur Testing for October Using Biometric ID

Employees and board members at three credit unions will be among the first to test the XCalibur card, a biometric card that can function as a single debit, gift and loyalty card.

The XCalibur card was created by CUSO XCard Systems LLC with assistance from IBM Global Engineering Solutions. One of the features that sets it apart from typical debit and credit cards is a biometric touch sensor that authenticates the user before activation. The card can then only be activated by the user or an authorized user, according to XCard. Certain key functions allow the user to pick which account they want to use for a particular transaction, according to the CUSO.

In October, 50 cards will tested, said Vic Pantea, president/CEO of Member Gateways LLC, a product development CUSO that has been involved in the card’s pilot. A simultaneous testing for Visa and MasterCard standards will also take place. From these tests, any final revisions will be made and the card device will enter final production.

CU*Answers is providing card processing and core system testing and Beyond Marketing LLC will market the card. Kent Displays Inc. created the screen display and Seidenfaden Design came up with the prototype sleeve. Prevas Engineering has also played a role in the overall development.
Employees and board members at three credit unions will be among the first to test the XCalibur card, a biometric card that can function as a single debit, gift and loyalty card.

The XCalibur card was created by CUSO XCard Systems LLC with assistance from IBM Global Engineering Solutions. One of the features that sets it apart from typical debit and credit cards is a biometric touch sensor that authenticates the user before activation. The card can then only be activated by the user or an authorized user, according to XCard. Certain key functions allow the user to pick which account they want to use for a particular transaction, according to the CUSO.

In October, 50 cards will tested, said Vic Pantea, president/CEO of Member Gateways LLC, a product development CUSO that has been involved in the card’s pilot. A simultaneous testing for Visa and MasterCard standards will also take place. From these tests, any final revisions will be made and the card device will enter final production.

CU*Answers is providing card processing and core system testing and Beyond Marketing LLC will market the card. Kent Displays Inc. created the screen display and Seidenfaden Design came up with the prototype sleeve. Prevas Engineering has also played a role in the overall development.

You Said What? 43 Things Actually Said in Job Interviews

"I'm not wanted in this state." "How many young women work here?" "I didn't steal it; I just borrowed it." "You touch somebody and they call it sexual harassment!" "I've never heard such a stupid question."

Believe it or not, the above statements weren't overheard in bars or random conversations -- they were said in job interviews.

Maybe you were nervous, you thought the employer would appreciate your honesty, or maybe you just have no boundaries. Whatever the reason, you can be certain that you shouldn't tell an interviewer that it's probably best if he doesn't do a background check on you. (And yes, the hiring manager remembered you said that.)

We asked hiring managers to share the craziest things they've heard from applicants in an interview. Some are laugh-out-loud hysterical, others are jaw-dropping -- the majority are both. They will relieve anyone who has ever said something unfortunate at a job interview -- and simply amuse the rest of you.

Hiring managers shared these 43 memorable interview responses:

Why did you leave your last job?"I have a problem with authority." - Carrie Rocha, chief operating officer, HousingLink

Tell us about a problem you had with a co-worker and how you resolved it"The resolution was we were both fired." - Jason Shindler, CEO, Curvine Web Solutions

What kind of computer software have you used?"Computers? Are those the black boxes that sit on the floor next to the desks? My boss has one of those. He uses it. I don't have one. He just gives me my schedule and I follow it." - Greg Szymanski, director of human resources, Geonerco Management Inc.

What are your hobbies and interests?"[He said] 'Well, as you can see, I'm a young, virile man and I'm single -- if you ladies know what I'm saying.' Then he looked at one of the fair-haired board members and said, 'I particularly like blondes.'" - Petri R.J. Darby, president, darbyDarnit Public Relations

Why should we hire you?"I would be a great asset to the events team because I party all the time." - Bill McGowan, founder, Clarity Media Group

Do you have any questions?"Cross-dressing isn't a problem is it?" - Barry Maher, Barry Maher & Associates

"If you were a fruit, what fruit would you be?" - Megan Garnett, Articulate Leadership Team, Articulate Communications Inc.

"What do you want me to do if I cannot walk to work if it's raining? Can you pick me up?" - Christine Pechstein, career coach

"I was a chamber of commerce executive once hiring a secretary. [The candidate asked] 'What does a chamber of commerce do?'" - Mary Kurek, Mary Kurek Inc. Visibility Consulting

Hey, there's a lot more of these at: http://tinyurl.com/lmhfdt or
http://bit.ly/1h7uhM

CU robber goes to confession, returns money

A man who robbed a branch of Patelco CU turned at least part of the money he stole over to a catholic priest after taking part in confession at a church last week.

Police do not know the name of the man who went to a Walnut Creek, Calif., church Sunday night and told the priest during confession that he had robbed the Walnut Creek branch of Patelco CU Thursday afternoon. He left the church after giving the priest $1,200 he said he had robbed from the credit union (Contra Costa Times July 28).

After the man left, the priest called the police.

"I don't know if that was the entire amount or a percentage of the amount," Shelly James, Walnut Creek police lieutenant, told the newspaper. "He said he felt remorse."

After handing the Patelco teller a note Thursday, the man claimed he had a gun. Police will arrest the robber when he is found.

Fraudulent checks circulating with CU's name

Fraudulent checks bearing the Meadville (Pa.) Area FCU name and a distorted logo are being mailed to various individuals nationwide.

The check is made payable to the individual in the amount of $2,950.00 with a date of July 9. The item is printed on burgundy check stock and at first glance may appear valid. However, a closer look reveals that MidAtlantic is misspelled and other items are placed in the wrong locations on the face of the check.

The checks are accompanied by a letter from Greenwater Mystery Shopping. The recipient is asked to complete certain tasks within 48 hours. A request to call its office is listed first. Then, the recipient is asked to go to a local Sears or Wal-Mart and send a money gram to someone in Canada.

Meadville Area FCU is gathering evidence to assist the U.S. Postal Investigators in their pursuit of the perpetrators. Anyone with relevant information should contact the credit union.

Delta Begins In-Flight Wi-Fi Rollout (and It's Free Until Next Year)

Delta said it was coming before 2009, and it's looking like it's actually managed to pull it off. The struggling airline is indicating that most of its most commonly used shuttle craft between New York, Boston, and Washington D.C. are currently being upgraded to offer in-flight Wi-Fi -- and it'll even be free until the end of the year.

The service, provided by Aircell, will be $9.95 on flights less than three hours and $12.95 for anything longer. These short flights will all fit into the former category, just the beginning of the system-wide roll-out that Delta wants to put in place next year.

However, that expansion will be dealt an early blow next year as Delta replaces many of those shuttle flights with contract carriers that don't offer such fancy features. In other words, we're still not quite to the point where mid-air surfing is standard fare, but we're getting close.

More Advertisers Turning to Internet, Relying Less On Printing

The majority (92%) of advertisers are using Internet advertising in their media campaigns followed by print advertising at 88 percent, according to a new LinkedIn Research Network/Harris Poll.

At the same time, less than half are using radio advertising (46%), television advertising (46%) and mobile advertising (39%). The Harris poll found there is a regional difference as advertisers in the South are more likely to use radio advertising (57%) and television advertising (56%) while those in the West are least likely to use both (39% each).

Among those advertisers who are using each of these types of media, there is a difference in the level of usage since last year. Three-quarters of those who use Internet advertising (74%) say they are incorporating it more often while 69 percent of those who use mobile advertising are using it more often compared to a year ago.

Unsurprisingly, the largest drop is with print advertising as half (49%) of those who use it are using it less often compared to a year ago while 41 percent are using it the same amount.

Of those who use Internet advertising just 14 percent say they use it in a standalone campaign, while 54 percent say the use it in an integrated campaign with other media and 33 percent use Internet advertising in both types of campaigns equally.

The potential of biometrics to solve a multitude of problems has never been greater

Biometric solutions have secured borders, facilities, and inventory; they have increased operational safety and efficiency and have enhanced customer satisfaction. Importantly, biometrics has done so in many cases without adding complexity for the end user.

Successful biometrics applications have generated a great deal of well-deserved attention – and yet, many biometrics applications continue to disappoint. All too frequently, biometric applications perform poorly in the real world application environment.

Additionally, many biometric solutions have been ineffective, difficult to deploy, and simply too expensive to operate.

Read "Planning for success" at: http://www.global-identification.com/index.php?id=1290

India to issue all 1.2 billion citizens with biometric ID cards

The Indian government has announced that it is to issue all of its 1.2 billion citizens with biometric identity cards.

The Government has said that the first cards will be issued within 18 months. The operation will be run by the Unique Identification Authority, a new government department created specifically for the task of assigning every living Indian an exclusive number and gathering and electronically storing their personal details.

It is hoped that the operation, which is expected to cost at least £3 billion, will fight corruption but it could also be used to identify illegal immigrants and tackle terrorism.

Is biometric identification coming to the U.S.? It already has. Have you applied for a passport lately? Hundreds of credit unions are using biometric identification. Learn more about biometric ID at the CU InfoTECH Conference set for November 9-11, 2009 in Palm Springs, CA.

Click here for a conference brochure:
http://cuconferences.com/tech09/09%20InfoTech%20FINAL.pdf

Fiserv Survey Cites Online Banking, Bill Pay Growth

About 80% of American households that have Internet access now use it for online banking, while nearly as many use bill pay.

That’s according to Fiserv Inc.’s ninth-annual consumer billing and payment trends survey, conducted by The Marketing Workshop and Harris Interactive.

The survey’s results were released this week and reflect the habits of the 88.2 million American households that have Internet access, the Brookfield, Wis., company said.

It found that 69.7 million households now use online banking–primarily for balances, histories and transfers–and that 64.4 million pay at least one bill online through their financial institution’s Web site or that of a biller. That’s more than 2 million more households than reported the same last year, Fiserv said.

A video detailing findings from the survey is at www.fiserv.com/trends.htm.

CUs Filing More Reports of Suspicious Activities

Credit unions filed 9% more Suspicious Activity Reports last year, according to data released by the Treasury Department.

Last year there were 57,179 such reports, compared with 52,432 in 2007. At all depository institutions, there were 732,563 reports last year, compared with 649,176 in 2007.

Since 1996, when the information began being gathered in its present form, there have been 227,865 suspicious activity reports filed by credit unions, 48% were filed in 2007 and 2008.The data is compiled by the Financial Crimes Enforcement Network, a division of the Treasury Department.

Credit unions filed 9% more Suspicious Activity Reports last year, according to data released by the Treasury Department.Last year there were 57,179 such reports, compared with 52,432 in 2007. At all depository institutions, there were 732,563 reports last year, compared with 649,176 in 2007.Since 1996, when the information began being gathered in its present form, there have been 227,865 suspicious activity reports filed by credit unions, 48% were filed in 2007 and 2008.

The data is compiled by the Financial Crimes Enforcement Network, a division of the Treasury Department.

Report: Text message scams increasing

Internet criminals are increasingly operating like successful businesses, borrowing the best strategies from legitimate companies and collaborating in partnerships with each other to make a profit off their illegal activities, says a new security report.

Cisco's 2009 Midyear Security Report covers a range of threats, including a significant increase in text message scams--the "new frontier for fraud irresistible to criminals," who hope that consumers savvy enough not to fall for e-mail phishing scams may still be gullible through their mobile phone.

The research notes that recently smaller financial institutions have been the focus of many text message scams "likely because customers tend to have higher levels of trust and familiarity with local banks." It cites three examples--all from credit unions (First Community CU, Jamestown, N.D.; Buffalo Metropolitan FCU, Buffalo, N.Y., and BCT FCU, Binghamton, N.Y.).

Among the threats the report cites:

Botnets--Networks of compromised computers used to launch an attack, botnets are being increasingly rented out as a service by their owners to fellow criminals to deliver spam and malicious software.

Spam--A major vehicle for spreading worms and malware and clogging Internet traffic, spam encompasses everything from legitimate sales pitches to malicious websites. More than 180 billion spam messages are sent each day-- about 90% of the world's e-mail traffic.

Worms--Credit unions interested in using social networking need to be aware that the rise of social networking has made it easier to launch worm attacks. People who social network are more likely to click links and download content they believe were sent by people they know.

Spamdexing--Packing a website with keywords or search terms so search engines will display the site more prominently, spamdexing also can send malware disguised as legitimate software. Consumers who trust the rankings on major search engines may download a fake package.

Text message scams--Since the beginning of the year at least two or three new campaigns have surfaced every week on handheld mobile devices such as cell phones. More than 4.1 billion mobile phone subscriptions worldwide mean a criminal can cast a wide net and walk away with a hefty profit, even if the attack yields only a small fraction of victims.

Insiders--With the global recession causing loss of jobs, insider threats are an increasing concern for businesses. Insiders who commit fraud can be contractors or other third parties as well as current or former employees.

The reported noted three trends to watch:

1. Spam will return to record high levels;
2. Legitimate websites will see more attacks; and
3. Social networking attacks will continue;

Quebec Police Warn Against Attractive People at ATMs

Police in the Canadian province of Quebec are warning Canadians and U.S. residents to be cautious about attractive people standing close to them at ATMs.

According to the police, fraudsters on both sides of the border are working in teams of two, one of whom is usually a very attractive person, to steal card data from unsuspecting ATM users. In the scam, the attractive partner in the criminal team distracts cardholders as they enter their personal identification numbers so they won't notice them being copied.

A device is also often attached to the ATM to collect the card number and other data when users swipe their ATM cards.Police urged ATM users on both sides of the Canada/US border to exercise caution about using an ATM while other people are close by.

Police in the Canadian province of Quebec are warning Canadians and U.S. residents to be cautious about attractive people standing close to them at ATMs.

According to the police, fraudsters on both sides of the border are working in teams of two, one of whom is usually a very attractive person, to steal card data from unsuspecting ATM users. In the scam, the attractive partner in the criminal team distracts cardholders as they enter their personal identification numbers so they won't notice them being copied.

A device is also often attached to the ATM to collect the card number and other data when users swipe their ATM cards.Police urged ATM users on both sides of the Canada/US border to exercise caution about using an ATM while other people are close by.

What To Do When the PC Quits Working

Pointless Credit Union Staff Photo

Hacker pleads guilty to stealing 2M card numbers

A hacker pleaded guilty in Pittsburgh to charges of hacking into computer systems belonging to other hackers and financial institutions--including a credit union. The hacker, Max Ray Vision, stole two million credit card numbers and ran up charges of more than $86 million.

The breach affected Visa, MasterCard, American Express and Discover cardholders, according to the Pittsburgh Tribune-Review (June 29). Vision also hacked Pentagon FCU, Alexandria, Va.

Thousands of financial institutions suffered losses due to the breach, Luke Dembosky, assistant U.S. attorney, told the newspaper.

Vision pleaded guilty to two counts of wire fraud. He faces up to 60 years in prison and will be sentenced Oct. 20, the newspaper said.

Vision and a partner, Christopher Aragon, created CardersMarket.com to sell and use stolen credit card information, the newspaper said. The website had 4,500 members worldwide at its peak. Aragon and Vision participated in hacking activities from 2005 until their arrests in 2007.