Telemarketing scheme using credit union name

VINELAND, N.J. – A fraudulent telemarketing scheme has been using a Florida credit union’s name to bilk homeowners out of their money, according to a story in The Daily Journal, a paper serving Vineland and surrounding communities. According to the story, homeowners have gotten calls from a telemarketer claiming to represent Community First Credit Union in Mulberry, Fla. During one conversation, one man agreed to refinance his mortgage at 6% interest. The salesman sounded young and got excited when he agreed to refinance, the paper reported. Several days later, the victim received what appeared to be a $95,000 cashier’s check from the credit union. It was not accompanied by any other paperwork. Per the victim’s request, the check was payable to a local bank that held his mortgage. The victim used the check to pay off the original mortgage he had obtained there. Officials at Minotola National Bank gave him $2,700 for an early payoff. They later determined the Florida credit union check was counterfeit. Fred Collins – manager of Community First Credit Union in Mulberry, Fla. – said the institution does not engage in telephone solicitation. It also operates primarily in Polk County, Fla., the paper reported.