USAA customers are asked to delete and not follow the instructions in email messages that claim that they need validate their accounts' ownership to help ensure their safety and security. The email messages (see a sample below) are phishing scams that are being sent by cybercriminals to frighten their potential victims into clicking on a link within the same email messages, which go to phishing websites that steal USAA account credentials (usernames and passwords).
USAA cutomers who have already been tricked by the phishing email messages are asked to change their passwords and contact USAA immediately, before their money is stolen, online accounts hijacked and used fraudulently by cybercriminals.
A Sample of the USAA Phishing Email
Account Ownership Validation Reminder
USAA.Customer.Service@mailcenter.usaa.com
USAA SECURITY ZONE USAA # ending in: *****
Dear USAA Customer,
Your USAA online banking account ownership validation has expired. This may be as result of wrong or incomplete data entered during the last update.
We require that you validate your account ownership to help ensure your safety and security.
Sign-On To Validate
USAA values your business and is committed to keeping your accounts and personal information safe. To learn how we protect your information, visit our Security Center.
Thank you, USAA
USAA users should never click on a link to sign into their online accounts. They should always go directly to https://www.usaa.com/ and sign into their accounts from there. Once they have signed in, they will be notified of changes, verifications or updates that need to be done to their accounts.