Securitydrivencomputer shutdown leaves Waterford credit union customers without online access
Jul. 17—"We detected some unusual activity on the website on Wednesday," he said. "The IT team and cyber security experts acted immediately to protect member data and assets. In the process of throttling up online security, Charter Oak's domain was temporarily locked which has resulted in downtime for the main website and online banking."
Charter Oak has approximately 80,000 members and about half of them do online banking, Orenstein said. Shortly after the website and online banking platform were shut down, he said fake websites purporting to be the legitimate Charter Oak web page began cropping up.
Orenstein said members can still do their banking over the phone or at any one of the credit union's 15 branches across New London and Windham counties.
"There has been no money or member data lost," Orenstein said. "Because the system is down, the fraudsters can't get to the website. We are encouraging members who may have provided any login or password information to contact us so we can create new logins and passwords for them, because once the website is restored, customers will be at risk of having their online accounts accessed by these individuals."
He said the FBI and the National Credit Union Administration, which provides insurance for credit union members across the United States, have been contacted about the incident.
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In an email communication to credit union members, Orenstein emphasized Charter Oak's commitment to securing members personal information, saying that it "is of the utmost importance to us."
"Please be sure not to enter your online banking credentials into any other website than charteroak.org," Orenstein's message said in part. "There are other sites with similar names (not exact) that are looking to capture your credentials. Please do not enter your username or password to any websites that may look like Charter Oak."
Bruce Adams, president of the Meriden-based Credit Union League of Connecticut, said Charter Oak has about $1.5 billion in assets, which makes it the state's third largest credit union. Adams said Charter Oak "is a pretty advanced, sophisticated credit union that did a pretty good job protecting its customers" in response to this incident.
"Whether that threat impacts an insurance company, a big box retailer, a bank, or a credit union, our state and federal government needs to protect our business community better," he said.
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Charter Oak will refund members who have experienced fees or charges caused by the disruption in online service. Orenstein said members are encouraged to call 860-446-8085.
Charter Oak was founded in 1939 in order serve workers at Electric Boat, he said. It was known at the time as the Groton Shipbuilders Credit Union and became a community-based credit union in the 1980s.
