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Scammers spend all their time creating clever new scams and inventing new ways to execute old scams. Protect yourself and your family by learning how to spot the signs of a scam whether you’re contacted by phone, mail, email, text, or in-person. |
What to look for…
FAKE INVOICES OR NOTICES THAT LOOK REAL
Spot: Fake Invoices that appear to be from a real business, phony debt collection notices, and spam emails aimed at unsuspecting consumers hoping they will pay up before checking their records.
Know: Never send money or provide personal information to unknown people or companies. If you are receiving an invoice or collection notice for something you didn’t purchase – contact the company using a separate source for contact information. NEVER click on the email.
UPFRONT MONEY REQUESTS
Spot: Required to send money up front to receive a prize, lottery winnings or gift card.
Know: Legitimate companies never require someone to pay money up front in order to receive a prize.
WIRE MONEY NOW
Spot: You are instructed to urgently send money by wire transfer, cash app, or reloadable gift card.
Know: Never send money to someone you do not know and cannot verify. Sending money in these forms is the same as sending cash – it is nearly untraceable, and once the money is sent, it is generally gone for good.
PROVIDE PERSONAL OR FINANCIAL INFORMATION
Spot: Banks, government agencies, and legitimate companies will NEVER ask for this type of information by unsolicited phone, email, or text message. Scam artists impersonate these types of entities and use false messages to get personal and financial information.
Know: Never provide your private information in response to an unsolicited call, email, or text message. Verify the entity by calling the number listed on the company’s website or bill.
A SENSE OF URGENCY – ASKED TO ACT QUICKLY
Spot: Scam artists may say that there is a limited time to act in order to get people to pay money before they have time to think the situation through. These scammers can appear to be hospitals, bail bondsmen, the IRS or family members.
Know: There isn’t anything that can’t wait long enough for you to verify the legitimacy. If you feel rushed, hang up and call the business, person, or agency directly with a verified number. Not a number in an email or text message.
CASHIER CHECKS AND MONEY ORDERS
Spot: Scam artists can create counterfeit checks and money orders that look remarkably authentic. After your financial institution cashes a check or money order, it generally has up to two weeks to reverse the transaction. If the check or money order ultimately ends up being counterfeit, your financial institution will probably hold you responsible for any portion of the funds that were used or sent back to the scam artist.
Know: Never try to cash a check from someone that you do not know or that you can’t verify. If it is too good to be true, it usually is. There are legitimate contests that your financial institution or a known business may run, but you can verify by visiting your local branch or contacting the business using a number from a source other than the contact provided with the check or money order.
IT SOUNDS TOO GOOD TO BE TRUE
Spot: If something sounds to good to be true, it usually is. Trust your gut, and if you notice any of these signs of fraud during the transaction, it’s a strong indication that you’re being targeted by a scam.
Know: Don’t be afraid to say “no.” If something doesn’t seem right, tell the person you’re not interested. Don’t be afraid to hang up the phone, or to not respond to future calls, text messages or emails from the person.
ADDITIONAL TIPS
Ask a friend, family member, or neighbor for their opinion. Asking a trusted person or agency about the situation may help you spot the scam and save you from being victimized.
Don’t be rushed. If you are pressured to act quickly, take time to think things through.
When in doubt, don’t give it out. If you question who is contacting you, don’t give them any private information. When a scammer is impersonating your credit union, bank or another legitimate business, your best bet is to end the call and reach out to the company directly using their verified contact information.
Research the offer. A simple internet search can sometimes yield a lot of information, including consumer reviews, complaints, and other postings.
ECU Credit Union will never ask for your complete account number, PIN, CVV code, or full social security number in a text or email. If you receive a message asking for that kind of information, do not engage! Do NOT click any links. Scammers are clever. They are experts at tricking people.
There is one simple thing we can all do to prevent us from becoming a victim of fraud.
When you get an unexpected text that claims to be from ECU Credit Union, any financial institution or business and it includes a link, do NOT click it.
Contact the financial institution or business directly. Go to the company’s website and find their verified contact information, not a number listed in the text message. You can log on to your ECU Credit Union online banking and review your account activity anytime.
Test your Scam knowledge by matching the letter to the Fraud Definition. Then scroll down to view the answers and see how you did.
Match the letter of the Scam to the Fraud Definition
| A | Account Takeover | The act of someone impersonating a trusted company or person in order to access sensitive information. | |
| B | Malware | Unwanted messages sent to many individuals via text or email. | |
| C | Spoofing – Imposter Scam | A type of fraud where scammers leave voice messages pretending to be bank reps or other reputable companies in order to gain personal information from their targets. | |
| D | Spam | A type of fraud where scammers send text messages pretending to be bank reps or other reputable companies in order to gain personal information from their targets. | |
| E | Vishing | When scammers take over bank, credit card or government benefit accounts with stolen information; one of the most common types of identity theft. | |
| F | Smishing | A type of fraud where scammers send emails pretending to be bank reps or other reputable companies in order to gain personal information from their targets. | |
| G | Phishing | Software created to damage, disrupt, or gain unauthorized access into someone else’s computer system. |
Answers to Match the Scam
| A | Account Takeover | C | The act of someone impersonating a trusted company or person in order to access sensitive information. |
| B | Malware | D | Unwanted messages sent to many individuals via text or email. |
| C | Spoofing – Imposter Scam | E | A type of fraud where scammers leave voice messages pretending to be bank reps or other reputable companies in order to gain personal information from their targets. |
| D | Spam | F | A type of fraud where scammers send text messages pretending to be bank reps or other reputable companies in order to gain personal information from their targets. |
| E | Vishing | A | When scammers take over bank, credit card or government benefit accounts with stolen information; one of the most common types of identity theft. |
| F | Smishing | G | A type of fraud where scammers send emails pretending to be bank reps or other reputable companies in order to gain personal information from their targets. |
| G | Phishing | B | Software created to damage, disrupt, or gain unauthorized access into someone else’s computer system. |
