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From imposter scams to online shopping fraud, scammers have many tactics to steal your money or personal information. Learn how to recognize and protect yourself from some of the most common scams with these simple tips.
Imposter Scams - Imposters pretend to be someone you know, like a credit union employee. Imposters try to make you trust them to steal your personal information or ask you to buy a gift card or transfer money. Tip - Government agencies, including the NCUA and credit unions do not ask for money or your financial information. When unsure whether they are who they say they are, don’t send money or share your information. Instead, stop the communication and call the credit union to authenticate the request.
Online Shopping Scams - Online shoppers can be scammed in many ways such as receiving products despite the payment, losing money and payment information, and fake websites and apps. Tip - Read refund and return policies prior to making a purchase. If your order didn’t arrive or your refund request is denied, dispute the charges. Be sure to monitor your credit/debit card transactions to increase the chance of spotting unauthorized purchases or withdrawals in the early stage of this fraud.
Prizes, Sweepstakes & Lotteries - Scammers contact you claiming you won a prize, sweepstake, or lottery and then ask for money or your account information to cover taxes and other fees upfront. They might pretend to be from government agencies or claim you’ve won a foreign lottery, which is almost certainly a scam. Tip - Government agencies do not call to demand money or your financial information to collect a prize. Also, real sweepstakes are free and by chance.
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