Your financial security is always our top priority. Throughout Financial Literacy Month, we are promoting financial wellness helping you stay informed about common scams and fraudulent activities that could put you at risk.
Fraudsters are constantly developing new ways to trick people into giving up personal and financial information. Here are some of the most common scams:
- Phishing Scams
Scammers send fake emails, text messages, or phone calls pretending to be from trusted institutions, like your credit union, asking for sensitive information. Tip: Never click on suspicious links or provide personal information through email or text.
- Imposter Scams
Someone pretends to be a government official, law enforcement officer, or even a family member in distress, asking for money or gift cards. Tip: Always verify the identity of the caller, if you think the call is suspicious hang up and call us immediately.
- Lottery & Prize Scams
You receive a message claiming you’ve won a lottery or sweepstakes – but you must pay fees or taxes upfront. Tip: Scammers frequently use high-pressure tactics to create a sense of urgency, urging you to act quickly by claiming phrases like, “This is a limited-time offer; you need to claim it now!” Such pressure can cloud your judgment and lead you to make hasty decisions.
Here is how to protect yourself
1.Monitor Your Accounts Regularly: Use our online or mobile banking to check your transactions and report suspicious transactions immediately.
- Use PFCU’s “Cards” to enable spending limits on debit and credit cards, get alerts in real time and track spending habits
- Use Strong Passwords: Create unique passwords for online banking and other financial accounts.
- Enable Multi-Factor Authentication: Adds an extra layer of security to your online accounts.
What to Do If You Suspect Fraud?
If you think you’ve been targeted by a scam, contact us immediately to report suspicious activity on your accounts.
You can monitor your credit score using our online banking and report for unauthorized activity a www.annualcreditreport.com
