Financial Fraud & Scam Awareness

Common Financial Scams

• Phishing & Spear Phishing: Fake emails or texts pretending to be your bank.
• Bank Account & Check Scams: Fake checks, overpayment schemes, or fraudulent loan offers.
• Investment & Crypto Scams: Promises of unrealistic returns or fake advisors.
• Debt Relief Scams: Companies charging fees to “erase” debt or modify loans.
• Charity & Disaster Relief Scams: Fraudulent donation requests after crises.
• Tech Support & Account Security Scams: Calls claiming your account or computer is compromised.

How to Recognize Fraud & Scams

• Beware of urgent messages pressuring you to act quickly.
• Be cautious of requests for unusual payment methods (gift cards, wire transfers, crypto).
• Question offers that sound “too good to be true.”
• Don't give an unsolicited caller any personal or financial information.
• Check sender details — look for odd domains or misspellings.
• Ask you to move money to "safeguard" against fraudulent transactions.
• Banks will never ask for your PIN or password via email or text.

Phone Spoofing

• Caller ID Manipulation: Fraudsters make calls appear to come from trusted institutions.
• Imposter Scams: Criminals pose as bank staff, police, or government officials.
• AI Voice Cloning: Scammers mimic voices to impersonate family or employees.
• Urgency & Fear: They pressure you to act quickly before “losing money.”
• Trust Exploitation: Pretending to be authority figures to gain credibility.
• Emotional Manipulation: Romance or “grandparent” scams prey on compassion.

What To Do If You Suspect Fraud

• If you are unsure who is calling, hang up and contact your local credit union immediately using a known number to secure accounts.
• Notify local police and request an official report.
If you feel threatend or that you are in danger hang up and call 911.
• Report scams to the Federal Trade Commission (FTC).
• File a complaint with the FBI Internet Crime Complaint Center (IC3).
• Place a fraud alert with credit bureaus (Equifax, Experian, TransUnion).

Local Branch Contacts