Fraud Awareness & Prevention
Fraud can happen to anyone. Take steps to help make sure you’re prepared.
STEPS TO TAKE IF YOU’VE BEEN A VICTIM OF FRAUD:
Report the fraud and ask them to place a fraud alert on your credit report.
Equifax: 1.800.525.6285
Experian: 1.888.397.3742
TransUnion: 1.800.680.7289
Let your credit union, bank, and/or lenders know right away. They can freeze or close affected accounts.
This stops new credit accounts from being opened in your name.
Equifax: Visit Website
Experian: Visit Website
TransUnion: Visit Website
A police report helps document the crime and supports your claims with lenders and agencies.
Visit identitytheft.gov to report the incident and get a personalized recovery plan.
Full Social Security Number
Passwords, PINs, or Security Codes
Account Numbers
Online Banking Information
Urgent requests for info or payment.
Unsolicited calls or messages.
Spelling errors in emails or messages.
Requests for gift cards, wire transfers, or crypto.
“Too good to be true” offers.
Threatening messages.
“Don’t tell anyone” requests.
Use gel ink pens when writing checks.
Use strong passwords and multi-factor authentication.
Enable alerts for account activity.
Freeze your credit when you’re not applying for loans.
Be cautious of unsolicited calls and texts.
Common Types of Scams & Fraud
Skimming
Skimming is a type of fraud where scammers install a device on ATMs, gas pumps, or point-of-sale terminals to capture card data and PINs.
Consumer Product Fraud
Consumer Product Fraud is a type of fraud where fraudsters sell counterfeit goods or use fake sites to steal money from you. Often times they utilize a “too good to be true” tactic where they sell “high-end” products at extremely low prices.
Cryptocurrency Fraud
Cryptocurrency Fraud usually involve scammers creating fraudulent investment websites or applications that “guarantee” high returns. Usually their goal is to get you to deposit your funds on these platforms they created.
Holiday Scams
Holiday Scams take place around the holiday season and include counterfeit popular items sold for a lower price, charity scams where they pose as a charity to get donations, and package delivery scams where you get a text or email saying there was an issue delivering a package that doesn’t exist.
Check Fraud
While there are plenty types of Check Fraud like counterfeit checks and scammers sending checks in the mail for you to cash or deposit, check “washing,” or altering checks, is becoming more popular. This involves a fraudster intercepting a legitimate check and changing the payee name and/or the amount of the check. This is why using a gel-ink or permanent pen is recommended as it can make it harder for fraudster to alter the check.
Romance Scams
Romance Scams are when a scammer creates a fake profile or online identity and they use it to gain your affection and trust. It is not always a dating situation and can include just being friends. Often times, they have multiple excuses for why they can not video chat with you. After gaining your trust, they tend to tell you that they’re in a bad situation and need some help financially.
Spoofing and Phishing
Spoofing and Phishing is when a fraudster pretends to be someone that you know and trust, typically a store most people frequent or your financial institution. They usually send you a message of urgency, like a transaction was done on your account or your account needs to be verified, to get you to click on links and provide your personal information.
Elder Fraud
Elder Fraud is a general terms used for any fraud that is targeted to people who are over the age of 60. The most common forms of Elder Fraud are:
- Grandparent Scams: Where a scammer poses as a relative in urgent trouble (in jail, in the hospital, etc.) and they need money immediately.
- Romance Scams: Fraudster build a fake online profile to get close to you. Then request money for fake emergencies.
- Government Impersonation: Scammers pose as someone from the IRS or Social Security office threatening an arrest if money is not paid immediately.
Mail Fraud
Mail Fraud is any scheme to take your money or property away by using the U.S. Postal Service or other mail carriers like FedEx or UPS. Mail fraud can include things like lottery scams where you receive a letter claiming you won a prize but you have to pay taxes or fees, inheritance scams where you get a letter claiming a long-lost relative passed and left you money, and real estate scams where after purchasing a house they pose as your lender or insurance provider with an “urgent” message regarding an issue with your mortgage.
WIRE FRAUD
Wire Fraud is a type of fraud where scammers convince you to wire them funds. Often this is done by the scammer pretending to be someone they’re not, like a business, a real estate office, or a family member. The scammer will try to convince you that you need to send payment for an important or emergency purpose and will send you instructions on how to wire the funds. Once the funds are sent, you lose the money.