At Finex Credit Union, your financial well-being is our top priority. Unfortunately, scammers are constantly finding new ways to trick people into sharing personal information or sending money. The good news? You can stay one step ahead by knowing the signs and taking a few simple precautions.
Here are some of the most common scams to watch out for—and how to protect yourself:
📱 Phone Spoofing
Scammers can manipulate caller ID to make it look like they’re calling from a trusted number—like your bank, a government agency, or a local business. Their goal? To get you to let your guard down.
Red Flags:
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A call from a familiar number, but the person seems suspicious.
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Requests for personal or financial information.
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Urgent threats like "your account will be closed" or "you’ll be arrested."
Protect Yourself:
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Never share personal information over the phone.
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Hang up and call back using a number you know is real—like the one on your bank’s website or your statement.
📧 Phishing Emails
These are fraudulent emails that look legit—but are designed to steal your info or infect your device.
Red Flags:
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Spelling mistakes or strange language.
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Suspicious links or unexpected attachments.
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Messages that create urgency or fear ("your account will be frozen").
Protect Yourself:
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Don’t click on links or download attachments from unknown sources.
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Use strong spam filters and keep your antivirus software updated.
🖥️ Fake Tech Support
You might get a popup or a call saying your computer is infected. The “support” person offers to fix it—often for a fee or by asking for remote access.
Red Flags:
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Unsolicited calls or popups warning of a virus.
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Requests to access your computer remotely.
Protect Yourself:
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Never give control of your device to someone you didn’t contact.
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Go directly to official tech support sites if you need help.
🎉 Lottery & Prize Scams
You’re told you’ve won money—but there’s a catch. You need to pay fees or taxes before you can collect your prize.
Red Flags:
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“You’ve won!” messages that ask for upfront payments.
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Requests for your personal or banking information.
Protect Yourself:
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Remember: real lotteries don’t ask for money to claim winnings.
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If it sounds too good to be true, it probably is.
❤️ Romance Scams
Scammers build fake online relationships, gain your trust, and then start asking for money.
Red Flags:
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They avoid meeting in person or making video calls.
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They share a dramatic story and ask for financial help.
Protect Yourself:
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Be cautious with people you meet online.
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Never send money to someone you haven’t met in real life.
Final Thoughts
Scammers rely on fear, urgency, and emotion to catch people off guard. When in doubt, pause and think before you share information or send money. And remember—Finex Credit Union will never call or email you asking for sensitive information like your debit card information or your online banking password.
If you think you’ve been targeted by a scam, report it immediately and lock your debit card.
Stay informed. Stay protected. And as always, we're with you—Wherever You Are.
