Common Scams
Here is a list of some of the most common scams that get reported to authorities every day. Individuals fall for these ploys, which can compromise of their personal information, or worse yet, a loss of their funds:
Gift Card Scams - Scammers will typically send an email or text claiming they have over-refunded you from a recent purchase and instruct you to purchase gift cards to return the overage. For example, they meant to give you $300 but gave $3,000 instead, so the scammer instructs you to purchase gift cards worth $2,700.
Remote Access Scams - Scammers will request access to your computer or phone and will often ask you to download an app to do so. These scams may also involve a fraudulent email that provides a link, phone number, etc. that will allow the scammer remote access to your device. Never click on an unfamiliar link or call an unverifiable number.
Spoofing - Scammers may attempt to gain information or access to your accounts by calling, emailing, and/or texting posing as SCU to get your banking information. If you have any doubts regarding whom you are speaking with, please reach out to SCU directly at 800-868-8740.
IRS Scam - Scammers claim to be IRS employees, using fake names and bogus IRS identification badge numbers. They tend to know a lot about their targets, and they usually alter the caller ID to make it look like the IRS is calling. Victims are told they owe money to the IRS and it must be paid promptly through a gift card or wire transfer, and may also be threatened with arrest, deportation, or suspension of a business or driver’s license. Victims may be told they have a refund due to try to trick them into sharing private information. The IRS never calls individuals about taxes or funds owed.
Computer Compromised - Fake pop-ups, like the “ransomware detected” pop-up, tell users that there is a security threat or technical problem with their computer. They instruct users to call a telephone number to pay for technical support to resolve this threat. Payment is usually requested in the form of gift cards. The payment sent typically does not correct the computer problem, and/or it leads to someone else asking for access to your computer, where they then gain access to online banking and compromise your bank accounts.
Romance Scam – Scammers claim to be in the military or from a wealthy family reaching out via social media to meet someone to marry. They tend to build a relationship over a couple of years. Once they have a connection, they begin asking for or need assistance to move funds to pay for a sick child or help pay for the upcoming move. They typically promise to send funds but need assistance with setting up an account and paying for fees related to the transfer. A promise for a portion of the funds is also stated, but no funds are ever received.
Social Security Number Scam - Scammers claim to be Social Security Administration (SSA) employees calling people with warnings that their Social Security numbers have been linked to criminal activity and suspended. The scammers ask you to confirm your number so they can reactivate it or claim they can issue you a new one, for a fee. Payment requested is typically gift cards. The Social Security Administration will never call individuals to communicate information regarding their number or benefits.
Work from Home/Mystery Shopper Scam - Scammers contact you with an opportunity to earn hundreds of dollars a day doing nothing more than shopping online or working from home. However, to get started, you will need to pay, upfront, for your "training" materials. Payment for these materials is in the form a gift card. After payment, the materials never show up.
Be careful - always. We thank you for being a State Credit Union Member!
