Resources to Help Guard Against Fraud

• Do not provide sensitive information, like a user login, PIN or one-time passcode that you use to access websites. 
• If someone contacts you claiming to be associated with any organization and is asking for information, hang up and call the number on their website to ensure you are speaking to a representative from that organization. Do not call a number the caller gives you to "verify" they are with the organization.
• If you receive a potentially suspicious phone call, text message or email, check for errors in the name, phone number or email address.
• Do not open suspicious links, texts, pop up windows or attachments in emails.
• If someone requests money in the form of gift cards, wire transfers or cryptocurrency, this is a scam.
• Stop and talk with someone you trust. If you're unsure, tell a friend or family member about what happened. They could help you realize if it is a scam.

Learn cybersecurity tips and tricks from our cybersecurity expert, Jim Stickley:  

Why is it important to check your credit report frequently?

• Credit reports are an overview of your payment and credit history that lenders use to provide credit or loans and can impact your interest rates.
• You can weed out fraudulent account activity, dispute collection items and make sure you are in good standing when being considered for auto loans, credit cards, mortgage loans and more.
• Remember the more you know, the more you grow, at least when it comes to your financial health and information. Report errors to the credit reporting agency where you find the discrepancy. Check your free credit report at annualcreditreport.com.
• For more information about protecting yourself, take a look at our card protection tips.

The Government Won’t Call or Text You
 
To protect yourself and avoid being scammed, follow and apply these simple yet effective tips.

• Government agencies such as the Social Security Administration (SSI) and the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) will not call, text or email you asking for money.
• Do not trust CALLER ID. Scammers are good at what they do, including altering caller ID so the number they call from resembles an authentic government number.
• Do not click on links in emails that you suspect may be fraudulent or are from an email address you don’t recognize. Remember that even if it looks as if it is coming from a legitimate source, confirm before clicking.
• Do not respond to the number the scammer gives you within a text or email. Look up the correct contact number online.
• Do not share your personal information with someone who reaches out to you first. If in doubt, always check the government website to verify the information for yourself.
• Make your passwords complex and lengthy, and consider using a passphrase.
• If you feel that you may have given out or compromised your password, change it right away and notify the relevant government agency. It is also a good idea to update your computer security software, run, scan and delete any errors/issues it finds.

If you see something that doesn’t seem right, most likely it is not. Keep your eyes open to scam techniques and share these tips with others. Help yourself, your loved ones and your community by reporting fraud to reportfraud.ftc.gov.

Social Media Investment Scams

Fraudsters are creating social media advertisements promoting investment opportunities with "guaranteed earnings" and are fooling victims into losing large amounts of money. A popular investment scam, the "Pump and Dump," occurs when scammers "pump" specific stock or cryptocurrency options to unknowing investors, and will sell the stock once the asset value is as high as possible, causing the stock to "dump" and leaving investors with lost funds. Another scam called the "Confidence Scam" involves a scammer creating a relationship with the victim by teaching them how to use a fictitious "investment platform" and then cuts contact after the victim invests money into the scam. Here's a few things to remember if you come across an advertisement on social media promoting investments:

• If you're unsure of the validity of the financial advisor or firm, do your research! Look up the name of the advisor or firm on FINRA BrokerCheck or contact a trusted financial advisor. 
• If a celebrity is featured in the advertisement, it's likely a scam. Scammers use Artificial Intelligence (AI) to make it seem like a celebrity is promoting an investment opportunity. 
• Don't move conversations to apps! Scammers like to use WhatsApp or Telegram - if you are asked to "move a conversation elsewhere," do not fall for it. 

Camera Blackmail Scams

Camera blackmail scams involve receiving emails alleging that a victim's computer activity is being monitored and recorded through the computer's webcam. The scammer threatens to release both the activity and video recordings to the victim's entire contact list unless they pay them (likely via cryptocurrency). To make the email seem authentic, swindlers will also include old passwords and photos of the victims' homes. Read below to be prepared if you receive an email similar to this:

• Don't communicate with the sender, no matter how realistic the threat is. Delete the email!
• If an old password is mentioned in an email, this was likely pulled from a past data breach and not your computer. If the password mentioned is one you still use, change it immediately.
• If an image of your house is included in an email, it's likely an image from Google Maps or something similar. No one is watching you.
• Fraudsters will seek payment immediately. Keep an eye out for messaging that pressures you into "acting now."

Retail Scams

Retail scams involve receiving emails, phone calls or text messages from big box retailers and popular e-commerce sites urgently requesting your membership or payment information be updated. They may also send a link via text or email with fake shipment delivery tracking information, or ask you to click a link to confirm a purchase. Social media marketplace scams will offer a "hot deal" for an item, but require the payment to be made in advance via a payment app. Remember these tips to help prevent you from retail scammers:

• Think twice before making a purchase over the phone.
• Verify sender information and do not click any links.
• Make sure the retail website is secure when ordering online.
• Be wary of "hot deals" on social media marketplaces.
• If purchasing an item off a social media marketplace, do not pay for the item up front.

Texting (Smishing) Scams

Text message scams are one of the easiest ways for people to get scammed, as we are so accustomed to believing all text messages are legitimate. There are many different examples of smishing messages, including: 

• Bank Fraud Messages: These types of messages appear as if they are from your actual bank or credit union. If you receive a text requesting personal information, contact your financial institution immediately using the contact number on their official website. 
• Free Gift or Winner Messages: Fradusters will claim they are from a company you know and will ask you to pay a "shipping fee" in order to receive your prize. Unfortunately, this is a way to have your credit card information stolen.
• Package Delivery Messages: Scammers will post as popular delivery services and will request additional home delivery information. This is a scam in order to collect personal information.
• Job Offer Messages: These types of messages vary from a company offering "easy money" in exchange for secretly shopping at a retail store to requesting an interview for a job position that you didn't apply for. A company will never inquire about a job offer or interview via text message.

Crypto Payment Scams

Scammers are trying to steal money with cryptocurrency. It usually involves the scammer, a QR code and a trip to the store. Someone might call you pretending to be from the government, law enforcement, a utility company or a romantic interest from online. They’ll ask for money and direct you to withdraw money from your bank, investment or retirement accounts. They’ll then tell you to go to a store with a cryptocurrency ATM, insert your money to buy the cryptocurrency, and send a QR code to you to use. This QR code has their address embedded in it and once that is scanned, the money is transferred to them and your money is gone. Remember these tips:

• No one from government, law enforcement or a utility company will tell you to pay them with cryptocurrency.
• Any unexpected call, text, email, call or social media message, especially from someone you don’t know, asking you to pay them in advance for something, is a scam.

Student Loans Scams

If you have a federal student loan, repayments have been paused and will begin again after May 1, 2022. Scammers know this too. They are calling, texting and emailing to cause confusion and steal your money and personal info.
If you are contacted about your federal student loan, remember these tips:

• Never pay an upfront fee. It’s illegal for companies to charge you before they help you. Plus, you never have to pay to get help from the Department of Education.
• Never give out your Federal Student Aid ID, your Social Security number or any other personal information. Instead of giving out your FSA ID, call or contact your servicer.
• Don’t sign up for quick loan forgiveness. Scammers might promise they can get rid of your loans, offer a loan forgiveness program or claim they can wipe out your student loans by disputing them. They can’t.

Scammers use fake seals and logos to lure people in. Don’t fall for it. If you have federal loans, go to the Department of Education directly at StudentAid.gov.

Tech Support Scams

Scammers pretend to be technical support for well known tech giants, or a representative from an internet service provider. They do this to gain access to your personal computer to install malware, or tell you to install bogus software to get your payment information. Generally, they try to gain access through pop ups on your computer.

Here's what to do:

1. Don't click. Don't click on any pop up links or enter personal information. You don't want to give a scammer access to your computer or financial information.
2. Report it. If you spot a scam, even if you fall victim to a scam, report it to the FTC. Call 1-877-FTC-HELP or online at ftc.gov/complaint.
3. Tell your friends and family. Help your loved ones protect themselves by sharing this information, it’s the best way for all of us to stay safe online.

For more information about this type of scam, visit consumer.ftc.gov/features/pass-it-on/imposter-scams/tech-support-scams.

Romance Scams

Online dating is increasingly popular among singles searching for love. But unfortunately, this popularity has also piqued the interest of scam artists. Scammers use fake profiles to strike up conversations with others on dating and social media web sites. They try to build trust with their targets and will eventually make up a story and ask for money. They will often say they are working outside of the United States and will ask for money, such as to purchase a return airplane ticket, to pay off debts, to pay for surgery or other medical expenses, etc.

View clips from our February 2022 webinar on Romance Scams presented by Paul Greenwood, former San Diego County Deputy District Attorney.

To view more clips and the full webinar, visit our YouTube page at youtube.com/sdccu.

How to Avoid Falling for a Romance Scammer
The most important thing to remember is: Never send money or gifts to a sweetheart you haven’t met in person.
If you suspect a romance scam:

• Stop communicating with the person.
• Talk with trusted family and friends about your situation. Pay attention when they are concerned with your new love interest.
• Search online about others who may have been scammed by people with similar stories.

If you think it’s a scam, report it to the FTC at reportfraud.ftc.gov. Share this information with friends and family to help protect them from scams like this. For more information about Romance Scams, visit www.consumer.ftc.gov/articles/what-you-need-know-about-romance-scams.

Money Mule Scams

A money mule scam is when someone sends money to you and asks you to send a portion of it to someone else. They often ask you to use gift cards or wire transfers. The money they are providing you is likely stolen, drug and human trafficking are also common sources of the money, and they’re lying about the reason they need you to send it. The relationship, job, prize or other reason they state is not real and they are trying to use you to launder money.
 
To protect yourself from these scams:

• Do not be a middle man. Do not let someone funnel money into your account in order for you to send it to others.
• Avoid jobs that ask you to transfer money. Don’t send money to a “client” or “supplier” on behalf of a company. It is never wise to use your own bank account for work related things.
• Never send money to collect a prize. If it sounds too good to be true, it probably is. No legitimate contest will ever ask you to send money for a prize. Also, if you did not enter to win the prize, be skeptical of anyone claiming to have a prize for you.
• Don’t send or accept money from an online love interest. Never send money to someone you have never met. It is a bad sign when they start asking you for money.
• Criminals are experts at making up reasons to get people to help them with their scams. Don’t do it. If you have any concerns, ask a financial professional. And remember to NEVER give out your account information to anyone.

If you think you might be involved in a money mule or money transfer scam, stop transferring money. Notify your financial institution, the wire transfer service and/or any gift card companies involved. Then, report it to the FTC at reportfraud.ftc.gov. Share this information with friends and family to help protect them from scams like this.

COVID Testing Scams

Scammers are trying to get your personal information through fake COVID testing scams. Some are offering phony home test kits and others are setting up phony testing sites complete with tents and hazmat suits. They may look real but you don’t get the test results and you’re charged for the test or they use your information for identity theft. Remember these tips:

• Do not give your Social Security number or passport number in order to get or schedule a COVID test.
• Find legitimate testing locations at covid19.ca.gov/get-tested.
• Look for FDA-authorized test kits. Now you can get four free COVID tests per household at COVIDtests.gov.

COVID-19 Vaccine Scam

The Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), Department of Health and Human Services Office of Inspector General (HHS-OIG) and Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) are warning the public about several emerging fraud schemes related to COVID-19 vaccines. Learn more.

To guard against these scams:

• Consult your state’s health department website for up-to-date information about authorized vaccine distribution channels and only obtaining a vaccine through such channels.
• Check the FDA’s website (fda.gov) for current information about vaccine emergency use authorizations.
• Consult your primary care physician before undergoing any vaccination.
• Don’t share your personal or health information with anyone other than known and trusted medical professionals.
• Check your medical bills and insurance explanation of benefits (EOBs) for any suspicious claims and promptly reporting any errors to your health insurance provider.
• Follow guidance and recommendations from the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and other trusted medical professionals.

 
COVID-19 Vaccine Survey Scam

Scammers are sending out surveys claiming to be from various vaccine manufacturers like AstraZeneca, Moderna and Pfizer. In exchange, people are offered a reward, but asked to pay shipping fees. IGNORE IT. It’s a scam. No legitimate surveys ask you for your financial information to pay for a “free” reward.

 
Federal Stimulus/Economic Impact Payment Related Scams

Beware that there is an increased risk of scammers attempting to exploit individuals expecting stimulus payments. Here are a few tips to spot potential red flags:

• The IRS will not contact you by phone, email, text or social media to verify your Social Security Number, bank account or credit card information.
• Scammers may suggest that you can get a faster payment by working on your behalf. This scam could be conducted by social media or even in person.
• Scammers may mail a bogus check, perhaps in an odd amount, then tell you to call a number or verify information online in order to cash it.

If you receive unsolicited emails, text messages or social media attempts to gather information that appear to be from either the IRS or an organization closely linked to the IRS. Notify the IRS at phishing@irs.gov.

 
Fake Unemployment Benefits Scams

Due to the pandemic, many people are facing economic hardship and job loss. Scammers are using websites that mimic government unemployment insurance (UI) benefits websites to trick people into divulging their personal information. The Department of Justice has reported that scammers lure people to their fake websites by sending spam text messages and emails that look like legitimate communication from a state workforce agency.

A state workforce agency will not contact you out of the blue via text message or email inviting you to apply for UI benefits. If you receive an unsolicited text or email message that looks like it’s from a state workforce agency:

• Never click links in an unexpected message claiming to be from a state workforce agency.
• If you have applied for UI benefits and get a text or email about your application, contact your state workforce agency directly using contact information from its official website.
• If you need to apply for UI benefits, visit edd.ca.gov/Unemployment/Filing-a-Claim.htm
• If you gave someone your information, visit identitytheft.gov/#/unemploymentinsurance to learn what you need to do next.

If you receive a suspicious text message or email, report it to the FTC at reportfraud.ftc.gov, share this information with friends and family to help protect them from scams like this.