Fraud Facts

Emails are a huge opportunity for fraudsters. A common theme is stating your order has been delayed due to some reason.

Example: Your Amazon Delivery is Delayed. Update Shipping Address Now!

  1. Beware of links. Do not click on any suspicious links or ones provided by an unverified source.
    •  A legitimate URL will be exact, character for character, as the legitimate company website. It is safer to type an address into a browser yourself than follow a link. 
    • Scroll over the link. Does the little box that appears above the link match? If not, the link is malicious. 
  2. If you are unsure of the validity of an email or website, do not give out any confidential, personal, or financial information.
  3. Verify the sender. Call the company to see if it is a legitimate message or go to a different internet window and type in the website address/URL. Log into your account and verify if you had an order and if there was an issue.

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Don’t fall for urgent payment demands! Real financial institutions and government agencies won’t pressure you to pay RIGHT NOW!

  1. If it is a legitimate request, the agency or institution would be happy if you wanted to verify them before sending any type of payment.
  2. The agency or institution would never ask for a gift card, cryptocurrency, or money gram to be purchased to pay them.

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This scam starts with a screen popping up on your computer, tablet, or phone telling you have a virus and to call the number on the screen. Sometimes once you call, they ask for you to download a program to scan for the viruses and protect you. However, this download is what puts a virus or malware on your device. The scammer then has access to your device and your personal or financial information.

  1. Unplug any physical cords for your internet connection.
  2. Turn the device off.
  3. Take your device to a trusted source for help.

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Fake mobile text messages are growing in numbers. These messages try to get people to download malware/viruses, share sensitive information, or send money to cybercriminals.

  1.  Be cautious: Treat text messages from unknown senders with skepticism. If a message seems suspicious or too good to be true, it’s likely a scam.
  2. Verify independently: If a text claims to be from a specific organization or individual, contact that entity directly using known contact information, not the details provided in the text.
  3. Don’t click on links: Avoid clicking on links in text messages, especially from unknown senders. Malicious links can lead to phishing websites or downloading malware onto your device.
  4. Report and block: If you receive a suspicious text message from someone within your organization, report it to the Helpdesk/IT and then block the sender’s number.
  5. Keep your device and apps updated to ensure the latest security patches to protect against known vulnerabilities.

Remember, it’s better to be safe than sorry. If you’re unsure about a text message, don’t respond or click on any links.

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Some fake loan websites ask for your online banking login to “deposit” funds — but it’s a scam. A legitimate loan company will never need your online banking username and password to send you money. 

  1. Never share your username or password.
  2. Always research any lender before giving personal or financial information.

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Social media plays a big part in social engineering, which allows bad actors to get information on victims without seeming malicious. Quizzes like “What’s your coffee name?” may seem harmless — but scammers use them to collect personal information.

Here’s a great example! The “What’s your COFFEE name?” image allows these bad actors to have your pet’s first initial. This may not seem like a lot, but they pull data from multiple sources.

If you ever post a photo of your pet with their name, they will know they’re your favorite pet. A favorite pet’s name is often part of a password or an answer to a security question.

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In the overpayment scam, the victim has a large dollar item, like a vehicle, for sale online. The scammer will send a cashier’s check for more than the agreed price. They will ask you to send back the overpayment via wire, money gram, or gift card.

When the cashier’s check comes back as counterfeit, the scammer has taken the overpayment and disappeared.

  1. Always accept payment for your items via cash, wire or a Real Time Payment, like VENMO or Cash App. These payments are irrevocable, meaning once you have those funds, they cannot take them back.
  2. If they pay via check, speak with your financial institution about when the funds will be available.

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It’s important to think before you share! Scammers may pretend to be from your financial institution or a government agency – the real ones will never ask for your password, PIN, or full Social Security Number.

If someone is calling and claiming to be from a financial institution and is requesting this information:

  1. Hang up!
  2. Call your trusted financial institution using a known number or go in person to confirm or deny someone attempted to contact you.

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Although this type of scam is commonly called a grandparent scam, it can happen to anyone. A call may come in that sounds like a grandchild or relative asking for money to help them out of trouble. This trouble may be jail, stranded with car trouble, or other urgent need.

The scammers play on your emotions by using technology to clone voices of your loved ones. Even though it may seem dire, remember that there is time to hang up and verify the actual situation.

  1. If they claim to be in jail, call the county courthouse to verify they have record of them. You can also call a close family member to see if they know where your loved one is.
  2. If they claim to be stranded or in another urgent situation, call your loved one back. You can also call a close family member to see if they have seen or spoken to your loved one.

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There are many quality charities that collect donations for natural disaster relief, veteran help, or various causes. However, scammers prey on your good nature by posing as a real charity or creating one that sounds similar.

Be wary of calls from a supposed charity. It can be difficult to know if it is real.

  1. Ask for details about the charity, including address and phone number.
  2. Confirm with a trusted third-party source to confirm the charity is real.
  3. Only send money if you have confirmed it is a real charity.

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Scammers can pretend to be from the FBI, IRS, police, or other government agencies and use fear to try to trick you into giving them financial and personal information. If they were from one of these agencies, they should already have the needed personal information they are trying to request from you.

Never give out personal or financial information to someone who called you instead of you calling them. If someone is calling and claiming to be from a government agency and is requesting this information:

  1. Hang up! If it’s a legitimate agency, they will send you a letter.
  2. Call the agency they claimed to be from, using a number from a trusted source.

Have you been a victim of this scam? View our ‘Resources’ menu on this page for help!