Citadel Credit Union Reveals Secrets to Shielding Yourself from Impersonator Scams

Impostor scams appear in various guises. These scams Fraudsters attempt to deceive their targets into believing they come from a trusted source in order to obtain financial gain. Below are the three most prevalent kinds of impostors: scams to look out for:

Government Scams

A government impersonation scam frequently begins with a call, email, or text from an individual claiming to represent a governmental organization. Social Security Administration , the IRS , or Medicare For instance, they might share details such as your residential address or furnish an "employee ID number" to appear legitimate. They will concoct a rationale for why you must promptly transfer funds or divulge personal data, yet this is all part of the scam. scam .

Quick tip: Government organizations will never contact you via phone, email, or text to request funds or private data. Do not reply to such communications.

Tech Support Scams

Technical support fraudsters frequently contact individuals pretending to be certified technicians from well-known firms who have detected issues with your system. These scammers could request permission to remotely control your PC before simulating diagnostic procedures. In another tactic, they create deceptive alert notifications on-screen which mimic genuine warnings using recognizable brand imagery. This fake warning suggests a threat exists and advises calling their provided hotline for help. Once connected, these impostors attempt to extract payment under false pretenses of resolving fabricated glitches.

A frequent tech support scam that numerous people have succumbed to in recent times involves Phantom Hacker Impersonation Scam This complex fraud begins when an individual pretends to be technical support staff from a financial institution like a bank or credit union, reaching out to their target. They might assert that there’s an attempt to take your money and advise you to transfer your funds into another account for safety purposes. However, in truth, they're giving you their own account details so they can siphon off your cash.

Quick tip: Avoid giving anyone remote access to your computer if they contact you unsolicited. Should you suspect the technical problem might indeed be genuine, terminate the call and reach out to your computer’s official support hotline instead. Keep in mind that financial institutions like banks and credit unions typically won’t initiate calls asking you to transfer funds into so-called "secure" accounts from unknown sources. In case you spot potentially unauthorized transactions on your statement, get in touch with your bank or credit union using an established phone number or head over to their nearby office location for assistance.

Brand Impersonation Scams

Impersonation scams targeting brands attempt to replicate a company you conduct transactions with for illicit ends. These can involve utility providers, well-known retailers, courier firms, or entities such as Citadel. In these elaborate cons, fraudsters might dispatch emails or SMS messages that mirror typical correspondence from the company. They could also steer you toward websites designed to resemble the authentic brand site before attempting to extract your private data.

Quick tip: Check for grammatical and spelling errors. Scammers frequently make mistakes when pretending to be someone else. Examine email addresses, phone numbers, and content for anything that seems amiss. If it isn't from a company you're familiar with or doesn't match their usual communication style, it's wise to delete the message and reach out to the company directly if you suspect fraudulent activity.

Additional Advice to Prevent Falling Prey to Scams

Steer clear of transferring funds to individuals you aren't familiar with. Should you have doubts regarding the validity of a request, make certain to confirm it by reaching out to the individual or entity directly using contact information you consider reliable.
Be vigilant about unusual payment methods. Should an organization suddenly ask you to make payments through wire transfers, gift cards, or cryptocurrencies, it might likely be indicative of fraudulent activity.
Avoid clicking on links in unexpected emails. Pay extra attention to links and files you can download.
Confirm details carefully. Stay cautious of unforeseen calls, emails, or texts requesting confidential data. Listen to your intuition. Should anything feel off, disconnect or delete the communication and conduct additional checks by reaching out to the business or institution straightforwardly.

Discover more tips for safeguarding your accounts at Citadel Credit Union .