Recognizing Scam Red Flags

Recognizing Scam Red Flags

You need to act fast. Acting in urgency is a warning sign of a scam. Scammers want you to act quickly and make payments without taking the time to think the situation through.

They’re using fear tactics. If someone threatens to arrest you, sue you, or subject you to any other consequences if you don’t pay them, it’s likely a scam. Fraudsters will try to create fear and urgency to get you to do what they want.

Unusual payment methods are requested. If you are asked to send a payment via a wire transfer, prepaid card, or cryptocurrency, do not do it. These methods are nearly untraceable, and once the money is sent, it’s usually gone for good.

Pre-payment is requested. If someone offers you a prize or debt relief, if you have to pay an upfront fee or shipping costs in order to get it, it’s most likely a scam.

They want your personal information. If you are contacted and asked to verify sensitive information over the phone, hang up. Never provide personally identifiable information like your birthday or Social Security number in response to an unsolicited call, email, or text message.

You need to keep it a secret. If you are asked to keep a transaction a secret, it’s likely because the scammer doesn’t want you to share the situation with someone who might detect it as a scam.

Disclaimer: Any reference made in this blog to a specific product, process, or service does not constitute or imply an endorsement by Connected Credit Union of the product, process, or service, or its producer or provider.