Be aware of scams in your area, or scams that are being implemented on a national level.

Text / Email / Phone Scam: Be vigilant about text messages or emails you receive. Many criminals pretend to be your financial institution and trick you into gaining access to your accounts.

• We will never ask you to send us your usernames or passwords via email or text
• We will never ask for your full social security number
• Verify that it’s us by calling our main number: 800-245-6199

Computer Scam: A call or message says your computer is infected.

• Don’t call a phone number or click a link.
• Don’t give control of your computer.
• Don’t send money.

Gift Card Scam: Someone asks you to pay for something by putting money on a gift card, like a Google Play or iTunes card, and then giving them the numbers on the back of the card. No real business or government agency will ever insist you pay them with a gift card. If you’re asked to do this, it’s a scam.

• If you paid a scammer with a gift card, tell the company that issued the card right away. Keep the card and any receipts you have.
• Remember that gift cards are for gifts, not for payments.

Romance Scam: A criminal adopts a fake online identity to gain a victim’s affection and trust and then tries to manipulate and/or steal from the victim.

• Be careful what you post and make public online. Scammers can use details shared on social media and dating sites to better understand and target you.
• Research the person’s photo and profile using online searches to see if the image, name, or details have been used elsewhere.
• Go slowly and ask lots of questions.
• Beware if the individual seems too perfect or quickly asks you to leave a dating service or social media site to communicate directly.
• Beware if the individual attempts to isolate you from friends and family or requests inappropriate photos or financial information that could later be used to extort you.
• Beware if the individual promises to meet in person but then always comes up with an excuse why he or she can’t. If you haven’t met the person after a few months, for whatever reason, you have good reason to be suspicious.
• Never send money to anyone you have only communicated with online or by phone.

Money Mule: Someone sends you money, then asks you to send SOME of it to someone else.

• Stop.
• Don’t send money.
• You could lose money or get in legal trouble.

IRS Scam: The “IRS” calls demanding money. Is it really the IRS?

• Stop.
• The IRS won’t ask you to pay by wire transfer.
• If in doubt, check with the real IRS at 800-829-1040.

Grandkid Scam: Your Grandkid calls needing money urgently. But who is it really?

• Stop.
• Don’t be rushed.
• Check with a family member.

Sources: FBI.gov, consumer.ftc.gov