Many fraudsters will target you using scams such as fake emails, text messages, voice calls, letters, or even someone who shows up at your front door unexpectedly. To help you stay safe from potential scams, it’s important to be aware of scenarios that fraudsters often use: 

 

  • Pressuring you to send money
  • Threatening you with law enforcement action
  • Asking you to purchase gift cards and provide the codes as a form of payment
  • Asking you to cash a check for a stranger or send money via wire transfer or Zelle
  • Asking you to deposit a check for an amount more than what you are selling an item for and then requesting you to send the difference elsewhere
  • Requesting you to respond to questions in untruthful ways
  • Telling you you’ve won a sweepstakes or lottery you didn’t enter, or that you’re owed money from a class-action lawsuit
  • Asking you to pay upfront taxes or fees – either foreign or domestic
  • Scammers pressuring you to act now; they don’t want you to take the time to do research or to think too carefully before parting with your money
  • A person claiming to be a government official contacts you to confirm your windfall. The emails sent may even appear to be from real government email addresses, but if you look further, the email is not from a “.gov” email.

 

These are just some of the common scenarios that UCU has been made aware of relating to fraudsters. It is important to remember that if you authorize a transfer or send money to a fraudster, it may be difficult to be reimbursed.

Concerned you're a victim of fraud?

Call us at 800.UCU.4510 to report it immediately! We'll review your account with you and assist with any security questions.

More Security Resources:

Phishing Scams & Breaches
Learn the effective ways to fight back against scam artists and data phishers.
Credit & Debit Card Safety
Learn the best ways to use ATMs and credit cards.