Tips To Avoid Fraud | TruChoice Federal Credit Union

It seems every day there’s a new scam to worry about. Thieves can be very creative. Use the information and links below to help decide if someone is trying to scam you and protect yourself.

Spoofed phone numbers

Scammers can make a number you trust show up on your caller ID when they’re calling. It’s called spoofing. Be wary if the person on the other end wants you to do something that doesn’t seem right.

Examples

Callers claim that you have a family member in jail, the hospital, or is in some kind of danger.
Callers claim to be from the IRS, government or law enforcement, and claiming you owe them money and will be arrested if you do not comply

Red flags

You’re pressured to act quickly, while they are still on the phone. Fraudsters don’t want you to talk to anyone else before they get what they want.
You're instructed to pay in a specific way (payment app, gift cards, cryptocurrency, wire transfers, etc.) This is how scammers keep your credit union or bank from protecting you, and these methods are usually untraceable and final.
You're told not to tell your financial institution, friends or family about the call. No government official, law enforcement officer, or organization you know and trust will tell you to keep the call a secret.

If any of this happens, hang up and directly dial the loved one or organization mentioned.

Get a call or text from our fraud department?

Don’t assume that it’s TruChoice. A scammer may be spoofing one of our phone numbers. It’s easy to tell if it’s a member of our fraud team calling you:

We never ask for full pieces of personal identification

We never ask for your online banking login ID, passwords, or one-time login codes in a text message.

We never ask for your full card number, expiration date, or CVV unless you are calling us directly regarding an issue with your card.

Not sure if it’s us? Hang up and dial us directly at 207.772.0808.

Social media romance & friendship scams

A common scam is when fraudsters try to gain your trust to get your money. They often target vulnerable people, and the scams are common on social media.

What happens

You don’t know the person who contacts you in real life, and they do not live nearby. They may be using someone else’s photo for their profile picture. They will often make up excuses about why they can’t meet in person or do a video call.

They may claim to have a common friend (pulled from your friends list) who doesn’t know or remember them.

They will try and bond with you quickly, pulling on your emotions with stories of recent hardship that usually have a financial angle.If you don’t offer to send money, they will ask you directly. They usually need it immediately.

Like other scams, they will discourage you from talking about them with loved ones or your financial institution.

They will try to move communicating off social media and text you or use a messaging app instead.

Don’t send them money, and never share personal information, banking information, your online banking ID, or password.

The best prevention for scams or fraud is you.

Trust your instincts.

If something seems too good to be true, or you need to act immediately, or someone tries to get your personal information, hang up the phone or don’t engage with them on social media.
If you are being threatened or rushed, this is a way to exploit your emotions. These are empty threats are designed to get you to act immediately.
If something seems suspicious or someone is telling you not to tell anyone, the first thing you should do is talk to someone you trust. They will have a different perspective and can help you avoid fraud.

Always create strong passwords that include letters, numbers, and special characters, and never share your ID or passwords!

Do not open e-mails or click on links from people you do not know, whether it’s on social media, text, or email.

Protect yourself from scams and fraud schemes