Security Center

Most of us like to think we’d recognize a scam if we saw one. We’d notice the strange email address, question the unexpected text, or know better than to give someone our account or personal information over the phone.  The problem is that fraud doesn’t always look suspicious. A message may appear to come from a company you know. A caller may already have some of your personal information. Instead of trying to recognize every scam that comes along, a better defense is building everyday habits that make it harder for fraud to succeed.  Fraud Doesn’t Always Announce Itself  Fraud…

It usually begins with something that feels normal. A phone call that appears to be from the credit union with a person on the other end who is calm, professional, and ready to help. They explain there’s been suspicious activity on your account and that a quick fix is needed to protect your money. Before long, you’re working through the steps together, trying to fix what feels like a real problem.  By the time the call ends, a transaction has been approved. Not due to security failures, but because the situation felt urgent and believable. That’s how many scams work today.   In this article, we’ll break down how fraud is shifting, common tactics being used right now, the…

Common Tax Scams & How to Avoid Them  Tax season is here, and it tends to put most people on edge. Many are anxious to file their returns because they rely on the money from their tax refund. Others find it stressful to locate all their tax documents and file on time. Add in people’s fear of the IRS and making mistakes on their returns, and it creates the perfect environment for scammers.  Fraudsters feed off uncertainty, and tax time provides multiple opportunities to deceive taxpayers. Fortunately, protecting yourself can be easy with the right knowledge.   While the tactics used…

A new year often brings a fresh financial mindset. People review budgets, set goals, apply for loans, and spend more time managing accounts online. Those shifts are normal. Unfortunately, they also create opportunities for scammers who are constantly watching how consumer behavior changes.  Fraud does not slow down after the holidays. It adapts. Scam tactics evolve alongside technology, digital banking habits, and everyday tools people trust. That’s why some of today’s scams feel more believable than ever before. Staying informed about how these schemes work helps you recognize the warning signs early and protect your accounts before a situation escalates.    Why Scams Are Becoming More…

And some ways you can spot them   As digital payment scams become more prevalent, they are also more sophisticated, making them harder to detect. Scammers employ what is known as “social engineering” to manipulate people into revealing sensitive information.   It’s all about the psychology of persuasion. These scammers take advantage of human nature, aiming to lower your defenses so you’ll act on impulse rather than reason.   Let’s look at some examples of how social engineering uses the powers of persuasion to steal personal information and money:   Pretexting   Building a solid pretext or a fabricated scenario is an important aspect of…

You may be doing everything right to protect yourself from online threats – creating strong passwords, avoiding suspicious links, and monitoring your accounts regularly. But what about your children?  From school tablets to gaming consoles and social media apps, kids are growing up in a fully connected world. While technology offers incredible learning opportunities, it also opens doors to risks they may not recognize. Many children and teens overshare personal details online without realizing how easily that information can be misused.  Keeping young minds safe online isn’t always simple, but taking the right steps can build strong digital guardrails that…

Zelle® is a fast, private, and easy way to send and receive money with people you trust, like your sibling, friend, babysitter, coworkers, fellow PTA mom, or your son’s soccer coach. Whether you just enrolled with Zelle® or have been an active user for a while, there are a few tips you should always keep in mind to ensure you are being safe when sending money.   Only send money to those you know and trust  Money moves fast with Zelle®, directly from checking account to checking account in minutes,* so it’s important you know and trust the people you’re sending…

While cryptocurrency has been around for quite some time, what it is and how it is used as a currency remains a mystery in the minds of so many. However, as more governments around the world eye its potential or seek to regulate its usage, cryptocurrency continues to rise in popularity.  Unfortunately, anytime there is something new, especially in the financial world, it will attract bad actors. There are many features of crypto that make it the ideal currency for fraudsters. But as more people flock to the currency as an investment, it’s becoming the foundation for new scams.  In…

Keeping your financial accounts safe in today’s digital world is a growing challenge. Hackers are constantly coming up with new ways to gain access to your accounts through your computer and even your mobile devices. It’s important to remain proactive when it comes to protecting your finances. Here are some ways you can make sure you’re protected.  Add Antivirus Software  While you probably have antivirus software on your computer, did you know it can also add this layer of protection to your mobile devices? And since you likely use your mobile devices as often, if not more, than your computer,…

Scammers are always working on the next creative ploy to steal your personal information and hard-earned money. However, some scams have stood the test of time and continue to wreak havoc on the finances of unsuspecting victims. You may wonder how people continue to fall for these scams – the answer is a combination of fear and trust.   Fraudsters impersonating government agencies have higher credibility than traditional phishers or extended warranty schemes. Then, they add a touch of fear to the equation, and victims panic and start to comply with the scammers’ requests.   The best defense against any scam is…