Security Center

Many technological advancements are designed to simplify your life, providing an added layer of convenience to your everyday tasks. However, with new technology also comes the threat of exploitation by scammers. Unfortunately, this trend has stepped into the world of QR codes – stripping away protections once enjoyed by consumers.   QR codes are commonly used to share information quickly and easily with a simple snap of your phone’s camera. As businesses increasingly rely on this tool to communicate with their customers, criminals are stepping in to abuse these scenarios for their own gain.   In this article, we’ll highlight common QR…

With the advent of payment apps like CashApp, Venmo, and Zelle, sending and receiving money is now quicker and easier than ever. Whether splitting a dinner bill, sending a friend money for concert tickets, or handling your portion of rent and utilities, peer-to-peer payment apps provide convenient payment with just a few taps.   However, with convenience sometimes comes risk. A new scam is making the rounds targeting users of these peer-to-peer payment apps. This scam involves sending “accidental” payments to unsuspecting users. It may seem harmless at first glance, and you may even think, “What’s so bad about someone accidentally…

It’s unfortunate, but you must give it to them – scammers are creative. Just when you thought you’d seen every ploy in the book, a new wave of scams emerges that are hard to resist. Why? Because they threaten legal action right away.  Fraudsters are impersonating the courts, and their messages are very convincing. On top of that, it’s your curiosity and fear that drives you to follow their instructions. The best way to beat scammers and avoid their games is to understand how their schemes operate.     Understanding Court Scams   There are two common court scams making the rounds.…

Gift cards are fun to receive and even better to give to others. Need to grab a last-minute gift? Don’t know what to give the person who has everything? Or buying for a teen that prefers to do their own shopping? No matter your circumstance, there’s a gift card for that!   Racks of gift cards can be found for sale in every store. Their popularity, availability, and ease of purchasing make them a top choice for many consumers. However, those same qualities are precisely what makes them attractive to fraudsters.   Understanding Gift Card Scams   Gift card scammers employ deceptive…

Temperatures are rising, and summer fun is here. But that’s not the only thing heating up. Scammers know that vacation season places people in unfamiliar locations, has them looking for ways to save money, and more – providing ample opportunities to enrich themselves.  Amid the excitement of your summer plans, don’t forget to stay vigilant about protecting yourself and your finances. Whether you’re globetrotting this summer, coming home from college to work and relax, or planning an epic staycation, here’s a glimpse at some of the more common summertime scams – and ways to keep you and your money safe. …

In today’s digital age, where everything from shopping to banking is done online, the threat of scams looms larger than ever. Imagine receiving an email, a text message, or even a phone call that seems legitimate, only to realize later that it was a trap set by cybercriminals. These tactics, known as phishing, smishing, and vishing, are more than just annoyances – they’re sophisticated schemes designed to steal your personal information and drain your financial accounts.   In this article, we’ll dive into the world of these deceptive practices, unravel their intricacies, and equip you with the knowledge you need to…

In today’s digital world, financial predators could be lurking around every virtual corner. Scammers live to prey on our deepest fears and capitalize on our resulting panic. Whether it’s a fraudulent email claiming your account has been compromised or a phone call insisting you owe unpaid taxes, fraudsters employ the same psychological tactics to induce fear and coerce you into immediate action.   Understanding how these predators and their tactics operate is the key to protecting yourself. In this article, we’ll reveal common aspects of financial scams and how to safeguard your accounts and money.  Fear & Scams Go Hand-in-Hand  Fear…

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…

Millions of people fall victim to identity theft every year. The best way to protect yourself is to understand how popular scams work. However, once you become comfortable identifying them, fraudsters change it up and try new methods.  A new trend emerging involves fraudsters piggybacking off legitimate text alerts from financial institutions. These messages are deceiving because they often copy the same language credit unions and banks use to alert individuals of suspicious activity on their accounts.   Identifying these fraudulent texts can be challenging at first, but there are tell-tale signs of a scam.  How Text Scams Work  Text scams…