FRAUD ALERT: We have received reports from some of our members stating that they have received a phone call claiming to be from Taunton Federal Credit Union's Fraud Department requesting debit card numbers, expiration dates and the 3 digit security code on the back of the card. Please be aware that these communications are fraudulent and are not being made by TFCU. Do not respond or provide any personal information, instead call TFCU directly.
Fraudsters will ask their victims to pay or send money in ways that make it hard to recover once it is sent out. If the caller says to withdraw money, wire money, send cryptocurrency or buy gift cards, those are the signs that it is most likely a scam.
There are various types of imposter scams used to trick victims into giving fraudster their money, including:
Keep Your information Safe from Fraudsters
The fraudsters are unfortunately innovative in creating new variations of scams to steal from their victims.
To learn more about the most reported scams of 2022, click here to visit the FTC’s website
Below, find a quick look at some common types of scams to watch out for. Information below is provided by the Federal Trade Commission.
People lose a lot of money to phone scams — sometimes their life savings. Scammers have figured out countless ways to cheat you out of your money over the phone. In some scams, they act friendly and helpful. In others, they might threaten or try to scare you. One thing you can count on is that a phone scammer will try to get your money or your personal information to commit identity theft. Don’t give it to them. Here’s what you need to know.
Skimmers are illegal card readers attached to payment terminals such as ATMs. These card readers grab data off a credit or debit card’s magnetic stripe without your knowledge. Criminals sell the stolen data or use it to buy things online. You won’t know your information has been stolen until a transaction occurs.
Here are a few tips to help you avoid a skimmer when you pay:
For scammers, there’s a lot to like about social media. It’s a low-cost way to reach billions of people from anywhere in the world. It’s easy to manufacture a fake persona, or scammers can hack into an existing profile to get “friends” to con. There’s the ability to fine-tune their approach by studying the personal details people share on social media. In fact, scammers could easily use the tools available to advertisers on social media platforms to systematically target people with bogus ads based on personal details such as their age, interests, or past purchases.
Here are some ways to help you stay safe on social media:
Someone might ask 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. If they ask you to do this, they’re trying to scam you. No real business or government agency will ever insist you pay them with a gift card. Anyone who demands to be paid with a gift card is a scammer.
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.
Occurs when a scammer reaches out to someone and pretends to be their grandchild. They will often make up a distressful situation—such as being stuck in jail—and ask for financial assistance.
Medicare scams involve scamming Medicare beneficiaries by claiming to be a Medicare representative and asking for personal and medical information. They can then use or sell this info for identity theft.
Occurs when someone builds a relationship with you online and then starts asking for money. They create complete social media profiles and have sophisticated backstories for their fake identities.
You may come across promises of easy work-from-home jobs and be told all you need to do is pay for training—you’ll pay, but there isn’t a real job available.
Occurs when scammers set up websites that seem like legitimate storefronts but only exist to collect your payment information or sell you stolen goods. These sites can look surprisingly real.
Sometimes, scammers will offer home improvements such as energy efficient upgrades that could save you money over time. After accepting an initial deposit, the scammer will disappear.
Tech support scams may start with an online popup warning you that your device is infected. You may be prompted to install an update that turns out to be malicious software and can steal your information.
You might get a call, email, or text from a scammer telling you that you’ve won a prize or can enter into a sweepstakes—but it’s all made up. They’ll take your money and you won’t get anything in return.
The fraudsters involved in these deceptive schemes will impersonate a specific political figure or support towards an issue-based cause. Donation or Charity scams are a type of imposter scam that typically comes in the form of a phishing text, email, or phone call.
Steps to avoid donation or charity scams.
If you are interested in donating to a legitimate charity or campaign, visit the Federal Trade Commission website to learn more about what to do before donating.
