Fraud and scams come in all shapes and sizes, and fraudsters are always looking for new ways to take advantage of your hard-earned money.
Discover smart ways to protect yourself from fraud—whether in person, over the phone, or when handling payments like wire transfers and checks. Explore tips and insights below to stay safe and secure.
Protect yourself by learning the common signs of fraud.
Online fraud is more common than ever with cybercriminals using phishing, smishing, and hacking to steal personal and financial data.
Common online fraud:
How to protect yourself: Always think before you click, respond, react, or share your personal information online. Make sure your devices are updated with firewalls and anti-spyware to prevent hackers from accessing your information. When it comes to online dating websites, stick to larger companies with a positive reputation and beware of interactions with users from overseas. Many fraudsters operate from outside of the United States. Monitor your accounts and credit reports frequently to check for unusual data.
Fraudsters may also target their victims in person to access their money, financial data, or personal information.
Common in-person fraud:
How to protect yourself: Always research charities to verify the legitimacy of the organization before making a donation. To check for skimmers, give the card-reading device a tug and look for signs of broken seals around the card-reader.
Fraudsters may contact victims over the phone posing as reputable sources and request money or personal identifiable information.
How to protect yourself:
To help protect against phone fraud, do not respond to unsolicited calls asking for personal or financial information, and never provide your account details, including your PIN, over the phone. If you receive a suspicious call, do not engage with the caller and remember that it is always okay to hang up if you feel unsure or uncomfortable. Always take time to independently research organizations, charities, travel opportunities, or offers rather than relying on information given during a call. If needed, contact the organization directly using a trusted phone number to verify the request. Trust your instincts—if something seems suspicious, avoid sharing any information and end the call.
If you believe you have been the victim of an IRS impersonation scam, contact the Treasury Inspector General for Tax Administration (TIGTA). You can also register your phone number with the National Do Not Call Registry online or by calling 1-888-382-1222. If you continue to receive telemarketing calls after registering, there is a strong chance that the calls may be fraudulent.
Mail fraud is a federal crime and includes schemes or activity carried out with the use of United States mail.
Common types of mail fraud:
How to protect yourself: To avoid mail theft, empty your mailboxes daily and don’t send cash or gift cards through the mail. If you’re traveling, ask your local post office to hold your mail until you return. Sign up for WPCU’s Online Bill Pay instead of mailing checks to prevent mail fraud. WPCU also offers free certified bins for members to safely dispose of their confidential mail and checks, helping to prevent the risk of fraud. Finally, remember that you cannot win a contest or lottery that you did not enter in the first place. If an offer seems too good to be true, it probably is!
Wire transfer fraud and check fraud are among the fastest-growing financial crimes—once the money is gone, it can be difficult to recover lost funds. Fraudsters use these methods to trick victims into sending funds or cashing counterfeit checks.
Common wire transfer and check fraud:
How to protect yourself: Never wire money to someone you don’t know. If a relative asks you to send money via wire transfer, call other family members to confirm if the story is true. Store blank checks in a safe place and shred previously paid or canceled checks to prevent check washing. WPCU offers free certified bins for members to dispose of checks. Don’t cash suspicious checks and never wire money to someone you don’t know.
If you believe you have encountered any type of scam or may have shared personal or financial information, it is important to report it as soon as possible. Prompt reporting can help protect your accounts and limit potential damage. You should contact your financial institution right away and monitor your accounts for any unusual activity. Staying alert and reporting suspicious situations helps protect both you and others from fraud.
Now that you know how fraud and scams happen, you can spot the signs and protect yourself. And, as your caring financial partner, Wright-Patt Credit Union® (WPCU®) is always here to help.
If you do suspect fraud or spot something unusual on your WPCU accounts, call the Member Help Center at (800) 762-0047 right away to get help protecting and securing your accounts or visit your nearest Member Center .