Scammers can be convincing, especially if you're caught off-guard by an “emergency" phone call, email or text message. However, paying close attention to the things scammers say — and how they say them — can give you clues about their real intentions.
At Wright-Patt Credit Union® (WPCU®), we know all about the tricks scammers have up their sleeves to convince people into giving up their personal and financial information. They love to use urgency and fear tactics to make people panic and act fast without pausing to think about who's really on the other end of the phone or keyboard.
But once you know the common things scammers say, it's a lot easier to protect yourself — and your hard-earned money — from their lies and schemes.
1. “We need you to provide your login so we can 'verify' your account." Remember, legitimate organizations, including WPCU, will never request your login credentials over phone, email or text message. We use other methods to confirm our members' identities. If someone is asking for your sensitive information, it's probably a scammer. 2. “You have a large pending transaction. Click here to confirm." If you're notified about a mysterious charge you didn't make, pause and remain calm. Scammers want you to panic and act quickly without thinking things through. Look closely — does the message have spelling or grammatical errors? Does it have a suspicious-looking link? Don't click it! Instead, close the message and simply check your accounts for any signs of fraudulent charges. 3. “Your credit card was breached. You must ACT FAST to secure your account." While credit card fraud attempts can and do happen, WPCU will not request your personal account information because your account has been “compromised." Anyone demanding you “act fast" is likely a scammer. WPCU does contact members if suspicious activity is identified on their accounts, however, we won't ask you to click on links or provide sensitive information. If you have any concerns, call WPCU directly. 4. “Your package couldn't be delivered. Click here to reschedule." With the rise of online shopping, scammers are taking advantage of consumers by posing as well-known delivery services. Whether you're expecting a package or not, think twice before clicking any links. It could be a scammer trying to steal your information. If you are expecting a package, you can usually get tracking information directly from the retailer or sender. 5. “This is your credit union. Respond NOW or your account will be locked!" Scammers can “spoof" phone numbers and email addresses to make them seem like legitimate sources, including WPCU. However, WPCU will never threaten to close or suspend your account if you do not provide your personal account information. This is something only scammers say — don't fall for it! 6. “Send money ASAP, or you'll be arrested. Don't tell anyone." Sounds like a scam! You don't need to wire money, buy cryptocurrency or send gift cards to someone to avoid going to jail. Law enforcement and government agents will not contact you and request payment for a fine or warrant. Secrecy is another sure sign of a scam. You can — and should — tell someone if you receive a message like this. 7. “You've won a prize! Send your account information to claim it." Not all scammers sound mean and threatening. Some may contact you sharing good news, like winning a contest, vacation or scholarship. Again, pause to think it through. You can't win a contest you never entered, and you don't need to send money or provide financial information in order to claim a prize or scholarship. This is likely a scammer.
1. “We need you to provide your login so we can 'verify' your account."
Remember, legitimate organizations, including WPCU, will never request your login credentials over phone, email or text message. We use other methods to confirm our members' identities. If someone is asking for your sensitive information, it's probably a scammer.
2. “You have a large pending transaction. Click here to confirm."
If you're notified about a mysterious charge you didn't make, pause and remain calm. Scammers want you to panic and act quickly without thinking things through.
Look closely — does the message have spelling or grammatical errors? Does it have a suspicious-looking link? Don't click it! Instead, close the message and simply check your accounts for any signs of fraudulent charges.
3. “Your credit card was breached. You must ACT FAST to secure your account."
While credit card fraud attempts can and do happen, WPCU will not request your personal account information because your account has been “compromised." Anyone demanding you “act fast" is likely a scammer.
WPCU does contact members if suspicious activity is identified on their accounts, however, we won't ask you to click on links or provide sensitive information. If you have any concerns, call WPCU directly.
4. “Your package couldn't be delivered. Click here to reschedule."
With the rise of online shopping, scammers are taking advantage of consumers by posing as well-known delivery services. Whether you're expecting a package or not, think twice before clicking any links. It could be a scammer trying to steal your information.
If you are expecting a package, you can usually get tracking information directly from the retailer or sender.
5. “This is your credit union. Respond NOW or your account will be locked!"
Scammers can “spoof" phone numbers and email addresses to make them seem like legitimate sources, including WPCU. However, WPCU will never threaten to close or suspend your account if you do not provide your personal account information. This is something only scammers say — don't fall for it!
6. “Send money ASAP, or you'll be arrested. Don't tell anyone."
Sounds like a scam! You don't need to wire money, buy cryptocurrency or send gift cards to someone to avoid going to jail. Law enforcement and government agents will not contact you and request payment for a fine or warrant.
Secrecy is another sure sign of a scam. You can — and should — tell someone if you receive a message like this.
7. “You've won a prize! Send your account information to claim it."
Not all scammers sound mean and threatening. Some may contact you sharing good news, like winning a contest, vacation or scholarship.
Again, pause to think it through. You can't win a contest you never entered, and you don't need to send money or provide financial information in order to claim a prize or scholarship. This is likely a scammer.
When in doubt about whether or not WPCU is trying to reach you, hang up or close the message. Instead, call WPCU directly at (937) 912-7000 or (800) 762-0047 to verify if we were actually trying to contact you.
As your caring financial partner, Wright-Patt Credit Union is here to help you safeguard your personal and financial information against fraud. For more helpful tips, tools and resources, check out our fraud prevention page.