Scammers are always thinking of new ways to gain your trust and trick you into doing what they want. One of the most common tactics is called an imposter scam.
In an imposter scam, a fraudster contacts you pretending to be a familiar source, such as:
These imposters are hoping to catch you off guard and pressure you into sharing sensitive information, sending money or even providing remote access to your computer.
Don’t fall for the fakes! We have three tips to help you outsmart imposter scammers:
1. Pause, Then VerifyIt happens quickly. Your phone rings, and the Caller ID looks like it’s from your credit union. You answer, and the person on the other end tells you your account has been flagged for fraud. To fix the issue, they need you to provide your debit card number. Here’s what you should do: Hang up. Why? WPCU® will never contact you out of the blue asking for your personal or account information. That’s what scammers do! The same tip applies to suspicious emails and texts that look like they’re from a trusted source. Pause to think it through. Why would a legitimate source need you to provide information they should already have?When in doubt, call the organization directly using a verified number, not one provided in a suspicious message. A quick double-check could save you from a costly scam!2. Pay Attention to Your EmotionsFraudsters love to play on emotions. They might try to scare you, confuse you or pressure you into acting right away. They may threaten you with legal action, fines or even arrest if you don’t do exactly what they say. If you’re contacted by someone who claims to be from a trusted source, but their message seems rushed, threatening, urgent or just “off,” don’t ignore your gut feeling. Those emotional red flags are usually a sign of a scam. Stay calm and think it through. Remember, legitimate organizations like WPCU will never try to intimidate or rush you into doing something. If you’re unsure, don’t click or respond. 3. Watch for Unusual Payment MethodsAnother red flag of an imposter scam is someone demanding payment using an unusual method. This includes:
It happens quickly. Your phone rings, and the Caller ID looks like it’s from your credit union. You answer, and the person on the other end tells you your account has been flagged for fraud. To fix the issue, they need you to provide your debit card number.
Here’s what you should do: Hang up.
Why? WPCU® will never contact you out of the blue asking for your personal or account information. That’s what scammers do!
The same tip applies to suspicious emails and texts that look like they’re from a trusted source. Pause to think it through. Why would a legitimate source need you to provide information they should already have?
When in doubt, call the organization directly using a verified number, not one provided in a suspicious message. A quick double-check could save you from a costly scam!
Fraudsters love to play on emotions. They might try to scare you, confuse you or pressure you into acting right away. They may threaten you with legal action, fines or even arrest if you don’t do exactly what they say. If you’re contacted by someone who claims to be from a trusted source, but their message seems rushed, threatening, urgent or just “off,” don’t ignore your gut feeling. Those emotional red flags are usually a sign of a scam.
Stay calm and think it through. Remember, legitimate organizations like WPCU will never try to intimidate or rush you into doing something. If you’re unsure, don’t click or respond.
Another red flag of an imposter scam is someone demanding payment using an unusual method. This includes:
Scammers like these payment methods because they’re hard to trace. Most of the time, once the money’s gone, it’s almost impossible to get it back. If you’re ever pressured to pay in a way that feels strange or unfamiliar, stop and double-check before taking action. Never send money or provide your personal details to someone who contacts you out of the blue via phone call, email or text message.
Scammers like these payment methods because they’re hard to trace. Most of the time, once the money’s gone, it’s almost impossible to get it back.
If you’re ever pressured to pay in a way that feels strange or unfamiliar, stop and double-check before taking action. Never send money or provide your personal details to someone who contacts you out of the blue via phone call, email or text message.
At WPCU, we take a proactive approach to fraud prevention. We want to help you spot the signs, too! If you notice a scammer pretending to be WPCU, please let us know and share examples of fraudulent texts or emails you receive. This helps us warn and protect other members at the credit union.
Stay up to date on the latest scams by visiting our Fraud Prevention page. We’re With You!