Protect Yourself from Phishing Scams
The number of scams to be on the lookout for seems to be ever-increasing. Scammers are becoming more and more sophisticated with their ruses, but they’re really just variations on the same theme. It’s not as hard as you might think to detect scams and avoid falling into their traps. Phishing is one of the most common types of scams, and we’re here to help you learn how to avoid them with these tips to protect yourself from phishing scams.
What is Phishing?
Phishing is when scammers send a message that appears to be from someone else, like a reputable company or financial institution, to trick you into sharing personal identifying information, such as financial account information, debit and credit card details, login credentials, or other sensitive information. Though phishing most frequently occurs via email or text messages, there are also phishing scams that take place through social media messages or phone calls.
What are the Red Flags?
Phishing scams are constantly evolving, but the basic elements remain the same: the scammer pretends to be someone else so they can trick you into sharing information. Here are some of the most common tactics of phishing scams that raise a red flag.
These ruses are so effective because the scammers intentionally try to make them seem believable so you’re more likely to click on the fake link or respond to the message or phone call and provide your information. Know that Robins Financial Credit Union will never request access to your computer or other device, nor will we ever ask for your Digital Banking login ID or password, Secure Access Code, or any other account information.
- Warning you of suspicious activity on your account
- Notifying you of issues with your payment information
- Claiming that your account is locked
- Posing as technical support for your device, email, financial account, etc.
- Asking you to verify purchases
- Fake notifications for package delivery or tracking
- Offering prizes or gift cards
- Impersonating a person you know and trust
- Impersonating a government agency, insurance agency, financial institution, or business
- Creating a false sense of urgency and pressuring you to act quickly
What Can You Do?
The best defense against suspicious emails, text messages, or phone calls, is to not engage; ignore and delete the message or hang up the phone. Here are some more tips to help you protect yourself from phishing scams:
- Never click on links in a message if you are unfamiliar with the sender or if the message appears suspicious
- Never confirm or provide personal information via email, text, or over the phone, including financial account numbers, credit or debit card details, or login credentials especially for Digital Banking
- Never share your Secure Access Code (SAC) for Digital Banking with anyone under any circumstance
- If you’re not sure if a phone number or website link is legitimate, type the company name into your search engine and see if the website address and contact information matches
- Contact a company directly using the contact information on their website or your statement, rather than following links or phone numbers in unsolicited messages
- Check to see if your device or your service provider offers a feature to automatically block calls from potential spam callers
- Be aware that while Robins Financial Credit Union or our Falcon Fraud Prevention Service may contact you to verify recent transactions in the event of suspected fraud, we will only ask for confirmation of activity. We will not request sensitive information.
- We have recently launched a new feature of our Falcon Fraud Prevention Service, in which members may receive an email to verify recent transactions on their Robins Financial Credit Union debit or credit card. This email is only to verify transactions, we will not request sensitive information. Please verify the listed transactions should you receive this email.
Use these tips to keep your guard up and protect yourself from scams. If someone contacts you pretending to be from Robins Financial Credit Union, or if you believe your account may have been compromised by fraud, report it to us immediately.
The safety and security of our members is a top priority. Protecting your information works best when we have your help. Let’s work together to keep your accounts protected. To learn more about how we protect our members every day and how you can protect yourself, review our Security and Fraud information online, and watch our Scams and Fraud playlist on YouTube.
At Robins Financial Credit Union, our mission is to enhance the financial well-being of our members and community. We honor this commitment by providing educational content to help you make the most of your finances. Read our other blog articles to help you gain the financial knowledge you need to succeed.