Protecting Yourself from Today's Top Scams

Protecting Yourself from Today's Top Scams

The digital world offers incredible convenience, but it also presents opportunities for those with less honorable intentions. Scammers are constantly evolving their tactics, making it crucial for all of us to stay vigilant and informed. At SharePoint Credit Union, your financial well-being is our top priority, and that extends to protecting your identity. That's why we're excited to introduce a valuable new member service: Identity Protection powered by Identity IQ!

Before we dive into how Identity IQ can help, let's take a look at some of the prevalent scams circulating right now:

The Urgency Tactic: Government Impersonation Scams

You might receive a call, text, or email claiming to be from the IRS, Social Security Administration, or another government agency. These scammers often use aggressive and threatening language, claiming you owe money, have committed a crime, or that your benefits are at risk. They'll pressure you to provide personal information or make immediate payments, often through unconventional methods like gift cards or wire transfers.

The Tech Support Trap: Fake Security Alerts

Have you ever seen a pop-up on your computer warning of a virus or security breach? These are often scare tactics designed to trick you into calling a fake "tech support" number. Once you call, the scammer may try to gain remote access to your device, install malware, or convince you to pay for unnecessary services.

The Emotional Hook: Romance and Charity Scams

Scammers often prey on emotions. In romance scams, they build online relationships over time, eventually asking for money for fabricated emergencies. Charity scams exploit your generosity, especially after a natural disaster or during times of crisis, by soliciting donations to fake organizations.

The Convenience Illusion: Phishing and Smishing

Phishing emails and smishing (SMS phishing) texts are designed to look like legitimate communications from companies you know and trust – your bank, online retailers, or social media platforms. They often contain links that lead to fake websites where you're asked to enter your login credentials, financial information, or other sensitive data.

The Investment Promise: Get-Rich-Quick Schemes

Be wary of unsolicited offers promising high returns with little to no risk. These scams often involve cryptocurrency, foreign exchange markets, or other complex investments that are difficult to understand. Scammers will pressure you to invest quickly before the "opportunity" disappears.

Protecting Yourself: A Proactive Approach

Staying informed about these common scams is the first step in protecting yourself. Here are some crucial tips:

1. Never give out personal information (Social Security number, account numbers, passwords) over the phone, email, or text unless you initiated the contact and are certain of the recipient's legitimacy.
2. Be wary of unsolicited communications, especially those creating a sense of urgency or demanding immediate payment.
3. Verify requests independently. If you receive a suspicious communication from a company or agency, contact them directly using a known phone number or website.
4. Don't click on unfamiliar links or open suspicious attachments in emails or texts.
5. Use strong, unique passwords for all your online accounts and enable two-factor authentication whenever possible.
6. Keep your software and antivirus protection up to date.  

Introducing Identity Protection Powered by Identity IQ

To provide our members with an extra layer of security and peace of mind in this ever-evolving threat landscape, SharePoint Credit Union is proud to offer Identity Theft Protection powered by Identity IQ!

This comprehensive service can help you:

1. Monitor your credit: Receive alerts about key changes to your credit report.
2. Detect potential fraud: Get notified of suspicious activity that could indicate identity theft.
3. Protect your personal information: Benefit from features like dark web monitoring to see if your credentials have been compromised.
4. Recover your identity: If you do become a victim of identity theft, expert assistance is available to help you navigate the recovery process.

We believe that empowering our members with the right tools and knowledge is essential in the fight against fraud. Identity Protection powered by Identity IQ is another way SharePoint Credit Union is committed to your financial well-being, helping you stay safe and secure in today's digital world.

Learn more about how Identity Protection through Identity IQ can help safeguard your identity.