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Protect Your Finances from Scammers

Universal Tips    

  • Do not respond to links or phone calls notifying you that your account has been frozen or there are fraudulent transactions on your account. If you receive a fraud alert from CUA, it will only ask if you made a specific transaction, with a yes/no button to reply. If you are suspicious of the notification, call the number on the back of your card or CUA to confirm the request.  
  • Keep personal information private. Every scam needs personal information. Legitimate companies will not initiate contact with you and ask for your social security number, account numbers, passwords, username, or other personal information.
  • If you receive notification of a locked account, fraudulent transaction, or similar notice, contact the company directly from a phone number you’ve researched and verified from the company’s statement or their legitimate website.
  • If a company reaches out to you to say they owe you a refund for any reason refer to #1 and #3.
  • Never give access to your computer/device or your CUA accounts. Even if they say they’ll just watch you make the requested transaction, or to update your software, do not give access.
  • Do not accept and negotiate checks or automated deposits from parties you do not know personally.
  • Choose strong passwords and change passwords frequently.
  • If you give out any of your information and then question the situation, change your passwords and contact your financial institution(s) immediately. If you have a CUA debit or credit card you can go in via the app or online and lock your card so it can’t be used. Call CUA and we will assess the situation and suggest your next steps. You can also call the number on the back of the card(s) 24/7 to report fraud.

What CUA is Seeing

Is it Really Amazon?

We are seeing an increase in scammers falsely representing themselves as legitimate companies. You’ve likely heard where individuals receive calls from companies, such as “Amazon” about an unauthorized charge. When the customer says they didn’t make the charge, the scammer says they’ll provide a credit once the customer provides some information. The legitimate companies will not ask for personal information to facilitate a refund. And generally, they won’t call you about a transaction.

Is it Really your Software or Security Provider?

Another prevalent scam we’re seeing is where a member receives a notification on their device from supposedly Microsoft or a security software company. The message is worded to cause concern, trying to tempt the member to click on the link or phone link to contact the company. Unfortunately, that phone number or email link is NOT going to a legitimate company. It’s going to the scammer that is posing as the company. Additionally, if a company issues a credit and then asks for you to return a portion of it, don’t do it.

Portraits for Cash?

This is a newer scam and it’s targeting younger adults and teenagers. An “artist” on social media reaches out to a member, most often on Instagram. They offer to paint photos the member has posted, and they offer to pay the member for use of the photo. The scammer requests their private email and then sends them a fake check that is for much more than what the “artist” indicated they would pay the member. When the member brings this to their attention the scammer directs them to deposit the check via SnapCheck and send any extra back to the “artist” for art supplies. It sounds good as the member is getting a portion of the check, but days later the check is returned as altered or fictitious. The member is out the portion of the funds they sent back. CUA staff review remote deposited items before the deposit is approved, but it is not always obvious with the check alone that it is fraudulent. It’s best to not accept checks from unknown people and if you do, you should leave 100% of the funds in your account until your financial institution is certain they can’t be returned.

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