Fraudulent text messages and phone calls are continuing to increase. Scammers are out to steal personal and financial information, and it is important to stay alert and recognize non legitimate text messages.
In the latest of these scams, texts and calls are appearing to be from FMFCU or Zelle®.
Be aware of:
- Texts claiming to be from FMFCU or Zelle® indicating more information is needed about you or your accounts.
- Texts asking to reply to an unfamiliar charge to your debit card.
- Scammer calls acting as a “Fraud Department”.
- The Caller ID displaying FMFCU or a retailer, as they can be spoofed.
Avoid becoming the victim:
- Do not reply or respond to unexpected texts or phone calls.
- If you receive a call from FMFCU or a retailer and are unsure about it, immediately hang up and call back using the main telephone number listed on their respective corporate websites.
- Contact FMFCU immediately if you feel you’ve been scammed.
Stay on the lookout for other signs of text message scams:
What scammers may include in text messages to persuade someone to respond or click into a link:*
- Claiming that there is a problem with payment information
- A promise to help pay off student loans
- Links to take a survey about the upcoming election
- Claim there has been suspicious activity on your account
- A package delivery notification- but is actually fake
Key Ways to Stay Safe:**
- If you receive an unexpected and suspicious text message, don’t click on any links. If you think it could be legit, contact the company using a website or phone number you know is real. Don’t use the information in the text message.
- Do not respond to any suspicious text messages. Don’t even reply by messaging “STOP” or “NO.” Doing so signals that your phone number is active, and your number could be sold to other criminals.
- Take steps to filter unwanted messages or block them before they reach you. Several mobile phone providers allow you to block a sender by forwarding unwanted texts to 7726 (“SPAM”). Check with your provider about this and other blocking options available on your phone, through your wireless provider or using a call-blocking app.
- Never share personal or financial information by text, email or phone call.
- Report scam text messages to ReportFraud.ftc.gov.
*How to Recognize and Avoid Phishing Scams, Federal Trade Commission.
**How to Spot Scam Texts on Your Smartphone, Katherine Skiba, Christina Ianzito, AARP.