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Most scams don't begin with someone asking for your bank account number. They begin much more subtle. A simple text message. A phone call. An email. A social media post. The scary part? Most of these situations look completely normal at first. As you read each scenario, imagine it's happening to you. Would you know what to do next?
You're Waiting on a Package:
You've ordered a few things recently, so when your phone buzzes with a text that says your package can't be delivered because of an address issue, you don't think twice.
There's a convenient link to update your information. Your thumb is already moving toward the screen... But wait! Before you tap the link, ask yourself the following:
• Does the message mention the company you actually ordered from, or is it vague?
• Does the link look legitimate?
• Can I verify this message another way?
Many delivery scams are designed to create just enough urgency that you react before you think. What should you do instead? Open the retailer's app or visit the shipping company's website directly. If there's truly an issue with your delivery, you'll be able to see it there without putting your personal information at risk.
Your Phone Rings:
The caller ID says Champion Credit Union. The person on the phone sounds professional. They tell you they've detected suspicious activity on your account and need to verify your debit card number and online banking login information to stop the fraud. They know your name, so this must be real, right?
How does this happen? Scammers can make their phone number appear to be your financial institution. It's called caller ID spoofing, and it happens more often than people realize. Scammers can gather personal details like your name from social media, public records, and data breaches. They don't need to know much about you to sound convincing.
Here's what you should do if this happens to you: Hang up and call us using the number listed here on our official website. If the call wasn't legitimate, you'll be glad you trusted your instincts.
You Receive an Unexpected Refund:
An email says you've been overcharged and are owed a refund. All you need to do is click a button and enter your online banking credentials. After all, who doesn't like getting money back?
But ask yourself; why would someone need your online banking username and password to send you a refund? Legitimate companies won't ask for your login credentials.
Here's what you should do instead: Visit the company's website directly or contact their customer service using information you know is legitimate.
An email says you've been overcharged and are owed a refund. All you need to do is click a button and enter your online banking credentials. After all, who doesn't like getting money back?
But ask yourself; why would someone need your online banking username and password to send you a refund? Legitimate companies won't ask for your login credentials.
Here's what you should do instead: Visit the company's website directly or contact their customer service using information you know is legitimate.
You Meet Someone Online:
The conversations start casually. Days turn into weeks. Weeks become months. You've never met in person, but you've built a connection. Then one day, they tell you they're dealing with an emergency. They need help. Just this once. They promise they'll pay you back. This is where many romance scams begin.
Scammers invest time building trust before ever asking for money. Once emotions are involved, making an objective decision becomes much more difficult.
What should you do in this situation? Never send money to someone you've never met in person, no matter how convincing their story may seem.
If someone pressures you to keep the relationship secret or asks for gift cards, cryptocurrency, or wire transfers, consider it a major warning sign.
The conversations start casually. Days turn into weeks. Weeks become months. You've never met in person, but you've built a connection. Then one day, they tell you they're dealing with an emergency. They need help. Just this once. They promise they'll pay you back. This is where many romance scams begin.
Scammers invest time building trust before ever asking for money. Once emotions are involved, making an objective decision becomes much more difficult.
What should you do in this situation? Never send money to someone you've never met in person, no matter how convincing their story may seem.
If someone pressures you to keep the relationship secret or asks for gift cards, cryptocurrency, or wire transfers, consider it a major warning sign.
You Win a Prize You Don't Remember Entering:
Congratulations! You've won a brand-new laptop. Or maybe it’s a vacation. There's only one catch... To claim your prize, you first need to pay taxes, shipping fees, or processing costs. It sounds reasonable. Until you stop to think. A legitimate prize shouldn't require you to pay money to receive it.
If someone asks for gift cards, cryptocurrency, or immediate payment to claim winnings, it's almost certainly a scam.
What to do instead: If you don't remember entering a contest, be skeptical. If it sounds too good to be true, it probably is.
Congratulations! You've won a brand-new laptop. Or maybe it’s a vacation. There's only one catch... To claim your prize, you first need to pay taxes, shipping fees, or processing costs. It sounds reasonable. Until you stop to think. A legitimate prize shouldn't require you to pay money to receive it.
If someone asks for gift cards, cryptocurrency, or immediate payment to claim winnings, it's almost certainly a scam.
What to do instead: If you don't remember entering a contest, be skeptical. If it sounds too good to be true, it probably is.
Are you noticing a pattern? Every one of these scams tried to make you feel something before asking you to do something.
• Panic.
• Excitement.
• Curiosity.
• Trust.
• Urgency.
That's not a coincidence. Scammers count on emotions causing us to act before we stop to think. One pause. One phone call. One extra minute to verify. These small actions can make all the difference.
• Panic.
• Excitement.
• Curiosity.
• Trust.
• Urgency.
That's not a coincidence. Scammers count on emotions causing us to act before we stop to think. One pause. One phone call. One extra minute to verify. These small actions can make all the difference.
Your Best Defense Is Slowing Down:
Technology changes. Scams evolve. New tactics appear every day. But here’s one piece of advice that will never go out of style:
If something feels urgent, unexpected, or just doesn't seem quite right, pause before you respond. It could be the difference between getting scammed and keeping your money and information secure.
Technology changes. Scams evolve. New tactics appear every day. But here’s one piece of advice that will never go out of style:
If something feels urgent, unexpected, or just doesn't seem quite right, pause before you respond. It could be the difference between getting scammed and keeping your money and information secure.