Anyone Can Be a Target of Fraud

Anyone Can Be a Target of Fraud

Fraud can happen to anyone. Scammers are constantly changing their tactics, but understanding the warning signs can help you recognize a scam before it’s too late.

Top 3 Scams We Saw in August

1. Jury Duty Scam

Scammers may claim you missed jury duty and threaten you with arrest unless you make an immediate payment. They may use official-sounding language or personal information to make the call seem legitimate.

How to Stay Safe:
Hang up and do not send money or share personal information. If you’re concerned about a jury-duty notice, contact your local court directly using an official, publicly listed phone number.

2. Fake FBI Scam

Scammers may impersonate FBI agents and threaten arrest, claim you are involved in an investigation, or tell you that your money is at risk. They may pressure you to withdraw or transfer your funds to “protect” them.

How to Stay Safe:
Do not withdraw or transfer money based on an unexpected call. If you receive a suspicious request, verify it by contacting the FBI through its official website or phone number.

3. Fake Beacon Phone Call

Scammers may pretend to be calling from Beacon Federal Credit Union and ask for sensitive information, such as your account details, a verification code, or a request to transfer money.

How to Stay Safe:
Hang up and contact Beacon directly using the phone number on the back of your card or through our official website. Never provide sensitive information or verification codes to an unexpected caller.

How Can I Protect Myself From Scams?

Scammers often rely on fear, urgency, or excitement to get you to act before you have time to think. If someone unexpectedly asks you to move money, purchase gift cards, deposit a check and return part of the funds, share a verification code, or provide personal information, stop and take a moment to verify the request.

Remember These Important Steps

• Stop and think if someone is creating a sense of urgency or fear.
• Never share your password, PIN, or verification code.
• Do not move money because of an unexpected call, text, or email.
• Be honest about transactions. Never change or misrepresent the reason for a transaction when speaking with your financial institution.
• Verify the request using a trusted phone number—not one provided by the caller or message.
• Talk to someone you trust before sending money or making a financial decision.
• Contact Beacon if something doesn’t feel right. We’re here to help you protect your money and your financial journey.

When in Doubt, Stop and Verify.

Scammers want you to act quickly. You don’t have to. Taking a moment to pause, ask questions, and verify a request could help protect your money and personal information.