Security against fraud
Protect yourself and loved ones from getting scammed!
Consumers will never contact you by phone, text, or email to ask for sensitive information such as card numbers, account numbers, MFA codes, or personal identification. If something feels off, pause and assess the situation—does it make sense? Trust your instincts and call us directly at 800.991.2221 to confirm. No request is ever so urgent that you can’t pause and check with us first.
Fraud Articles & Podcasts Recently Reported Scams
That four-digit code to complete credit/debit purchases or used at an ATM—we never need to know that. (You might also take care to shield the keys whenever you type in your PIN.)
We will not ask to verify the last 8 of your debit and/or credit card number. We have that information on file and do not use that for verification purposes.
If you have multi-factor or two-factor authentication set up (and, yes, it’s a good idea) on your device and/or for Online Banking, we will never request the code prompts from you—either on the phone, by text or on a website.
If Consumers contacts you then we will not ask for your social security number. But if you call in to our call center then you may need to provide for verification purposes.
We will never ask you to withdraw all the money in your account to “Keep it safe”. We will also never coach you through large withdrawal questions.
We will never ask you to purchase gift cards in any way but especially as a form of payment.
Some smartphone features could leave you vulnerable
Read how using smartphone voice search and virtual assistant technology apps to look up and dial phone numbers could put you at risk for scams.
Holiday shopping is in full swing, and scammers know it. They use fake websites, phishing links, and urgent delivery messages to trick you into giving your personal or card information.
Here’s what to watch for:
– Fake Delivery Notifications: Emails or texts claiming your package is delayed or needs address confirmation. Always verify the tracking numbers directly on the retailer’s site.
Fraudsters may impersonate Consumers Credit Union via fake emails, texts, or phone calls that are similar to ours where they are seeking to gain sensitive information from you. A Consumers Credit Union employee will never reach out to you requesting this information. Be wary of fraudsters reaching out impersonating government entities (IRS, FBI, etc.) as well.
Fraudsters will reach out to you via online platforms with a fake
profile pretending to be a well-known celebrity. They will try and become close to you and form a relationship while using AI-generated images or audio. They will ask you to send money through person-to-person payments, ACH, or wire transfers, or by asking you to purchase gift cards.
Scammers will reach out through social media accounts and begin a conversation, revealing a lot of information about themselves to gain your trust. They will then ask to move the conversation to another platform like WhatsApp or Telegram. Oftentimes they say they work on an oil rig, are a surgeon for the UN, in the military etc. The scammer begins love bombing and this can last for weeks or months, once they gain your trust and loyalty they ask for money for an emergency “my child is sick in the hospital and I have to pay for my passport” and ask you to send a few hundred dollars. They might even pay it back. Then the requests become more frequent, and the emergencies become more intense. They might ask you to deposit into a Bitcoin ATM, send funds that you receive in the mail to another person, send a wire, or purchase gift cards.
We have been made aware of an increase in mail theft. Please use caution when mailing checks or sharing personal account information. Whenever possible, drop off checks directly inside the post office, use USPS Informed Delivery, or avoid mailing checks altogether.
Electronic payment options such as PayPal, Venmo, and Cash App allow you to send funds securely online.
If you must write checks, use a gel pen to help reduce the risk of alterations. Additionally, consider purchasing higher-security check stock through our check ordering system, Harland Clarke, which offers enhanced features designed to make checks more difficult to alter.
Fraudsters may contact you through social media offering fake job opportunities, payment for using your photo as “artwork,” or gifts of money in the form of an emailed check. They will instruct you to deposit the check using mobile deposit and then ask you to send back part or all of the funds through Cash App, Venmo, Zelle, or PayPal.
These checks are fraudulent and will eventually be returned unpaid. When this happens, the deposited funds will be removed from your account, which may result in a negative balance that you are responsible for repaying.
Scammers may reach out to you with a great “investment opportunity” that sounds too good to be true. It might be an elaborate process of making large withdrawals and depositing them elsewhere, like a Bitcoin ATM, or making a large transfer to cryptocurrency companies. You should not allow anyone online to become your “investment advisor” without meeting them in person from a reputable company. Sensitive accounts such as investment or cryptocurrency accounts should be opened by you, in your name, easily accessible, and should have statements provided to you.
Scammers may use online sites such as Instagram, Facebook Marketplace, or Craigslist to either include fraudulent links for you to click on or post false listings of items for sale. The purpose of these is to gain some type of information or money from you without providing anything in return. Use caution with online links or shopping online and find websites directly instead of clicking on those links.
Scammers will ask that the funds be deposited into a Bitcoin ATM because it’s very difficult to trace. The scammer might not instruct you to go to a Bitcoin ATM until the cash is in hand. Be very cautious, and consider these questions: “Have you ever used a Bitcoin ATM Before? If you put the funds into the Bitcoin ATM, would you still be able to access the funds?” If you answer no to those questions, take a moment to pause, hang up, and reach out to your financial institution on a number you have used previously with success.
Contact Consumers Credit Union first by calling 800.991.2221.
Report the scam to the Federal Trade Commission at ReportFraud.ftc.gov.
File a police report by contacting your local law enforcement agency.
Visit Fraud and scams | Consumer Financial Protection Bureau to find more educational resources and ways to submit information regarding a scam that you or someone you know fell for.
Protect your credit by placing a fraud alert and/or freezing your credit with all three major credit bureaus.
Equifax: 800.525.6285, Experian: 888.397.3742 and TransUnion: 800.680.7289
A scammer sends a check by mail, email, or text and asks you to deposit it. They may request a copy of the deposit receipt showing available funds and then pressure you to send money back using apps like Cash App, Venmo, or Apple Pay.
Although the money may appear in your account at first, the check can later be returned as fraudulent. Any money sent will be removed, leaving the account negative.
Someone contacts you saying they like your profile picture and want to use you as a model or muse for a painting or mural. They often send a bad check and ask for money in return. The scammer can request you to send funds through cash, app, Venmo, and/or apple pay.
A scammer pretends to be a professor, friend, employer, or someone you know and reaches out with a job offer or opportunity. They may even use a real-looking email address to appear legitimate.
Tip: Pause and verify by contacting the person directly using a trusted phone number or email—not the contact information in the message.
- Offers of easy, quick, or guaranteed money
- Requests to deposit a check and send money back
- Requests for deposit receipts or proof of available funds
- Pressure to act quickly or keep the situation secret
- Messages or direct contacts from people you don’t know
- Be cautious when interacting with new or unfamiliar people
- Never share your online banking username or password
- Enable banking security alerts if available
- Ignore messages or emails you believe may be fraudulent
- Do not engage with suspected scammers—they often continue contacting you
- Speak with your parent or guardian or trusted adult before sending any money to someone you don’t know or haven’t met in person
