Beware of These Common Types of Online Scams

By Hannah Nagos, AVP/Business Development
Southwest Heritage Credit Union

Texting Scams

Text messages from a unknown number saying there’s a problem with your Amazon, Apple, Netflix, bank, or cell phone account, or that you’ve won a great prize or gift card are a popular scam. Never click the link!

Online Shopping Scams

Online shopping are when fraudsters even use fake company logos, false caller ID numbers and other tricks to impersonate legitimate companies to gain your trust to collect your personal information.  A newest version of the scam is when fraudsters set up fake online stores on social media platforms such as Facebook.  Always search for reviews online before purchasing.    

Lottery or Prize Scams

Lottery scams are when scamsters pose as a representative of a lottery company such as Publisher’s Clearing House and try to trick you into paying fees or taxes to receive your prize.  Many times the scammer asks you to pay “taxes” or “processing fees” in order to claim you prize.  Once they take your money it is almost impossible to get back and there is no prize.

Tech Support Scams

Tech Support scams are when scamsters pretend to be technical support representatives. The scammers call, send you emails, or direct you to a fake website where they try to trick you into providing your sensitive information.

Loan Scams

A loan scam is a loan that’s offered under false pretenses. The scammer often makes a big promises they NEVER deliver on. Loan scammers even use fake company logos, false caller ID numbers and other tricks to impersonate legitimate agencies to gain your trust.

Man holding a red flag and sign that says "watch out for red flags".

Red Flags

  • No one should ask you to pay for a prize or ask you to lie to your Credit Union “to protect yourself” in regards to wires and checks.
  • No one should ever ask for your online banking information in order to log into your account to “fund your loan”.
  • No one should ever ask for your online banking login or passwords!

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