Behind the Vault

Unfortunately, there are people who will try to take advantage of you and your hard-earned money. In this blog post, let’s dive into some of the most popular scams out there so that you can protect yourself.

Government Imposter Scams

So, you get a call from "IRS" or "Social Security," and they're all about urgency. They want you to spill the beans on your personal info to settle some "debt" or for you to pay to receive “federal funds.” Their tactic? Playing the intimidation card—threats of losing your home, incrimination, or losing out on Social Security benefits.

Remember – Real government agencies will notify you by US mail first, not through texts or emails. Only pick up the phone if you're already dealing with them about a known issue.

Banking Phishing Scams

Phishing - sounds fishy, right? These scammers are basically copycats, sending emails that look like they're from your financial institution, stating that your account was hacked, or asking to verify your login information. They might even throw in a sneaky link or a spoofed number to make it look like it’s coming from your financial institution.

Also – remember that Financial institutions, like government agencies, will never call, email, text, or message you via social media asking for your personal information. Don’t click these links or call the phone numbers in these messages. If you’re unsure, contact your financial institution directly to see if the message is authentic.

Charity Scams

When disaster strikes, people are quick to take action– but unfortunately, so are the scammers. They might try with emails, texts, calls, and social posts asking for money. Because people are more empathetic and willing to help in times of great need, they are less likely to research the charities requesting money – some of which  could be fake.

A quick tip: Real charities won't immediately pressure you into giving cash, gift cards, or crypto. Trustworthy organizations understand you need time to decide. Stick with trackable payments like cards or checks.

Amazon Scams

Amazon shoppers, listen up. Scammers might call, text, or slide into your social media inbox about a recent pricey purchase you made. They want you to hit a link or dial a number to "cancel" that order – but it's really about trying to steal personal info.

Instead, go straight to their website to check out any concerns about your purchases.

Quick tips to protect yourself:

Get virus protection on your devices.

Dodge those sketchy emails and texts from strangers.

Verify company emails by visiting their website or calling them directly, not using links.

Remember, banks won't ask for your personal info immediately.

Before donating, take a look at a charity’s background on BBB or Charity Navigator.

Report scams to FTC at FTC.gov/complaint/.

We've got your back. As a member, your safety is our priority. Use the chat feature on familytrust.org or visit us at a branch if you are concerned about a possible scam.