5 Holiday Fraud Red Flags

The holiday season is one of the busiest, and unfortunately riskiest, time of the year for scams. Fraudsters take advantage of the rush, distractions, and increased online shopping to try to trick people into giving up personal or financial information.

At Family Trust Federal Credit Union, your security is our top priority. Here are a few important tips to keep you and your money safe this holiday season:

Common Scams

1. Fake delivery notifications

You are waiting on packages and suddenly receive a text or email from “Amazon” or “FedEx” saying your package cannot be delivered unless you click a link or pay a fee. Do not click on the link. Go directly to the delivery company’s official website or app to track your package.

2. Charity scams

Scammers set up fake charities or impersonate real ones around the holidays. Always donate through an organization’s verified website. If you are pressured to donate by gift card, wire transfer, or cryptocurrency, it is a scam.

3. Gift card scams

Fraudsters often ask for payment in gift cards during the holiday season. Legitimate businesses and Family Trust will never ask you to pay with gift cards. Be cautious when buying gift cards in-store and check that the protective scratch-off has not been tampered with.

4. Holiday shopping deals that seem too good to be true

Ads for hard-to-find toys, gaming consoles, or electronics may lead to phony scam websites. Research the seller and stick to retailers you know and trust.

5. Fake "Family Trust" calls or texts

Scammers may pretend to be from Family Trust or another trusted company and claim there is “fraud” on your card. They may ask for your PIN, login, or one-time passcode. These are often spoofed calls, where the scammer disguises their number to make it look legitimate. Always hang up and call us directly using a verified phone number. Family Trust will never ask for your PIN, login, or passcodes over the phone, text, or email.

Quick Tips for a Safer Holiday

Shop online only from secure sites that show https:// and a lock icon.

Set up alerts on your Family Trust Visa® card so you are notified quickly of suspicious charges.

Avoid making purchases on public Wi-Fi and use a secure connection.

Keep your devices updated with the latest security updates.

If You Suspect Fraud

If you receive a suspicious call, text, or email, follow these steps:

Do not respond to the message or click any links.

Hang up immediately on suspicious calls.

Verify directly by calling Family Trust at 803-367-4100.

Check your accounts for any unauthorized transactions.

Report the fraud to Family Trust and, if necessary, to local authorities or the Federal Trade Commission.

Monitor your credit regularly for unusual activity.

Update your passwords and security settings if you have shared any account information.

This season should be about celebrating, not stressing over scams. Stay alert, act quickly, and protect yourself from fraud.

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