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Common Scams
BBB Scam Tracker
Stay informed on the latest scams with the Better Business Bureau's® (BBB) Scam Tracker.
Discover current scams reported by locals to help you stay vigilant and recognize the tactics used by scammers. These firsthand accounts come from individuals who have encountered fraud and aim to help others steer clear of similar experiences.
Romance Scams
A romance scam is when you meet someone online and begin an online romance. Shortly after connecting, they begin asking for money for various reasons.
Here are some examples of what they could be asking for
- Asking for money to help with an emergency
- Financial help paying for a trip, airline ticket, hotel stay, or rental car
- Help pay for bills, or assistance cashing a check for them
- Help with collecting pay or retirement money
- They may even ask you to help them move or obtain items like gold
If you are concerned you were involved in a romance scam, give us a call. We are here to help you.
719.593.8600 | 800.223.1983
Refund or Overpayment Scams
A scam where you are contacted by someone claiming to be from a large technology company, virus software vendor, or online retailers.
Signs of This Scam
- You are informed they have increased the fee, refunded, or overpaid you for a subscription or service they have already performed.
- Ask you to download a program or software to process the refund.
- You may be asked to enter the refund amount.
- The refunds could be thousands of dollars above what they are claiming you owe for this subscription or service.
- The scammers will say you have stolen the funds, someone will lose their job or even tell you your accounts could be closed.
- Funds are asked to be returned via cash, check or wire transfer.
Steps to Take
- Review your recent account history within online and mobile banking from another device or contact us if you're unsure of recent activity in your accounts.
- Contact the credit union to review the activity. Often funds are moved between your own accounts.
Once the money is gone, recovering this money is not a guarantee. Be sure to verify what this person is saying about receiving a refund before sending any money.
Threats of Prosecution or Identity Theft
More and more scams are being reported where individuals are being contacted about crimes they have not committed. People report being contacted by government agencies stating they missed court, drug charges are going to be pressed against them, and many other serious charges could be pressed against them.
Indications of this scam include
- Contact made by a government agency stating serious charges are going to be pressed against you.
- Reports accounts and activity in your name to include drug charges or suspicious account activity.
- You are told you owe funds related to a court date.
- To resolve this issue, you can pay fines in the form of cash or gift cards.
- You may be told your account will be ceased and you need to withdrawal fund to protect your funds from seizure.
- They could tell you the credit union will close your accounts if they find out any of the charges and ask you to lie.
Keep in mind government agencies will not call you about any potential charges against you. They will also not ask you to pay them in cash, deposit funds into a Bitcoin ATM or pay them in gift cards.
Zelle® Scams
Be aware of emails and text messages
We will never send you a link by text or email asking you for your account number, online banking password, secure access code, or PIN.
If you have replied to or clicked on a link from a text message or email contact us as soon as possible.
Other Common Scams
Below you will find several other scams to stay aware of. Always double-check, do your research, and ask questions.
Work-at-Home Scam
A work-at-home opportunity for mystery shopping, stuffing envelopes, processing payments, purchasing supplies for your 'new job', or you have been requested to send advance pay for services not yet performed.
Lottery Scam
You've received a letter or email indicating you won the lottery! However, you must pay taxes or a fee up front in order to receive your winnings. Have you recently entered a sweepstakes or lottery? Was this sweepstakes or lottery outside the United States? If you are unsure about this letter or email, contact us and we will be happy to assist you.
Inheritance Scam
You receive a letter or email indicating a relative has passed away and in order to receive your inheritance, you need to pay fees, taxes, or legal fees upfront. Another common scam is a stranger asking you to pay a small fee so they can move their inheritance to a bank in the United States, with the promise of receiving a small portion of their inheritance in return.
Online Acquaintance Scam
A new friendship created online, or an old acquaintance is requesting your assistance to receive money. They may ask you to cash a check or provide your personal login information to deposit checks or transfer funds into your checking account because they are unable to receive money in their own account. Be sure to verify who they are and their request before assisting them.
Unexplained Check/Online Marketplace Scam
You receive a check in the mail unexpectedly, or an anticipated check is greater than agreed upon. Do not deposit the check! Let us review the check for you to ensure it's valid before you deposit it.
Social Security Benefit Suspension Scam
Those receiving social security benefits have received letters through the U.S. Mail stating their payments will be suspended or discontinued unless they call a phone number referenced in the letter. Scammers are then misleading beneficiaries into providing personal information or payment through retail gift cards, wire transfers, internet currency such as bitcoin or cryptocurrency, or by mailing cash, to maintain regular benefit payments. Remember, the Social Security Administration will never threaten you, promise to increase your benefits if you pay them, or ask for payment via gift card, wire transfer, or internet currency such as Bitcoin or cryptocurrency.
Emergency Scam
A "relative" contacts you stating they have a medical or other emergency and need money right away. They will address you as Dad, Grandma, Uncle, etc. but the information they provide on where to send the funds is an individual you do not know. Before helping, verify this person's information to ensure you are speaking to an actual relative and not somebody pretending to be related to you. If the location, name of the person, or their story doesn't seem right, give us a call and we would be happy to assist you.
Payments made by gift cards
Scammers often request payments be made via gift card. This typically happens when making an online purchase on an unfamiliar website, in an online romance, and refund or overpayment scams. If you are unsure about a payment request, contact us and we will be happy to assist.
One Phone Call Could Save You Thousands
Be cautious and verify their identity, links in emails, text messages, and phone calls. If you need assistance, we are ready and available to help.