25 Fraud Tips In 2025

25 Tips from the 1st CCU Fraud Team. 

What is the 1st CCU Fraud Team? 

In 2024 1st CCU, like many other financials, noticed a rapid rise in fraud activity amongst members and local communities. To combat this we assembled a specialized team of experts from various departments across the organization. Their purpose - inform and educate the 1st CCU staff, members, and the local community on trending scams and how to better recognize potential fraud. Since the creation of the group, 1st CCU's Fraud Team has helped save members thousands of dollars and create a knowledgeable staff. 

Here are 25 Tips to help avoid scams and fraud in 2025: 

1. Do not give your Online Banking login information to ANYONE!
   • Scammers will pose as employers and ask for your Online Banking credentials. 
   • Nobody (including 1st CCU) needs to know your login.
2. Be Cautious about unsolicited emails. 
   • Do not click on links from unsolicited emails you weren't expecting.
   • Do not open attachments unless you are certain it is legitimate. 
3. Be cautious about unsolicited text messages. 
   • Do not click links unless you are certain it is legitimate. 
   • Look the number up on Google! Many times common scams can be identified with this. 
4. Keep updated firewall and virus software on your devices. 
5. Use complex passwords. Phrases and other non-identifying words make great passwords that are more secure than short words.
6. Keep an eye on your accounts!
   • Monitor your accounts consisently with Online Banking or Mobile App. 
   • Report suspicious activity right away. 
7. Use 1st CCU as a resource. If you are unsure about something contact us! Our staff is here to help.
8. Use trusted sites when shopping online. 
   • Look for the Secure Lock Symbol. 
   • Don't click website links from a social media ad or an email. Go to your browser and navigate directly to the official website.
9. Don't purchase items through Social Media sites. 
   • Scammers love creating Facebook ads with links to spoof sites.
   • Always use our secure browser to go to a company's website directly, then verify that the deal you saw on social media is legitimate. 
10. Fraudsters typically want you to act quickly. 
    • Don't rush. Stop and think before sharing information or sending money. 
11. Fraudsters will threaten with police action or other penalties if you don't do what they ask.
    • Stop and think. It's likely not something you would get in trouble for. 
12. Family and friends asking for money is a red flag. 
    • Scammers will claim to be a family member or friend in trouble. 
    • Hang up, and call that person directly. 
13. Someone asking to be paid in bitcoin or other non traditional payment is a red flag. 
    • Fraudsters typically want payment that is untraceable.
14. Fraudsters may tell you a "gag order" is in effect. 
    • They don't want you talking to others to avoid suspicion of fraud. 
15. Don't fall for the scam that involves someone claiming to be a 'cryptocurrency teacher' or 'bitcoin professor'. These scammers convince you to wire funds for purchasing bitcoin or other cryptocurrency, then when you attempt to cash out your investment you discover that they won't let you withdraw your funds.
16. Share information and help protect other family and friends that are vulnerable. 
17. If it's too good to be true, it probably is!
18. Become knowledgeable about the latest scam and fraud tactics.  Look for information posted to official government websites such as the Federal Trade Commission, Internet Crime Complaint Center, or the Federal Bureau of Investigation.
19. Know the red flags of a Deepfake Scam. Deepfake scams are AI-generated, and it's incredibly difficult to know when a video or audio recording are AI.  One red flag is the audio not matching the video. Look for unrealistic eyes, fingers, facial features, etc. AI-generated faces can lack symmetry and have inconsistent lighting.
20. Consider having a secret phrase with your loved ones. This is a question or phrase you ask that only the family or friend would know the answer to. Establishing this could help you verify that someone claiming to be your friend is actually a scammer.
21. DO NOT send money to someone you haven't met. 
    1. This includes online dating. 
    2. It also includes people on social media asking you to help with moving money from an account into your account, and then moving it back out to a different account. 
22. Use eAlerts to notify you of activity in your account. 
23. Opt for Debit and Credit Card controls, such as the ability to turn off your card when you aren't using it.
24. Enable two-factor authentication or online purchases or online/mobile banking transactions, when available.
25. If you are being threatened, report everything to the police. Scammers will say anything to convince you to act quickly. They may claim to be the cartel or the mob. Scammers have been known to email pictures of graphic violence to threaten consumers, or they will tell you that they know where you live and they are coming to get you. Hang up and report it.

By staying alert and knowing the red flags to look for, you can significantly reduce the changes of falling victim to scams and fraud. It's also important to utilize robust services on your accounts and protections on your devices. Follow the ABC's...Always. Be. Cautious with your personal and financial details.