If you are like many, no matter how much we learn about text scams, when you get the one that says, for example: “Credit Union Alert: Did you attempt a wire transfer of $4,690.00? Reply YES or NO” my stomach drops, my adrenaline surges, as I scramble to deny the transaction.
But will denying the transaction actually leave me vulnerable to fraud? As text scams become more sophisticated, it is getting increasingly difficult to identify the “real” from the “fake”.
Follow these important tips to help protect yourself from falling victim to text message scams:
- Never click on links or respond to unexpected texts. If you think the text might be legitimate, contact the credit union or other company using a phone number or website you know is real. Never use the contact information provided in the text message.
- Filter unwanted texts. Your phone may have an option to filter and block spam or messages from unknown senders.
- Never give personal or financial information in response to a request that you aren’t expecting. Honest organizations won’t ask for personal information, such as Social Security number, credit union account information, or credit card numbers.
- Stop and talk to someone you trust. Before you do anything else, tell someone — a friend, a family member, a neighbor — about the text. Talking about it could give you time to decide it’s a scam. Scammers will try to get you to act right away. Don’t.
If you do encounter an issue, be sure to contact us so we can assist you.