How to Avoid Scams and Keep Your Information Safe!

National Slam the Scam Day is March 6, 2025!

Want to know how to avoid scams and keep your information safe? Scammers are creative and have many ways to try to scam you, to get access to your money, or to find out valuable personal information, such as your Social Security number. Typical scams may use emails, phone calls, texts and now even bad QR codes to gain access to your information. You may think this could never happen to you, but what if it does? What would you do?

Kansas City Credit Union is here to keep you informed! Let’s go over what you can do today to keep your information safe, how to avoid scams by spotting them, and what do to if you become the victim of a scam.

There are Four Signs of a Scam

• Scammers pretend to be from an organization that you know
  • Scammers often pretend to be from the government or a business you are familiar with. They even use names like the Social Security Administration, IRS or your local utility company. They can change the name of your caller ID to seem real. If these places call you, be skeptical about giving them information over the phone. If you are in doubt, hang up and contact the organization directly. If you receive a text that you suspect is spam, delete and report it as spam or junk. Do not click on any links!
• Scammers say there is a problem or a prize
  • Scammers often say you owe money, are in trouble with the government or have won a prize, but need to pay a fee to receive your prize.
• Scammers pressure you to act immediately
  • Scammers want you to act quickly before you have time to think about what they are asking for, and may even threaten you if you don’t act quickly.
• Scammers tell you to pay in a specific way
  • Scammers sometimes ask you to send through wire transfers, pay with cryptocurrency, put money on gift cards, or someone will ask to send you a fake check, have you to deposit it, and then give them the money.

Tips for Keeping Your Information Safe

• Keep your contact information up-to-date on all accounts.
• Create strong, unique, and not easily guessed passwords – don’t use the same password for multiple accounts.
• Run security and system updates on all devices, as needed.
• Enable biometrics.
• Know the typical red flags, as stated above.
• Know who has access to your accounts.
• If you feel you’ve possibly been scammed, report it as soon as possible!
  • Click Here to report a scam event to the Social Security Administration.
  • Click Here to report a scam event to the IRS.
  • Report all instances of a possible scam or fraud to the FTC.

What Can You Do to Avoid a Scam?

• Block unwanted calls and texts.
• If you aren’t expecting to give someone your personal information, then don’t.
• Resist the pressure to act quickly – take your time and think twice before handing over your information.
• Stop and talk to someone you trust before giving out any information.

If you think you have encountered or been a victim of a possible scam, please report it to the appropriate agencies above, and to the Kansas City Credit Union, or another trusted financial institution, if you feel your information has been compromised.

Also, pass along this information to any friends and family who may have been contacted or compromised. Sharing and educating others on how to protect themselves is beneficial for us all!