Fraud Prevention Hub!
Stay Alert. Stay Informed. Stay Protected Against Fraud.
At Lehigh Valley Educators Credit Union, we believe in the power of education, which is why we are committed to providing our members with the knowledge necessary to protect themselves from the latest scams, schemes, and identity theft threats!
How are you protecting yourself from becoming a victim of fraud? We encourage you to use these educational articles and videos to learn how to better protect yourself from fraud, scams, identity theft, and online security threats. Do not make it easy for fraudsters to obtain your personal information and have access to your financial assets.
Scam of the month!
Scammers and Fraudsters are constantly coming up with new, more convincing ways of targeting their victims.
Check back monthly for articles and videos on different topics.
Note: If you are concerned that you are currently experiencing the type of fraud and scams portrayed in any of these monthly examples, please feel free to visit the fraud resources section for more details on how you can report it.
AI Generated Scams - April 2024
Artificial Intelligence (AI) is the simulation of human intelligence processes by machines (i.e., Computer systems). These processes include learning, reasoning, and self-correction. AI is used for various reasons both good and bad. For example, it can be misused for malicious purposes such as scams.
Most Common Scams:
Phishing emails
AI-driven email scams employ sophisticated tactics, tailoring messages to mimic trusted individuals such as colleagues or relatives. They utilize scraped social media data or hacked information to deceive recipients into transferring funds, clicking harmful links, or divulging sensitive data.
Voice
AI voice cloning elevates phishing scams, enabling scammers to create calls imitating the voice of a trusted individual. With minimal audio input, they can replicate a loved one's voice, exploiting emotions to solicit money or personal information.
Deepfake
Using AI, deepfake technology generates remarkably realistic videos or audio recordings portraying individuals saying or doing things they never did. These span from forged celebrity endorsements to manipulated political statements, exploiting the trust and familiarity we have with public figures to influence opinions or solicit financial support.
Ways to Stay Protected:
Always verify the source before taking an image or video at face value, look at multiple sources to confirm that it’s legit.
Make sure to look for inconsistencies in videos and images such as unnatural blinking, hands, mismatched lip-syncing, and odd lighting.
Continue to stay educated on AI technology and the scams to get better at recognizing potential scams.
Always use trusted sources for news updates.
Sophos Cyber Security Expert, Chester Wisniewski warns about the dangers of advances in Artificial Intelligence (AI). Watch Now!
Helpful Tip:
If you’re unsure that an image or video is real, trace it back to the original source. Make sure to examine who shared it and their motives.
Where to Report?
Federal Trade Commission (FTC) online or call 1-877-438-4338.
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Fraud & Scams
Phishing
Online scam that targets consumers by sending an e-mail that appears to be from a well-known source. This could be an internet service provider, bank, or mortgage company that will ask for you to provide personal identifying information.
How to stay safe from phishing: Watch Now!
Grandparent
Imposter who calls a grandparent pretending to be a grandchild in trouble.
Real-life Story: Watch Now!
IRS Telephone
Scammer tries to call a consumer telling them that they need to immediately pay taxes that are owed.
Watch the video to find out signs it is not the IRS calling you: Watch Now!
Advanced fee/lottery
Victim pays money to someone in anticipation of receiving something of greater value such as a loan, contract, investment, or gift and then receives little or nothing in return.
Real-life Story: Watch Now!
Sweepstakes Recovery
Targets people who have already lost money from a sweepstakes, lottery, or prize scam. They tell you they can help you get your money back or recover the prize you never received for a fee.
Real-life Story: Watch Now!
Phantom Debt Collection
Fake debt collectors who try to trick their victims into paying a debt that doesn’t exist.
Watch how to spot this scam: Watch Now!
Charity
Seek donations for organizations that do little or no work—instead, the money goes to the fake charity's creator.
Watch how you can avoid charity scams: Watch Now!
Romance
RED FLAGS:
- The person you are talking to is far away (In another state or country)
- Professes love quickly
- Needs money for emergency, travel, or medical bills
Real-life Story: Watch Now!
Unemployment Benefit
An imposter who files a claim for unemployment benefits, using the name and personal information of people who have not filed claims. The victims notice this when they get a notice from their state unemployment benefits office or their employer about their application for benefits.
Article: Read Now!
Reshipping
A job that has been posted by scammers to target people who visit job sites, dating sites, and chat rooms. Their goal is to get you hired as quick as possible so they can send you packages at home, discard the original packaging and receipts, repackage the products, and then reship them to an address they give you. They lie to you about getting a paycheck and eventually disconnect the point of contact.
Watch to see how the scenario plays out: Watch Now!
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Identity Theft
What is it?
Identity theft is a serious crime that happens when someone steals your personal information without permission and uses it to commit fraud.
They could use your:
- Name & address
- Credit card or bank account numbers
- Social Security number
- Medical insurance account numbers
What could happen if someone gets ahold of your personal information?
Watch to learn more: Watch Now!
How to protect yourself?
- Shred Documents
- Use Strong passwords
- Identify suspicious activity
- Do not use unsecured WIFI
- Do not give out personal information
- Do not answer unknown calls, texts, and or emails
- THINK before you click on any links or attachments
Social Security Scam
Scammers calling, pretending to be someone from the U.S. Social Security Administration and or another government agency.
Watch to learn more: Watch Now!
Where to report it?
If you are in a situation where you have become a victim to this scam, please report it to the social security administration (800) 269-0271 and the Federal Trade Commission (877) 438-4338.
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Online Security
What is it?
In today’s digital age, many of us are using the internet and devices daily. There are several forms of communication, entertainment, financial, and work-related tasks that are done online. This means that tons of data and sensitive information are constantly being shared on the internet. Online security consists of a range of security tactics for protecting activities and transactions conducted online over the internet. The main reason to have these tactics is to safeguard users from threats such as hacking into computer systems, email addresses, or websites.
Types of Online Security Threats
Malware: Short for "malicious software," malware comes in several forms, including computer viruses, worms, Trojans, and dishonest spyware.
Computer worm: A computer worm is a software program that copies itself from one computer to the next. It does not require human interaction to create these copies and can spread rapidly and in great volume.
Spam: Spam refers to unwanted messages in your email inbox. In some cases, spam can simply include junk mail that advertises goods or services in which you aren’t interested. These are usually considered harmless, but some can include links that will install malicious software on your computer if they are clicked on.
Phishing: Phishing scams are created by cybercriminals attempting to solicit private or sensitive information. They can pose as your bank or web service and lure you into clicking links to verify details like account information or passwords.
How to protect yourself?
Use Strong Passwords:
Having a weak password is an easy way to become a victim of fraud. A weak one can be easily guessed, so starting strong with a strong password for everything is a must.
- Making sure the password is 12 or more characters long
- Including punctuation marks throughout
- Including upper-case and lower-case letters throughout
- Using numbers in exchange for letters e.g., 9 instead of g
- Avoiding memorable keyboard paths, like 123456 or qwerty
Watch to learn more tips on how to protect yourself: Watch Now!
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Fraud Resources
Where do I report fraud?
Federal Trade Commission (FTC) online at IdentityTheft.gov or by phone at 1-877-438-4338.
Consumer Alerts
If you want information on the latest fraud, sign up for FREE consumer alerts using the link below.
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Money SMART Programs
The FDIC's MoneySmart financial education program helps people of all ages enhance their financial skills and create positive banking relationships.
Important Alerts
Beware of E-ZPass Phishing Scam!
A phishing scam has emerged, targeting E-ZPass users. Scammers are sending deceptive texts posing as "Pa Turnpike Toll Services," requesting personal financial information to resolve tolls.
Please DO NOT click any links in unsolicited texts or emails. Instead, use official channels like the PA Turnpike E-ZPass website or the PA Toll Pay app.
If you receive a suspicious message, report it to the FBI's Internet Crime Complaint Center at www.ic3.gov.
Stay safe and vigilant!
Caller ID Spoofing Alert of LVECU’s Phone Number
Some members have recently reported receiving phone calls that appeared to be from LVECU’s phone number of 610-820-0145 due to a caller ID spoofing scam. The callers claim to be from our fraud department and are asking members to verify information such as address, all or part of your social security number, debit or credit card information, online banking credentials or for access to your electronic devices such as a phone or computer. They may also tell you that they will send a link through a text message for you to verify further information.
What is Caller ID Spoofing?
When a caller uses technology to change the information that is sent to your caller ID display to conceal their identity. They often use neighbor spoofing so it appears that an incoming call is coming from a local number or spoof a number from a company or a government agency that you may already know and trust. If you answer, they use scam scripts to try to steal your money or valuable personal information, which can be used in fraudulent activity.
Prevent Fraud:
Remember, we will never call, email, or text you to ask for personal or financial information, such as:
Social security number
Account number
Card number or PIN
Online banking credentials
DO NOT provide any sensitive personal information via email, text or to unsolicited callers.
If you receive such a call, hang up and call the credit union directly.
Credit & Debit Card Contact Center Scam
Some Members have been receiving ‘Spoofed’ phone calls which claim to be from our Credit & Debit Card Contact Center. Below are some tips about what you SHOULD expect when contacted by our fraud department. This applies to both Credit & Debit Cards.
A text alert from us warning of suspicious activity on your card will NEVER include a link to be clicked. Never click on a link in a text message that is supposedly from us. A valid notification will provide information about the suspect transaction and ask the cardholder to reply to the text message with answers such as ‘yes’, ‘no’, ‘help’, or ‘stop’. It will NEVER include a link.
A text alert from us will always be from a 5-digit number and NOT a 10-digit number resembling a phone number.
A phone call from our institution’s automated dialer will only include a request for your zip code, and no other personal information unless you confirm that a transaction is fraudulent. Only then will you be transferred to an agent who will ask questions to confirm that you are the actual cardholder before going through your transactions with you. If at any point you are uncertain about questions being asked or the call itself, hang up and call us directly. If a call is received claiming to be our call center and asking to verify transactions, no information should have to be provided other than your zip code, and a ‘yes’ or ‘no’ to the transaction provided.
We will NEVER ask you for your PIN or the 3-digit security code on the back of your card. DO NOT give them out to anyone, no matter what they say. Hang up and call us directly. Fraudsters will often ask cardholders to verify fake transactions. When the cardholder says no, they did not perform those transactions, the fraudster then says that their card will be blocked, a new card will be issued, and that they need the card’s PIN to put it on the new card. Many people believe this and provide their PIN. Also, if you provide someone with the 3-digit CV2 code on the back of the card, it will allow a fraudster to conduct card-not-present transactions.
Regularly check your account online to see if there are any suspicious transactions that have occurred, but especially if you are unsure about a call or text message you’ve received. If anything looks amiss, call LVECU directly for assistance.
Credit Card holders should use the SecurLOCK Equip App to monitor transactions.
Debit Card Holders should use the CardValet App to monitor transactions.
Please be advised - If you receive a voice or a text message from the call center and are unsure about responding to it, call LVECU directly for assistance.
FTC Fake Call Scam
Scammers have been calling, pretending to be people from the FTC. While the names they use might be real, they’re actually scammers — some of them hoping to trick you into thinking they’re an FTC Commissioner. But this is not the case. The FTC will never call you to demand money, threaten you with arrest, or promise you a prize. DO NOT respond to these calls or give any of your personal information.