From robocalls promising stimulus money faster to text messages prompting you to pay a bill by gift card or wire, scammers are targeting consumers anywhere they can. COVID-19 scams like these are designed to take your money or trick you into divulging personal information.
Other types of COVID-19 related scams include:
- Contact tracing text message scams
- The Federal Trade Commission (FTC} received more than 18,000 complaints of COVID-19 fraud as of mid-April, but you can take steps to prevent fraud from damaging your finances.
Tips to Protect Yourself
Keep in mind that the IRS will not contact you by phone, email, text message, or social media about your individual stimulus payment. Any messages that demand immediate action to secure your money should set off alarm bells.
Here are other ways to protect yourself:
- Do not give out your personal information, including banking information or Social Security number to anyone you do not know. C1st will never contact you by phone, text or email to ask for your account information or passwords.
- Watch for fake websites, and go directly to trusted URLs, such as irs.gov, instead of using links sent to you.
- Use caution with all links and attachments; hover over links before clicking to see where they go.
Contact us right away at 866.360.5370 if you suspect fraud on any of your C1st Credit Union accounts.
You can report other types of fraud online through the FTC.
See the C1st News/Blog for more information on COVID-19 scams.