Scam messages and how to protect yourself!

Scammers are using Text messages, Zelle^® and temporary email addresses like @yopmail to lure victims into sending money, often by posing as legitimate financial institutions or asking for help with "urgent" situations, so be cautious and verify any requests before clicking on links or sending money.

Here's a breakdown of how scams involving Zelle^® and temporary email addresses from @yopmail work and how to protect yourself:

How the Scams Work:

Fake Emails/Texts: Scammers use emails or text messages that appear to be from your bank or a legitimate organization, warning you about fraud or an urgent issue.

• Urgency and Scarcity: They create a sense of urgency, demanding immediate action to "resolve" the problem, often using scare tactics.
• Requests for Zelle^® Payments: They ask you to send money via Zelle^® to a fake recipient, often claiming it's a temporary measure to fix your account or to help someone else.
• Using @yopmail: Scammers may use temporary email addresses like @yopmail to communicate with you, making it difficult to trace them.
• Mule Recruitment: They might recruit you to receive money from other victims and then send it on to them, using you as a "mule" to facilitate their fraud.

How to Protect Yourself:

• Never click a link in a text message or email from someone you don’t know.
• Verify Requests: Never send money or share personal information based on unsolicited emails or texts, especially those claiming to be from your bank or Zelle^®.
• Contact Your Bank Directly: If you receive a suspicious message, contact your bank directly through their official channels to verify the request.
• Be Suspicious of Urgency: Be wary of messages that create a sense of urgency or demand immediate action.
• Don't Fall for Scares: Don't be intimidated by threats or warnings in emails or texts.
• Use Zelle Only with Trusted Contacts: Only use Zelle^® to send money to people you know and trust.
• Report Suspicious Activity: If you believe you've been scammed, report it to the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) and your credit union or bank.
• Be Mindful of Email Addresses: Be wary of emails from addresses that don't look official or contain typos.
• Check for Grammar and Spelling Errors: Poor grammar and spelling can be a sign of a scam.
• Stay calm and do not rush to make a payment. Scammers use urgency to get you to send money without thinking it through. If you receive an unsolicited payment request from a business you believe may be legitimate, hang up, verify the correct contact number, and call the business directly to inquire about the status of your account.

As a reminder, Pinal County Federal Credit Union will never contact you to ask for your personal information. If someone posing as Pinal County Federal Credit Union asks you for information like your social security number, account details, username, password, security passcodes or answers to security questions, DO NOT RESPOND. If you receive a text from us DO NOT CLICK any links. 

If you feel that you have been the victim of fraud, contact Pinal County Federal Credit Union at 520-381-3100 or visit our website to verify how to contact us.

« Return to "News, Blogs & More" Go to main navigation