ALERT

Stay Safe From Scammers by Getting to Know Some of the Most Common Scams

Order Confirmation Scams: These unexpected calls/texts/ emails often refer to an unauthorized purchase and ask you to act urgently or cancel the purchase. These scammers try to convince you to provide payment or bank account information, install software on your computer/device, or purchase gift cards.

Tech Support Scams: Scammers create fake websites claiming to provide tech support for your devices. Customers who land on these pages are lured to contact the scammer and fall prey to their schemes.

Remember to be wary of false urgency. Scammers may create a sense of urgency to persuade you to do what they're asking. Be careful whenever someone tries to convince you that you must act immediately. Never pay over the phone. For more information on how to continue to protect yourself against fraud, please visit the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB) website on fraud and scams.

People’s Credit Union will never call to ask you to withdraw funds from your account and send us bitcoin or other digital currencies. If you believe

Avoid Online Shopping Scams:

 Watch for red flags

Pressure to purchase immediately, rude or pushy language, or unusually specific ways to pay, such as gift cards, crypto, or payment apps, are red flags. Pay with a credit card if you don’t know the seller.

 Know who you’re buying from

Check out the seller before making your purchase — remember, anyone can set up an online shop or social ad. Do an online search for information or complaints, and be sure the seller is legitimate.

 Make sure it’s the real deal.

Be wary of hidden costs like shipping, insurance, special handling, fake COVID-related charges, or product shortagerelated fees.

 Pause before you buy

If an online deal seems too good to be true, take a moment to talk to a trusted friend or family member before you decide to buy.

Tips to Protect your Personal In f ormation

For years, we’ve been warned not to share too much personal information with people we meet online. Now you can shop for any product online, manage your finances with online banking services, and chat with friends and strangers on social media platforms. While you enjoy all the conveniences of modern technology, are you paying attention to how it can be used against you? Let’s look at ways that you can protect your personal information.

Guard Your Login Credentials

If cybercriminals steal your login credentials, they can access your accounts and find your personal or professional information. Follow these tips to protect your accounts:

•Do not enter your login credentials unless you know that a website or app is secure.

•Use unique passwords for each of your accounts. A password manager can help you keep track of all your passwords, and multi-factor authentication (MFA) can add another layer of security.

•Use passwords and update the security software for all your

LINK devices. In addition to computers and smartphones, several other devices can connect to the internet. If you don’t protect these devices, they can be vulnerable to hacking, too.

Avoid Oversharing on Social Media

Social media can be used to update friends and family about your life, but cybercriminals can also use your accounts as an easy source of information. Follow these tips when using social media: •Guard your personal identifiable information (PII) by limiting what information you share online.

•Check your privacy settings to minimize the information that the public can view, mainly use your real name or the same alias across multiple websites. Cybercriminals can scour the internet for any information associated with your name or accounts.

• Watch out for subtle methods of information gathering, such as quizzes that ask for personal details like your mother’s maiden name or your date of birth. Over time, cybercriminals could collect enough details to hack your accounts or steal your identity.