Scammers are always coming up with new ways to trick people, but no matter the scam, there are common trends you should be aware of to keep your money and personal information safe.
A scammer might call or text you, impersonating someone from Logix, a collection agency, or another person or company you would be inclined to trust. Common tactics include:
- Telling you there is fraud on your account and the only way to stop it is to send yourself money.
- Creating a sense of urgency by threatening a negative action like a utility service being disconnected or some type of legal action unless you make a payment immediately.
- Sending a text message or email with a link that at first glance looks like a trusted website but a closer look shows spelling errors. The body of the message may also contain grammatical mistakes.
- Listing a house for rent and requesting a security deposit without allowing you to see the property first.
- Creating a fake online persona, embarking on a relationship, and asking for money before ever meeting face-to-face. This is called a Romance Scam and after they get the money, they'll disappear.
Tips to Avoid Becoming a Victim
- Only use digital payment methods like Zelle® to pay those you know and trust.
- 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.
- Never click a link in a text message or email from someone you don’t know.
- When you’re looking to buy or sell goods online, if something seems too good to be true, it probably is.
Visit your SmartLab for more safety tips.
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*Please contact Logix at (800) 328-5328 or visit www.lfcu.com if you have any questions about this topic or would like to consider opening an account.
Zelle® and the Zelle® related marks are wholly owned by Early Warning Services, LLC and are used herein under license.
