The FTC has valuable information about scams and scam prevention. It’s a great resource to have in your security toolbox. by Alvaro Puig, Consumer Education Specialist: December 14, 2023: When you order something online, you might get several emails or text messages about your order: Confirming your order. Telling you it shipped. Saying it’s out […]
Often we let brushes with fraud go unreported. We see them, but we haven’t lost any money so they become insignificant in our lives. But reporting scam and fraud events, if reported by everyone, can really help put scammers in jail or shut them down. When investigations are underway, your story could be the piece […]
Voice cloning technologies can generate a near-perfect voice clone based on a short audio clip or snippet of someone’s voice. The technology has potential to help people—for example, people who’ve lost their ability to speak, offering them a powerful and valuable means of communication. But, in the wrong hands, voice cloning technologies can do harm. […]
Did you know that scammers often request payment with a gift card? Stop and think before you buy gift cards as a payment for a product or service. Once you hand over a gift card, the funds are gone and you won’t be able to get them back. Request for gift cards as payments should […]
Another successful Rage Against Scams workshop at the Sierra Vista Library. We love providing people with insight into scams and fraud and concrete ways to protect themselves. […]
There is a scam trying to scare people into believing that contactless cards are less secure than a chip card. This scam offers a “free” sleeve to put your contactless cards into to “protect” your card. This scam offers the sleeve for “free” but charges a $17 – $40 shipping/handling fee. Please remember that your […]
SCAM ALERT: Recently, we have been made aware of postcards being mailed to our members referring to a recently closed mortgage you may have with ASCU. The postcard asks you to call a phone number to discuss the matter. *These postcards are not from American Southwest Credit Union*. If you receive a postcard like this, […]
SouSou savings clubs are becoming more and more common in the United States. But beware! Many scammers are capitalizing on them to steal money, instead of using them for their original intent. What is a SouSou Savings Club? It is a club, usually among close family members or close friends, used to save for larger […]
Fishing and Phishing are two very different things. One is thought of as being a relaxing or fun past time and the other, phishing, is used to “fish” for your information so that a criminal can then use that information to commit a crime against you such as stealing your money or identity. Here are […]
Just what you don’t need… an unexpected auto repair and an auto repair scam. Sometimes people posing as mechanics seem knowledgeable and honest, but they really aren’t. Here are some tips from the Arizona Attorney General’s Office to help you find a reputable auto mechanic and avoid scams both for buying a car and for […]
Scams involving professional movers rarely enters our minds when we are preparing for a big move. But they do happen. Here are some tips from the Arizona Attorney General’s Office to help you avoid moving scams. […]
Work from home scams are on the rise. Find out how to protect yourself! Remember you can report scams to www.ftc.gov/complaint […]
Although getting mail in your physical mailbox is less common now, the chances of encountering a scam lottery or scam sweepstakes either in your US Mail box or in your digital mailbox is still high. Scammers will also contact you by phone, text and pop-up windows on your computer. Here are some tips from the […]
Tax season means a paperwork blizzard. Often, someone loses a copy of an important document and needs it to be re-issued. Naturally, everyone’s too busy to verify the authenticity of each request. That’s what scammers are counting on with a recent ploy targeting people who prepare tax forms. In this scheme, the scammer sends an […]
The FTC is alerting all consumers that scams involving COVID-19 are on the rise. They have created an interactive gave for people to do on Facebook. Find the game and play at: https://www.consumer.ftc.gov/blog/2020/03/now-more-ever-spot-scams-ftcscambingo […]
American Southwest Credit Union wants to remind everyone to beware of scams involving COVID-19. Scammers are already out there trying to pass off fake assistance checks from the government. During the process, these scammers ask people to pay a fee, in advance, to receive a bogus assistance check. Never pay for a prize or assistance. […]
Lottery Scams bombard our mail, email, pop-up windows on our computers, and our internet searches. Just when you think “they” (whoever “they” are) have given up, another one lands in your in-box. The idea behind the lottery scam is that you receive an email, card, letter, brochure, pop-up, or phone call notifying you that you […]
More and more scammers are out there with a story to trick you. Be aware of the latest scams and what to do about them. Check on the Arizona Attorney General’s Office website for up to date information on the latest scams, how to report them and what you should do about them. Practice PSST. […]
“Grandma? Is that you?” “What’s the matter, honey?” “Grandma, you gotta help me! They’re going to arrest me if I don’t pay the fine – and I lost my wallet! I don’t have a penny on me or any ID. Can you wire me some money?” Does this sound like a phone call that can […]
Keep your credit cards safe. Store your cards in a secure wallet or purse. After making a purchase, immediately return your card to that place. Don’t allow websites to “remember” your card number. Only let secure payment portals, like GooglePay and PayPal, remember your card number. An even better practice is to never check the […]