Phishing is a type of scam where criminals impersonate trusted organizations, like banks, government agencies, or well-known companies, to trick you into revealing personal or financial information.

These attacks often come in the form of:
– Emails
– Text messages (SMS, “smishing”)
– Phone calls (“vishing”)
– Fake websites or pop-ups

Phishing messages often urge you to take quick action, click a link, log in, provide account info, or confirm a charge you didn’t make.

Look for these red flags:

Protect Yourself from Phishing

– Never share personal information in response to unexpected messages.
– Use strong, unique passwords and update them regularly.
– Enable two-factor authentication (2FA).
– Keep your browser and security software up to date.
– Always type the bank’s URL directly into your browser—never follow a link from a message.
– Bookmark the bank’s official login page for easy, safe access.

Spoofing is when a scammer disguises their identity to appear as a trusted source, like your bank, a government agency, or even a contact in your phone. Their goal is to trick you into trusting them so you’ll share personal information or click malicious links.

They can spoof:
– Phone numbers (caller ID spoofing)
– Email addresses
– Text messages
– Websites (URL spoofing)

Spoofing can make fraud attempts look like they’re coming from the bank, even though they’re not.

Look for these red flags:

Caller ID Doesn’t Match Reality	You get a call from your bank, but something feels off
Email Display Name ≠ Actual Address	Hover over the name to reveal the real email
Links Look Wrong	Hover over them, do they match the bank’s real domain?
Asking for Personal Info	Your bank will never ask for PINs, full passwords, or SSNs
Poor Grammar or Formatting	These are often signs of a fake message or site
Too Urgent or Too Good to Be True	“You’ve won!” or “Immediate action required” = red flags

Protect Yourself from Spoofing

– Hang up and call your bank back using the number on your card or the website
– Type URLs manually into your browser, not from emails/texts
– Use multi-factor authentication for your accounts
– Bookmark your bank’s real website for quick, safe access
– Report suspicious messages to the bank

Check fraud involves the illegal use of checks to steal money from an individual or business. Fraudsters may forge, alter, steal, or counterfeit checks to trick banks into processing illegitimate transactions.

Even in a digital world, check fraud is still a major threat, especially for seniors, small businesses, and anyone who sends or receives paper checks.

Common Types of Check Fraud:

Stolen Checks
Fraudsters steal checks from mailboxes, businesses, or individuals and either cash them or alter them for larger amounts.

Check Washing
The fraudster uses chemicals to erase information (like the payee and amount) from a legitimate check, then rewrites it with their own name and a higher amount.

Counterfeit Checks
Fake checks are created using real account numbers, stolen check templates, or computer programs that replicate check designs.

Altered Checks
The check is genuine, but the payee name or dollar amount is changed after the check has been written.

Overpayment Scams
You’re sent a check for more than you’re owed and asked to “refund” the difference, but the original check is fake and bounces after you send real money.

Look for these red flags:

Protect Yourself from Check Fraud

When Writing Checks:
– Use permanent ink (preferably black gel ink; more resistant to washing)
– Fill out checks completely and clearly
– Cross out blank spaces on the check
– Use the full name of the recipient, no nicknames or abbreviations
– Drop checks inside the post office, not in unsecured mailboxes
– Consider switching to online bill pay for recurring or large payments

When Receiving Checks:
– Be suspicious of overpayments or checks from unknown sources
– Wait for checks to clear fully before spending any of the funds (some checks may take up to 10 business days to bounce)
– Contact the issuing bank to verify the check
– Don’t accept checks from buyers who won’t meet in person

Elder fraud is a crime that targets older adults, often by exploiting trust, confusion, isolation, or unfamiliarity with technology. Scammers may pose as family members, government officials, tech support, or even bank representatives, all to steal money or personal information.

Look for these red flags:

Protect Yourself from Elder Fraud

– Pause before sending money; call a trusted family member or your bank
– Hang up on suspicious calls, especially those asking for urgent payments
– Use strong passwords and don’t share login info
– Verify before trusting; call organizations directly using numbers you trust
– Enroll in account alerts to track unusual activity
– Don’t send money or gift cards to someone you haven’t met in person
– Don’t allow remote access to your computer unless you initiated contact with verified support
– Don’t give personal info to unsolicited callers, emails, or messages

In an impersonation scam, fraudsters pretend to be someone you trust, your bank, a government agency, a utility company, or even a family member, to trick you into sending money or giving away personal information.

These scammers use phone calls, texts, emails, and even social media to fool you into thinking the request is real.

Look for these red flags:

Protect Yourself from Elder Fraud

– Hang up and call the organization directly using a verified number
– Pause before acting on any urgent request
– Verify identity; ask questions only the real person would know
– Use multi-factor authentication on all accounts
– Sign up for account alerts to monitor activity
– Don’t trust the caller ID — it can be faked (spoofed)
– Don’t share personal or financial information with unverified contacts
– Don’t click on links or open attachments from unexpected messages
– Don’t pay someone who demands secrecy

Identity theft happens when someone steals your personal information, like your Social Security number, banking details, or login credentials, and uses it to commit fraud in your name.

This can include:
– Opening credit cards or loans
– Accessing your bank accounts
– Filing fake tax returns
– Making purchases or draining your funds

Once your identity is stolen, the damage can take months (or years) to repair: prevention is your best protection.

Look for these red flags:

Phishing Scams	Fake emails or texts trick you into sharing login info
Data Breaches	Your info is exposed when a company’s system is hacked
Mail Theft	Thieves steal bank statements, pre-approved offers, or checks
Skimming	Devices at ATMs or gas pumps capture your card info
Public Wi-Fi	Hackers steal data on unsecured networks
Social Engineering	Scammers trick or manipulate you into revealing private details

 

Protect Yourself from Identity Theft

– Use strong, unique passwords
– Never share personal info over email, phone, or text
– Shred sensitive mail before discarding it
– Monitor your accounts and sign up for alerts
– Limit what you carry, don’t keep your Social Security card in your wallet
– Review your credit report regularly at AnnualCreditReport.com
– Enable multi-factor authentication (MFA)
– Set up credit freezes or fraud alerts with the credit bureaus
– Use secure connections (HTTPS) and avoid public Wi-Fi for financial activity

A romance scam happens when a fraudster pretends to build a romantic relationship, usually online, in order to gain your trust and steal your money. Scammers often use dating apps, social media, or even email to target victims. They’ll seem kind, caring, and emotionally invested, but it’s all part of a long con.

Look for these red flags:

Protect Yourself from Romance Scams

– Slow down, scammers create false urgency
– Reverse image search their photos to check for fakes
– Talk to someone you trust before sending money
– Report suspicious profiles on dating apps and social media
– Set strong privacy settings on your accounts
– Don’t send money to someone you haven’t met in person
– Don’t share personal info, banking details, or photos that could be used for blackmail
– Don’t cash a check or forward money for someone you met online
– Don’t ignore gut feelings — if something feels off, it probably is