Data breaches are becoming more and more common these days. You hear about them in the news all the time. So you might be wondering: what exactly is a data breach? Read more.

Visit each credit bureau’s site to get more information about placing a security freeze on your credit report.

Equifax: Freeze Your Equifax Credit Report 
Experian: Freeze Your Experian Credit Report
TransUnion: Freeze Your TransUnion Credit Report

Here’s what you need to know about how to thaw a credit freeze.

Beware these common scams: Romance, Phishing, SMiShing, and Vishing.

For the latest information, please visit Federal Trade Commission Consumer Advice

The elderly are the fastest growing segment of our society and they are also an important part of our country’s economy.

What to Look For and How to Protect Yourself and Your Family

For information on preparing, responding and mitigating cybersecurity and cyberattacks, please visit the Cybersecurity & Infrastructure Security Agency.

Scammers are constantly finding new ways to trick people into giving away their money and personal information. They may contact you by phone, text, email, social media, or even pretend to be someone you know. 

The good news? Knowing what to look for can help you recognize a scam before it happens. Here are six common warning signs to watch for. 

6 Red Flags That Could Signal a Scam

1. Unexpected Calls, Texts, or Emails – Be cautious of unexpected messages about unfamiliar charges, invoices, deliveries, account problems, or suspicious activity. Scammers may pretend to represent your financial institution, a government agency, a delivery company, or another business you recognize.  Remember, even if the phone number or email look legitimate, it could be fake. Caller ID and email addresses can be manipulated.
2. Everything is Urgent – Scammers don’t want you to have time to think. They may claim your account is at risk, a payment is overdue, a loved one is in trouble, or an opportunity will disappear unless you act immediately. Pressure, fear, and urgency are common tactics used to get you to make decisions without verifying the information. 
3. Unusual Payment Requests –   Be suspicious if someone insists you pay using gift cards, cryptocurrency, wire transfers, or payment apps such as Zelle, Venmo, or Cash App. Scammers often prefer these payment methods because transactions can be difficult to reverse. Be especially cautious if someone asks you to move money to a different account to keep it “safe”.
4. Requests for Personal Information or Security Codes – Never share your online banking password, PIN, or one-time security code with someone who contacts you unexpectedly. Scammers may claim they need this information to verify your identity, stop fraud, or protect your account. A legitimate financial institution will not ask you to disclose your online banking password or one-time security code to resolve an unexpected security issue. 
5. Instructions to Keep Secrets or Move Your Money – A scammer may tell you not to discuss the situation with family members, your financial institution, or anyone else. They may even coach you on what to say if someone questions a withdrawal or transfer. Be especially cautious if someone claiming to be from your financial institution, law enforcement, or the government instructs you to withdraw cash, transfer funds, or send money to another account. 
6. Emotional Pressure or Too-Good-To-Be-True Offers – Scammers know how to play on emotions. They may pretend to be a family member in an emergency, develop a romantic relationship online, offer an unexpected prize, or promise an investment with unusually high returns. If someone asks you for money because of an emergency, an online relationship, or an opportunity that sounds too good to be true, take time to verify the situation before sending anything. 

What Should You Do If You Suspect a Scam:

STOP. Don’t rush into anything. If something doesn’t feel right, pause before responding, clicking a link, sharing information, or sending money. Scammers rely on getting you to act before you have time to think. 

VERIFY. Contact the source directly. If someone claims to represent your financial institution, a company, or a government agency, end the conversation and contact that organization using a phone number or website you know is legitimate. Don’t use the contact information provided in the suspicious message. 

PROTECT. Keep your information private. Never share our passwords, PINs, or one-time security codes with someone who contacts you unexpectedly. Don’t allow strangers to access your computer or mobile device, and never move money simply because someone tells you it is necessary to protect your account. 

REPORT. Speak up if something happens. If you believe you’ve been targeted or have shared personal or financial information, contact your financial institution immediately. If you’ve sent money, contact the bank or payment service you used as soon as possible to ask whether the transaction can be stopped or reversed. 

You can also report scams to the Federal Trade Commission at ReportFraud.ftc.gov

Remember: When in Doubt, Check It Out!

 Scammers are becoming more convincing, but you don’t have to fall for their tricks. Take your time, ask questions, and verify before you act. 

At Coastline, we’re committed to helping our members protect their financial well-being. If you receive suspicious communication claiming to be from Coastline, don’t respond or share sensitive information. Contact us directly using a trusted phone number or visit a branch. 

Your money. Your information. Your security. Protecting all three starts with staying alert!