Stay Alert, Stay Safe

In today’s connected world, discerning between genuine communication and potential threats to your financial security can be challenging. The rise of text notifications, emails and social media messages overwhelms us with information, both legitimate and fraudulent. And while mail and identity theft remain concerning trends, fraudsters are leveraging technology to find new ways to scam individuals. 

Unfortunately, no matter your age, gender or income level, scammers can and will find ways to try to defraud you, which is why it’s so important to understand how to identify scams before it’s too late.   

Parts of a scam

Scams tend to follow the same structure. When you’re able to recognize where you are in the process, you can be better prepared to get out without any losses.

Most scams first begin with a hook – something that catches your attention. This might be a pop-up window on your computer that says you’ve been hacked, a phone call from someone posing to be your credit union, or a letter from a government agency, claiming you’re in serious legal trouble. 

These hooks pique your interest – and prime you for what comes next. 

Then, a story follows. Whatever the story may be, it’s going to involve a request for your personal information or money. If you ever encounter someone asking for your personal data – bank accounts, social security number, etc. — you should be on alert.

It’s most likely a scam. 

Most often, scammers pose as someone you’d trust, whether that’s your bank, a government agency or a loved one. Scammers will use real agency names, professional language or personal details to explain why they need you to act. 

The fraudsters bank on you believing their story – no matter how outlandish it sounds – because you trust whoever they’re posing as. 

But remember – when someone contacts you first, you can’t be certain they’re telling the truth, even if they might seem to be someone you trust. You don’t truly know who’s contacting you. Email addresses, caller ID and letterheads can be faked. 

Urgency is a key aspect of scams, as it often sends folks into a panic – making them ready and willing to do whatever it takes to solve the problem at hand. 

Scammers will tell you to move quickly – or else. By providing a false deadline, like threats of immediate arrest or someone in imminent danger, fraudsters force action. They might tell you not to close your browser or hang up the phone. 

Scammers focus on making you believe their story just long enough to send or invest the money. They will continue as long as you’re a willing participant. Scammers know how to heighten our emotions and get us to skip over those key questions – like “Are you sure?” and “Does this make sense?” This is one reason why it’s always important to pause and reflect on the facts of the situation at hand. 

And finally, you’ll be told to make a payment or move your cash. This final step might include a request for cryptocurrency, gift cards, wire transfers – methods that are nearly impossible to recover. 

How Everence can help you avoid scams

If you aren’t sure about the legitimacy of a call, email or letter, don’t be afraid to ask for help. Let a family member, loved one or trusted professional (like your local Everence representative) know about the situation. 

At Everence, we are committed to helping businesses, organizations, and individuals protect their financial security. Fraud can impact anyone, but learning how to identify warning signs, taking proactive steps to prevent fraud, and reporting suspicious activity, can help you safeguard your assets.

Everence Federal Credit Union staff are trained to help prevent losses to fraud for our members and are ready to assist if you accidentally disclose sensitive financial information. In 2025 alone, EFCU recorded 145 attempts of fraud, saving members from losing just shy of $1.1 million.

Our staff are prepared to intervene when asked to make immediate, large transfers. They’re trained to ask where the money is being sent and why. The hope is that this provides members with an opportunity to pause and think, which often provides potential fraud victims with a chance to think clearly, without emotion clouding their judgment. 

Together, we can make informed decisions and stay safe from scams.