In our continued efforts to protect our members from fraud, we wanted to highlight a couple scams and tactics we want you to be aware of:
Online Shopping Scams: Fraudulent actors may spoof legitimate shops or create fake online stores offering low prices for popular products. These sites may look very convincing, and may even mirror Amazon or Walmart. These fake stores often place ads on social media promoting great sales. You may not even realize that you purchased from a fraudulent shop until weeks go by without receiving your order. Most online scams are designed to steal personal and financial information while never shipping your purchase, while others may actually ship a product that is a knock-off. It is a good idea to pay attention to web addresses and hover over any links to see where they actually lead, so that you do not click on strange links. Never submit personal or financial information through sites that are unsecure, and if unusual forms of payment are requested - such as cryptocurrency or gift cards – do not proceed with the transaction.
Shoulder Surfing: Not all scams occur online or over the phone. Simply standing in line at a supermarket could make you a target for fraud. “Shoulder Surfing” is when a person peers over your shoulder or listens to your conversation in the hopes of obtaining personal or financial information. While we all lead busy lives, actions like paying a bill over the phone while waiting at the airport, holding your debit card in your hand while waiting in line at the pharmacy, or pulling out your credit card to order something online while working from a coffee shop may put you at real risk. Being mindful of your surroundings - and what information you may accidentally be sharing - can help prevent your identity and finances.