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PHONE: (925) 447-5001 • ROUTING #: 321173072 • FRAUD CENTER

ABOUT US  |  LOCATIONS  |  CONTACT

PHONE: (925) 447-5001
ROUTING #: 321173072
FRAUD CENTER

2024 Fraud and Scam Predictions

Be alert and prepared for these common attacks on the rise. Keep scrolling to find content on 2024-2025 fraud predictions, videos on fraud trend, the signs of a scam, and ways to avoid a scam.

#1 Fastest Growing Financial Crime = Synthetic Identities

Synthetic identities occur when fraudsters create new identities similar to yours by piecing together elements of a person’s personal information and combining them with false identifiers. 

Tips to Avoiding Synthetic Identity Fraud:

  • Be wary of how much information you provide to unknown individuals. Age, location, education, family members, and places of employment should never be provided to people you do not know.
  • Ensure your social media settings are private and only accept friend requests from individuals you are familiar with and are expecting a request from.
Male Hand Holding A Smartphone With Unknown Caller Displayed On Screen

Videos on Fraud Trend Scenarios

Four Signs of a Scam

Pretending
Pretending to be from an organization you know
Scammers often pretend to be contacting you on behalf of the government, your medical and/or financial institutions, or other known organizations such as utility service, universities, schools, non-profit organizations and more.
Scammers use technology to change the phone number that appears on your called ID, so the name and number you see might not be real.
Problem or Prize?
Want Fast Action
Pay Only Their Way

Five Ways to Avoid a Scam

1. Block unwanted calls and text messages.
2. Do NOT give your personal or financial information in response to a request you did not expect.
Real or legitimate organizations will not call, email, or text you to ask for personal information like your social security number, bank account or credit card numbers.
3. Resist the pressure to act immediately.
Real or legitimate businesses will give you time to make a decision. Anyone who pressures you to pay or give them your personal information is a scammer.
4. Know how scammers tell you to pay.
NEVER pay someone who insists you pay with a gift card or by using a money transfer service such as account to account transfer, Zelle, CashApp, Venmo or other money transferring services.
NEVER deposit a check and send money back to someone.
5. Stop and talk to someone you trust.
Before doing anything else, tell a friend, family member, neighbor, or someone you trust what has happened to you. Talking about it could help you realize you are about to be scammed.
UNCLE Credit Union is here to help our members who may feel as if they are victims of fraud. If you feel you may be a victim of a scam, call 1-800-447-5001 or visit a local UNCLE financial center immediately.
Online Relationship or Friendship Scams
While online dating and social media sites have become increasingly popular tools to find love and friendship, they have unfortunately also become popular tools for fraudsters known as romance scammers. Scammers use fake profiles to lure in victims, establish romantic relationships and eventually, extort money.

1. Romance or friendship scams profess adoration and love quickly, without actually meeting you.
Scammers may say they care about you, they listen to you, and they may even be in love with you, but this is a common tactic to get you to give up personal details and answers to security questions that you use to lock down your online accounts.
2. Romance or friendship scams claim they need money for an emergency, hospital bills or travel.
Be suspicious of anyone who asks you for financial assistance, no matter how dire their circumstances may be.
Common scamming storylines include “I need money to support a sick relative”, “I need fund to finalize a loved one’s funeral”, “I need a short-term loan to be able to visit you”, or “I am a US service member overseas and need money”.
3. Romance or friendship scams lure you off of a dating site.
Be very cautious when someone asks for your phone number or email address to take the conversation off of a social media site. This makes it easier for scammers to access your personal information.
If you wish to communicate outside of a social media or dating site, set up an alternate email address or utilize an instant messaging app that is not connected to personal information like your primary email or phone number.
4. Romance or friendships scammers plan to visit you, but they always cancel because of an “emergency”.
If an online love or friendship interest makes plans to visit but always seems to change their plans at the last minute, you should be very suspicious. Often, a cancellation will be accompanied by a request for a short-term loan or payment.
Job or Employment Scams
UNCLE Logo - Dark Grey
2100 Las Positas Court
Livermore, CA 94551
(925) 447-5001
Routing # 321173072

Your savings federally insured to at least $250,000 and backed by the full faith and credit of the U.S. Government. National Credit Union Administration, a U.S. Government Agency. We do business in accordance with the Federal Fair Housing Law and the Equal Credit Opportunity Act. NMLS ID 729232.
Rates shown are current as of December 11th, 2024

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