Scammers may impersonate financial institutions, government agencies, or familiar companies to trick you into sharing sensitive information. These messages often create a sense of urgency, claiming your account has been locked, suspicious activity has occurred, or immediate action is required.

Protect yourself:

• Never share passwords, PINs, or verification codes.

• Avoid clicking suspicious links in emails or text messages.

• Do not trust a caller simply because the caller ID looks familiar. Phone numbers can be spoofed.

• Contact Mobility Credit Union directly if you are unsure whether a message is legitimate.

Scammers may send counterfeit checks disguised as prize winnings, employment payments, refunds, or overpayments. They then ask you to deposit the check and send some of the money back.

Even if the funds initially appear in your account, the check may later be returned unpaid, leaving you responsible for the money withdrawn or sent.

Protect yourself: Never send money back to someone who sends you an unexpected check. Be especially cautious if you are asked to purchase gift cards, send a wire transfer, or transfer money to another account.

Fraudsters use social media, dating websites, and messaging platforms to build relationships and gain trust. Over time, they may invent emergencies, request financial assistance, or encourage you to participate in questionable investment opportunities.

Protect yourself: Never send money or share financial information with someone you have only met online. Be cautious of anyone who pressures you to act quickly or keep financial requests secret.

Scammers may pretend to be a grandchild, relative, or close friend experiencing an emergency. Some even use artificial intelligence to imitate familiar voices, making fraudulent calls sound convincing.

Protect yourself: Hang up and contact your loved one directly using a phone number you already know. Never send money based solely on an unexpected emergency call.

Fraudsters may claim to represent the IRS, Social Security Administration, law enforcement, or another trusted organization. They may threaten legal action, demand immediate payment, or request personal information.

Protect yourself: Be suspicious of unexpected demands for payment, especially requests involving gift cards, cryptocurrency, or wire transfers. Verify the request directly with the organization through its official website or published phone number.

Fake online stores, fraudulent marketplace listings, and payment scams can trick consumers into paying for products or services that never arrive.

Protect yourself: Research unfamiliar sellers, use secure payment methods, and be cautious of unusually low prices. Never send money to strangers through payment apps simply because they promise a deal.

Identity theft occurs when someone uses your personal information without permission to open accounts, make purchases, obtain loans, or commit other fraudulent activities.

While no method can eliminate every risk, taking preventive measures can help protect your identity.

Three Ways to Protect Your Identity

1. Protect Your Information

Keep your Social Security number, account numbers, passwords, and other sensitive information private. Use strong, unique passwords and enable multifactor authentication whenever available.

2. Monitor Your Accounts

Review your account activity, credit reports, and financial statements regularly. Report unfamiliar transactions or suspicious changes immediately.

3. Act Quickly

If you believe your information has been compromised, take action right away to help prevent additional financial damage.

1. Contact Mobility Credit Union. If your accounts or personal financial information may be affected, call 214.574.2000 so we can help you determine appropriate next steps.

2. Report identity theft. Visit IdentityTheft.gov to report the incident to the Federal Trade Commission and create a personalized recovery plan.

3. Place a fraud alert or credit freeze. Contact one of the three major credit bureaus to place a fraud alert. You may also request a credit freeze with each bureau to help prevent unauthorized accounts from being opened.

4. Secure your accounts. Change compromised passwords, review recent transactions, and contact affected financial institutions.

5. Report the crime. Depending on the circumstances, you may also need to file a report with local law enforcement.

Credit Bureau Contact Information

Equifax

www.equifax.com
1.800.525.6285

Experian

www.experian.com
1.888.397.3742

TransUnion

www.transunion.com
1.800.680.7289

For additional identity theft information, visit the Federal Trade Commission.

Tax identity theft occurs when someone uses your Social Security number or other personal information to file a fraudulent tax return or claim a refund.

Ways to protect yourself:

• File your tax return as early as practical.

• Protect tax documents and Social Security information.

• Be cautious of unexpected messages claiming to be from the IRS.

• Consider obtaining an IRS Identity Protection PIN.

• Report suspicious tax activity promptly.

Learn more about protecting yourself from tax related identity theft at IRS.gov.

Financial exploitation occurs when someone improperly uses another person's money, property, or financial resources. Older adults can be particularly vulnerable to scams involving trusted individuals, caregivers, family members, or strangers.

Warning signs may include unusual withdrawals, unexpected changes to accounts, unexplained financial transactions, or someone pressuring an individual to give away money.

Tips to stay protected:

• Never provide personal or financial information to unknown callers.

• Be cautious of unexpected requests for money, even from someone claiming to be a loved one.

• Avoid making financial decisions under pressure.

• Review account statements regularly.

• Speak with someone you trust if a financial request seems suspicious.

• Report suspected financial exploitation promptly.

If you suspect that you or someone you know is being financially exploited, contact Mobility Credit Union or the appropriate authorities.

At Mobility Credit Union, protecting our members also means following federal regulations designed to prevent fraud, identity theft, and financial crimes.

We may ask you to verify your identity or provide additional information when opening an account, conducting certain transactions, or accessing financial services.

These measures help safeguard your accounts and maintain a secure financial environment for all members.

Stay informed with trusted resources offering fraud alerts, identity theft assistance, and practical security tips.

• NCUA Fraud Prevention Center — Credit union fraud awareness and consumer protection resources.

• Federal Trade Commission — Information about common scams and how to report fraud.

• IdentityTheft.gov — Identity theft reporting and recovery assistance.

• IRS Identity Theft Central — Resources for tax related identity theft.

• FBI Internet Crime Complaint Center — Report suspected internet crimes and online fraud.