Must-Know Info on Scammers

It’s true. Scammers are using the COVID-19 pandemic to try to steal your money and personal information. If you know what to look for and a few key tips to follow when interacting with information online, you’ll be able to keep yourself safe! Read up on the most common scams affecting people today and learn what to watch out for. 

Phishing Scams  

You may receive phishing emails impersonating the World Health Organization (WHO), the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and other reputable sources, which likely contain links or attachments that are designed to infect your computer with malicious malware and breach your privacy if you click on them. To defend against these email threats:  

1. Exercise caution with emails from unfamiliar sources and avoid opening anything unsolicited, unless you are sure it is a genuine email from a trusted source.
2. Do not reply to or forward the email or click on any links or attachments in the email. Most importantly, do not send out any sensitive information like your credit union credentials, account numbers or passwords.  
3. Delete any suspicious emails you receive. 
4. For accurate information, go straight to the source, such as the WHO and CDC websites. 
5. If you receive an email from iQ Credit Union that appears to be unusual, call 360.695.3441 to confirm if it is real.   

If you’ve accidentally clicked on a phishing link, visit the cyber crime recovery page at FraudSupport.org.  

If you’ve accidentally given out sensitive information, like your credit union credentials, account numbers or passwords, call your financial institution so they can help protect your information immediately.  

Charity Scams  

You may receive emails or phone calls from charities that you don’t recognize asking for donations related to COVID-19. To keep yourself safe from these charity scam threats:  

1. Verify all charities on the IRS tax exemption site. 
2. Never wire money or send gift cards or checks to strangers, foreign banks or any charity that is not legitimate. 

If you’ve accidentally donated to a fraudulent charity, call your financial institution to take the necessary steps to prevent any fraud on your account(s).  

Also, visit the Charity Imposter page at FraudSupport.org for steps to report the fraudulent charity.  

Government Relief Check Scams  

Scammers will use email, text and social media to send messages about the COVID-19 economic impact to entice you to click links for government relief checks. The links will take you to a fake website that looks legitimate and will ask you to enter personal information like your social security number, address and account numbers, to steal your money. Additionally, these fake sites also can download malware to your device and use your information for identity theft. Here’s how to avoid getting taken in:  

1. Do not reply to suspicious emails, texts or social media messages. Also, don’t forward or click on any suspicious links or attachments.
2. Do not give out sensitive information like your credit union credentials, account numbers or passwords. 
3. Delete any suspicious texts, emails or social media messages you receive. 

Social Media Scams  

False information may increase on various social media platforms. To ensure you are getting accurate information about the COVID-19 crisis, only visit trusted social media profiles for the CDC, WHO, the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) and the Better Business Bureau (BBB).  

Don’t assume an offer in a social media message is from a real friend. It’s easier for scammers to impersonate real people on social media. Call your friend to verify they contacted you.  

Loan Forgiveness Scams  

You may receive phony documents, emails and social media posts advertising loan forgiveness programs in the wake of COVID-19. For legitimate information on state-sponsored or government- sponsored loan forgiveness programs related to COVID-19, visit your state or county government websites.  

Pension Scams/Fraud  

If you are retired, or are a caregiver for someone who is, beware of receiving calls or emails from someone impersonating the company that holds you or the individual’s pension. They will ask for personal information and use it fraudulently. Do not give out any sensitive information like your credit union credentials, account numbers or passwords. Contact the company that holds the pension directly to verify and report any scams.  

In summary, here are some quick tips to stay safe from scams surrounding COVID-19:  

• If an offer or opportunity seems too good to be true, it's probably a scam.  
• Never wire money, send gift cards or checks to strangers.  
• If someone claims to be from a federal agency, call the office directly to confirm.  
• Never accept any unsolicited money from strangers.  
• If you suspect your credit union accounts have been hacked, change your passwords immediately and contact your credit union to take steps to protect your accounts.