Scammers target consumers by phone, text, email, social media, and fake payment requests. Use this guide to spot warning signs, protect your accounts, and know when to contact LNFCU right away.
If you think you shared account information, sent a suspicious payment, or responded to a fraudster, call LNFCU immediately at 732-323-2496.
Fraud schemes change often, but many use the same playbook: create fear, create urgency, and push you to share information or send money before you can verify the story.
A caller or text claims there is fraud on your account and offers to “secure” your money. The message may appear to come from a familiar number and may mention real personal details.
What they want: login credentials, one-time codes, card information, or a transfer to an account they control.An email imitates a financial institution, delivery company, employer, government agency, or streaming service. It directs you to a fake login page or attaches a file that may install malicious software.
What they want: passwords, account numbers, personal details, or access to your device.A text announces a declined purchase, account lock, unpaid toll, package problem, or prize. The short message is designed to make you tap before you stop to verify it.
What they want: a response, a link click, payment, or information entered on a fake mobile website.The caller pretends to be LNFCU, law enforcement, a court, a utility, a relative, or technical support. Caller ID can be manipulated, so a familiar number is not proof that the call is real.
What they want: immediate payment, account information, or control of your computer or phone.The scammer directs you to move money using a fast payment method, often while staying on the phone. The transfer may be described as a refund, security step, investment, purchase, or emergency payment.
What they want: an authorized transfer that may be difficult to recover after it is sent.Someone says gift cards are the only way to pay a bill, fine, debt, emergency, or business expense. They may tell you exactly which store to visit and ask you to read or photograph the numbers.
What they want: the card number and PIN, which lets them take the value without possessing the card.You receive a check for a job, sale, prize, refund, or service—often for more than expected—and are told to send part of the money elsewhere. The deposit may appear available before the check is later returned unpaid.
What they want: real money sent from your account before the fake check is discovered.A person develops an online relationship, sometimes claiming to be deployed or unable to access funds. After building trust, the person invents travel, medical, legal, or investment needs.
What they want: repeated payments, financial account access, or personal information that can support identity theft.A criminal uses stolen personal or financial information to access an existing account, reset credentials, open new accounts, redirect mail, or impersonate you.
What they want: lasting access to your identity, credit, deposits, benefits, or tax information.One red flag may be enough to stop. Several at once almost always point to a scam.
Understanding the difference helps you recognize fake messages faster.
We may reach out about routine account or service matters using our normal business channels.
These requests should be treated as suspicious, even if the caller or message seems convincing.
Fast action can reduce loss and help protect your account.
Do not continue the call, text, chat, or email reply if the request seems suspicious.
Avoid suspicious links, attachments, or payments until you verify the situation independently.
Use the number on this website, your card, or a trusted statement to confirm whether the message was real.
Change passwords and monitor your accounts if you shared information or clicked a suspicious link.
Save screenshots, phone numbers, emails, and dates in case LNFCU or law enforcement needs details.
Open a topic to see the usual setup, the scammer’s objective, common warning signs, and the safest next action.
You receive a call or message claiming that a suspicious purchase, account takeover, or identity-theft event requires immediate action. The fraudster may spoof a trusted number or know partial personal details from another data breach.
Your online banking credentials, debit-card details, one-time security codes, or an authorized transfer to a so-called safe, protected, or government-controlled account.
The caller tells you not to contact the credit union, asks you to repeat a security code, demands secrecy, or instructs you to move money to “protect” it.
End the contact. Call LNFCU using the number published on this website or printed on your card. Do not move money or share a code while someone is directing you.
Example: “We found a fraudulent transfer. Read me the six-digit code so I can cancel it, then move the balance to this secure account.”
An email appears to come from a bank, delivery service, employer, government agency, or company you use. It says you must verify a purchase, reset a password, view a document, or avoid an account closure.
Login credentials, card or account details, personal information, or permission to install software through an attachment or download.
Urgent or emotional language, an unexpected attachment, a sender address that is slightly wrong, a generic greeting, or a link whose destination does not match the organization.
Do not use the message link. Open the organization’s official website yourself or call a trusted number. Delete the message after reporting it through the appropriate channel.
Example: “Your account will be suspended today. Sign in here immediately to confirm your identity.”
A short text claims that your card was used, a package cannot be delivered, a toll is unpaid, or your account has been locked. The message may include a shortened link or ask you to reply YES or NO.
A response that confirms your number is active, a visit to a fake mobile site, a payment, or personal and financial information.
Unexpected urgency, unfamiliar web addresses, spelling changes in a company name, threats of fees or closure, or a request for credentials or one-time codes.
Do not reply or tap the link. Verify the claim through the official app or website, or call the organization using a trusted number.
Example: “LNFCU ALERT: A $924 purchase is pending. Tap now to decline and secure your account.”
An unexpected caller claims to represent an organization or person you trust. The displayed number may look local or may appear to match a real business because caller ID can be spoofed.
Money, account details, personal information, or continued access to pressure you into another step of the scam.
Threats of arrest, disconnection, account closure, or financial loss; refusal to let you hang up; and instructions to use an unusual payment method.
Hang up without pressing a number or following instructions. Independently find the official number and call back. A legitimate caller will allow you to verify the request.
Example: “This is the sheriff’s office. Pay the missed-jury-duty fine right now or an officer will be sent to your home.”
The scammer creates an urgent reason to send money through a person-to-person app, wire service, cryptocurrency kiosk, or digital wallet. The request may involve a purchase, refund, emergency, investment, or account-protection story.
A transfer you authorize yourself. Once sent, these payments can move quickly and may be difficult to recover.
Pressure to send immediately, instructions to ignore fraud warnings, a request to use a QR code or cryptocurrency ATM, or a recipient name you do not recognize.
Stop before approving the transfer. Verify the person and purpose using a separate trusted contact method. Never move money because someone says it must be protected.
Example: “Your account is compromised. Transfer the balance through this payment app so the money can be held safely.”
A caller, text, email, or social-media message says you owe a fine, need to help a relative, must complete a business task, or need to solve an account problem by buying gift cards.
The number and PIN from the back of the card. With those details, the scammer can use or resell the value immediately.
You are told which cards to buy, which stores to visit, how to avoid questions from cashiers, or to stay on the phone while purchasing them.
Do not buy the cards. If you already did, keep the receipt and card, contact the gift-card issuer immediately, and report the incident.
Example: “Your boss needs ten gift cards for clients. Send photos of the numbers and PINs as soon as you buy them.”
A stranger sends a check connected to a job, online sale, prize, refund, rental, or service. The amount is often larger than expected, and you are told to return the difference or pay someone else.
Real money from your account before the financial institution determines that the check is counterfeit or uncollectible.
An overpayment, instructions to send money to a third party, pressure to act as soon as funds appear, or a request to use gift cards, wires, crypto, or payment apps.
Do not send money based on a deposited check from someone you do not know. Contact LNFCU before using the funds if the circumstances are unusual.
Example: “I accidentally paid $2,000 too much for the item. Deposit the check and wire the extra amount to my shipping agent.”
A person contacts you through a dating app, social platform, game, or email and builds a relationship over time. They may claim to be deployed, stationed overseas, widowed, or unable to access their own funds.
Money for travel, medical costs, customs fees, legal issues, communications, or investments—and sometimes personal information that supports identity theft.
They cannot meet or video chat reliably, stories become increasingly dramatic, and every solution requires gift cards, wires, payment apps, or cryptocurrency.
Do not send money to an online-only relationship. Discuss the situation with someone you trust and independently verify any claimed military identity or emergency.
Example: “I am deployed and my military account is frozen. I need money for emergency leave so I can finally come see you.”
A caller or message claims to be from the IRS, Social Security, Medicare, a court, police department, or another agency. The scammer may use official-looking documents, badge numbers, or case numbers.
Immediate payment, identity information, or account details under the threat of arrest, deportation, benefit suspension, or legal action.
Payment demands by gift card, cryptocurrency, wire, or payment app; threats that prevent you from checking the story; or promises of grants, prizes, or refunds after an upfront fee.
End the contact and independently locate the agency’s official contact information. Do not use the number, link, or payment instructions provided by the caller.
Example: “Your Social Security number has been suspended. Pay a security bond today to avoid arrest.”
You receive a pop-up, call, email, or search result claiming your device has a virus, your account was hacked, or a subscription must be renewed. The person offers to diagnose the problem remotely.
Remote access to your device, payment for unnecessary services, card details, or visibility into passwords and financial accounts.
An unsolicited warning, a phone number inside a pop-up, instructions to install remote-control software, or a request to log in to online banking while the caller can see your screen.
Close the message and do not call the displayed number. Use a trusted technology provider. If remote access was granted, disconnect the device from the internet and seek professional help.
Example: “Microsoft detected hackers on your computer. Install this screen-sharing app so our technician can secure your bank accounts.”
An online contact, social-media ad, “investment manager,” group chat, or romantic interest promotes a special opportunity involving cryptocurrency, stocks, foreign exchange, real estate, or precious metals.
Deposits into a fake platform or wallet. The site may display invented profits but block withdrawals unless you pay additional taxes, fees, or verification charges.
Guaranteed profit, little or no risk, secret methods, pressure to act before the opportunity disappears, or instructions to buy crypto and transfer it to a wallet someone else controls.
Do not invest based on an unsolicited contact or relationship. Research the person and company independently and verify registration through appropriate official sources.
Example: “I can show you a private crypto strategy that guarantees 20% each month. Start by sending $500 to this wallet.”
An unexpected text or message offers easy remote work, product “optimization,” package handling, mystery shopping, or a position with unusually high pay and a fast interview process.
Upfront fees, cryptocurrency deposits, personal identity documents, direct-deposit information, or money returned from a fake equipment check.
The employer hires through chat only, sends a check to buy equipment, asks you to pay to unlock earnings, or requires repeated deposits to complete online tasks.
Verify the opening on the employer’s official website and contact the company independently. Never pay for a job or send money from an employer’s check.
Example: “Complete these product-rating tasks to earn commissions, but deposit $250 first to unlock the next level.”
A caller claims to be a child, grandchild, friend, attorney, doctor, or police officer. The story involves an accident, arrest, medical emergency, or travel problem.
Immediate money sent before you contact another relative. The scammer may know names or details found online and may use altered or imitated voices.
Instructions to keep the situation secret, stay on the phone, avoid contacting family, or pay through cash pickup, gift cards, wires, crypto, or a courier.
Pause and call the relative using a number you already know. Ask a personal question a stranger would not know and confirm the story with another family member.
Example: “Grandma, I was arrested after an accident. Please don’t tell Mom—my lawyer needs bail money right now.”
Personal information is exposed through phishing, a stolen device, mail theft, malware, a data breach, or social engineering. The criminal may then reset passwords or change contact information.
Access to deposits, credit, tax refunds, benefits, loans, payment cards, or other services opened or used in your name.
Unexpected password-reset notices, unfamiliar transactions, missing statements, new accounts on a credit report, address changes, or security codes you did not request.
Contact LNFCU immediately for account concerns, change affected passwords from a trusted device, review financial activity and credit reports, and document each recovery step.
Example: You receive a security-code text you did not request, followed by a call asking you to read the code to “cancel” an account change.
Act quickly, use trusted contact information, and document every step.
These answers provide general guidance. Contact LNFCU if you are dealing with a specific incident.
If you are unsure, do not use the text link. Contact LNFCU directly using a trusted phone number or visit online banking yourself.
Stop entering information, close the page, and change your passwords from a trusted device if credentials may have been exposed. Then contact LNFCU.
Call LNFCU immediately. Recovery is not always possible, but prompt action gives the best chance of reducing additional loss.
Yes. Caller ID spoofing is common. A familiar number on your screen does not prove the caller is legitimate.
No. One-time codes are meant to verify you. Sharing them can allow another person to access your account or reset your credentials.
You can contact LNFCU directly or use the general contact form for non-urgent questions.
Use official government resources rather than links supplied by an unexpected caller, email, or text.
Use official LNFCU contact methods for questions about your accounts, recent activity, or possible fraud. If the matter is urgent, call first.
This page is for education and awareness. It does not replace account-specific guidance from LNFCU.