Scam Alert: Spoofing Scams Are on the Rise, Stay Alert and Protect Your Accounts!

Fraud Alert: Spoofing Scams Are on the Rise! Don’t let scammers trick you into “protecting” your account. 

A new scam is making the rounds, and it looks convincing. Scammers are impersonating financial institutions by sending text messages or phone calls claiming a recent debit card transaction was declined or needs to be verified.

While these messages may appear legitimate, they are designed to steal your personal and financial information.

What Is Spoofing?

Spoofing is when scammers disguise their communication to look like it’s coming from a trusted source. These messages may seem urgent, credible, and convincing, but they are designed to steal your personal and financial information.

What Does the Scam Look Like?

You may receive a text similar to this example of a recent scam text reported by members.

Other versions may ask you to:

• Verify a merchant
• Confirm a recent purchase
• Call a phone number immediately
• Click a link to “secure” your account
• Provide your online banking credentials or card information

These are examples of vishing (voice phishing) or smishing (SMS phishing) attacks.

Why This Scam Is Dangerous

The goal isn’t to verify a transaction.

The goal is to get you to engage.

Once you respond, scammers often:

• Call pretending to be your credit union’s fraud department.
• Ask for your online banking username and password.
• Request your debit card number, PIN, or security code.
• Ask for one-time verification codes sent to your phone.
• Convince you to move money to a “safe account.”

Remember: Volt Credit Union will never ask for your PIN, online banking password, security codes, or full debit card information through a text message or phone call.

What Should You Do?

If you receive a suspicious text:

Don’t

• Reply to the message.
• Click any links.
• Call the phone number provided.
• Share personal or financial information.

Do

• Delete the text message.
• Contact Volt Credit Union using the phone number listed on our official website or the back of your debit card.
• Monitor your accounts for any unauthorized activity.
• Report the message to us so we can help keep other members informed.

Already Responded? Don’t Panic.

If you replied to the text or shared any information:

1. Contact Volt Credit Union immediately.
2. Block your card within your online banking services or contact us to request help.
3. Review your recent transactions for unauthorized activity.
4. Change your online banking password if you shared login information.
5. Continue monitoring your accounts closely.

The sooner you contact us, the sooner we can help protect your account.

How to Spot Fraud Text Messages

Scammers are becoming more sophisticated, but there are still warning signs:

• Unexpected fraud alerts.
• Messages creating a sense of urgency.
• Requests to reply “YES” or “NO.”
• Unknown phone numbers.
• Links that don’t go to your financial institution’s official website.
• Requests for passwords, PINs, or verification codes.

When in doubt, don’t interact with the message.

Instead, contact your financial institution directly using a trusted phone number.

Tips to Protect Yourself from Text Message Scams

• Enable transaction alerts through your banking app.
• Never share one-time verification codes.
• Use strong, unique passwords for online banking.
• Keep your contact information up to date.
• Regularly review your account activity.
• Trust your instincts—if something feels off, it probably is.
• Read more about the latest scams.

We’re Here to Help

Your financial security is our top priority.

If you ever question whether a text message, phone call, or email is legitimate, contact Volt Credit Union before taking any action.

Our team is happy to verify alerts and help you protect your accounts.

Contact Volt Credit Union

• Visit one of our Springfield locations
• Call us using the number listed on the back of your card or on our official website

When it comes to scams, it’s always better to ask first than respond first.