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Tips to Out-Smart Scammers

Watch Out for These Three Common Scams

Tips to Out-Smart Scammers | Wescom Credit Union

Scammers are getting smart when attempting to steal your information, your money, and even your identity. But by knowing how to spot a scam and what to look for, you can help out-smart scammers and protect your account. Here are three common scams and tips to watch out for this holiday season.

  1. “I thought it was someone from Wescom.” Scammers will call or text you pretending to be Wescom employees. Know that Wescom will never call or text you to request passwords, your account number, debit card number, credit card number, PINs, full Social Security number, online banking credentials, or any one-time verification codes needed to log in to Online Banking, Zelle®, or other digital payment options — even if the caller or sender says (or looks like) they're from Wescom.1 If you receive a call from a phone number that looks like it's from Wescom and are unsure of the identity of a person claiming to be a Wescom representative, hang up and call us back at 1-888-4WESCOM (1-888-493-7266).
  2. "They said I needed to pay a bill right away." Scammers want you to act right away without thinking through the situation first. An overdue bill, a deal too good to be true, or a loved one in need are all examples of how scammers attempt to access your funds. They'll tell you to send money immediately through wire transfer or digital payment apps where it’s harder for the money to be recovered. Only send money to people you know and trust.
  3. “But he seemed so nice.” Scammers will try to befriend you over the phone or social media to deceive. They might initial a friendly relationship and then offer you a “get-rich-quick” deal. Make sure to research any deals or companies before you make a purchase and don’t click links in unsolicited email or text messages.

To report unknown activity or fraud or learn more about fraud scams and what you can do to help protect yourself, visit wescom.org/security-center or call us at 1-888-4WESCOM (1-888-493-7266). We also encourage you to sign up for Wescom's free Account Alerts to notify you via text or email about activity on your account.2

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1 Zelle and Zelle related marks are wholly owned by Early Warning Services, LLC and are used herein under license.

2 Msg & Data rates may apply.