Print
One of the many challenges we are facing with the COVID-19 pandemic is fraud. Criminals are smart. They read headlines and always are finding new opportunities to capitalize on people’s vulnerabilities.
Last week, Congress passed a sweeping relief bill to provide some much needed financial assistance to Americans across the country. As part of that legislative package, individuals soon will receive a government stimulus check in the mail or through a direct deposit. While this is good news for consumers, it also provides scammers with a new opportunity for stealing people’s personal and banking information.
Posing as government workers, scammers are calling, texting, and emailing consumers to solicit personal data. These criminals are claiming the government needs their banking information, PayPal account numbers, or Social Security Numbers to process their government stimulus payments. This is simply untrue.
As a credit union network, it is important that we join the FBI and local law enforcement in warning people about this newest scam. Ongoing education to members about COVID-19-related fraud trends will be a critical tool for ensuring our members’ money and personal data remains safe.