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Fraud can happen to anyone, and scammers are constantly finding new ways to make their messages and requests seem legitimate. In recognition of International Fraud Awareness Week, November 15–21, we’re sharing some common warning signs to help you recognize a potential scam before you act.

1. Be cautious when someone contacts you unexpectedly

Scammers often pretend to be someone you trust, such as a financial institution, government agency, well-known company, or even someone you know. They may contact you by phone, text, email, or social media and use convincing details to make their story seem legitimate. If you weren’t expecting the communication, take a moment to verify who is really contacting you before providing information or taking action. The Federal Trade Commission identifies impersonating a familiar organization as one of the four common signs of a scam.

2. Don't let urgency make the decision for you

Scammers often create a sense of urgency to pressure you into acting before you have time to think. They may claim there is suspicious activity on your account, threaten negative consequences, or tell you that an offer is only available for a limited time. Slow down, take a step back, and verify the situation through a trusted source before doing anything. The Federal Trade Commission specifically warns that pressure to act immediately is a common scam tactic.

3. Think before you click

Unexpected texts or emails may include links designed to steal your login credentials, financial information, or other personal information. Even if a message looks like it came from a company you recognize, avoid clicking the link and instead visit the company’s website or app directly. Be especially cautious of messages asking you to “verify” or “update” sensitive account information, since legitimate organizations generally will not unexpectedly ask you to provide personal or financial information this way.

4. Be suspicious of unusual payment requests

How someone asks you to pay can be just as important as what they’re asking you to pay for. Scammers may request payment using methods that can be difficult to reverse or recover, including gift cards, cryptocurrency, wire transfers, or payment apps. If someone insists that you must pay using a specific or unusual method, stop and verify the request before sending any money.

5. Verify the request yourself

Caller ID, email addresses, and other details can be manipulated to make a scam appear legitimate, so don’t rely solely on the information provided in an unexpected message. If you receive a suspicious request from a company or financial institution, contact the organization directly using a phone number, website, or app you already know and trust. The Federal Trade Commission recommends avoiding phone numbers and links supplied in suspicious communications and independently contacting the organization instead. 

6. If something doesn't feel right, speak up

If you think you’ve encountered a scam, don’t be embarrassed or afraid to ask for help. Contact your financial institution as soon as possible if you’ve shared account information, sent money, or noticed suspicious activity, since acting quickly may help limit additional damage. 

Stay alert. Stay informed. Stay protected.

Fraud tactics may continue to change, but knowing the warning signs can help you recognize when something isn’t right. Take your time, trust your instincts, and remember that it’s always okay to pause and verify a request before sharing information or sending money.

As a reminder, IAACU will never contact you asking for any personal information or for a verification code. If you believe you have given out personal information on a potential fraud call, please contact our Service Center at 800-676-2541 immediately.

How To Avoid a Scam | Consumer Advice