Protect Yourself from Thieves.
Stay one step ahead of modern thieves—learn how to spot and stop scams before they strike.
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What is a Scam?
A scam is a deceptive scheme or trick used to cheat someone out of something valuable, typically money. Scammers use false promises, misleading information, or pretend to be someone they’re not in order to steal from unsuspecting individuals.
Scams are on the Rise: Per the Federal Trade Commission, in 2023, scammers stole over $10 billion from Americans — the highest ever recorded. From fake texts to online shopping scams, fraud is growing fast. Knowing the warning signs helps protect your money.
Why Scams are Common Now: The digital surge during the pandemic has made scams more prevalent. Easy online transactions have helped scammers trick people into fraudulent activities quickly and effectively.
Recent Fraud Prevention Articles
Common Scam Phrases
- “Act quickly!” Scammers use urgency to trick you.
- “Lie for us.” A sure sign of a scam.
- “Don’t trust others.” Scammers isolate you from help.
- “Do this or face arrest.” False threats are scam tactics.
- “Stay on the line.” They’re stalling to scam you.
- “Use a Bitcoin ATM.” Real requests don’t involve crypto ATMs.
Tips to Stay Safe:
USE STRONG PASSWORDS: Never share a password or write it down. Strong passwords are multiple characters, usually including an upper case, special character and number.
VERIFY THE SOURCE: Avoid communicating with someone you do not know. Instead, stop the conversation and reconnect back directly with the person that you know.
DO NOT SHARE PERSONAL INFORMATION: A bank or creditor will never call you asking you to share your account number or SSN.
DON’T CLICK LINKS: If you do not know the sender, do not click a link or open a file.
STAY CALM: Scammer’s like to get people to take action quickly. Legitimate businesses will give you time to make a decision.
Is it Fraud? Take the Quiz:
If you answer “YES” to any of the following questions, you could be involved in fraud:
IS THIS A STRANGER? Did the contact come from an unverified person or entity asking for personal information? Did you meet this person on Facebook or other social media?
IS IT URGENT? Are you being pressured to act immediately without time to think or consult?
ARE YOU EMOTIONAL? Does the situation play heavily on your emotions, like sympathy or fear?
DO YOU NEED TO PAY IN A SPECIFIC WAY? For example, you must use a gift card or bitcoin.
IS IT OVERSEAS? Does the transaction involve moving money overseas or electronically, such as through wires, bitcoin, or gift cards?
If you believe you have been involved in fraud,
call 855.876.1500 immediately.
Common Scam Methods
Scammers tend to reach out via a few common methods. Always verify unexpected contacts carefully.
Phone: Impersonating officials or services.
Email: Impersonating trusted entities.
Texts: Sending alerts or offers.
Social Media: Posing as contacts/brands.
Websites: Fake sites asking for info.
Mail: Soliciting through posted letters.
Already Gave Information?
If your personal information has fallen into the wrong hands, quick action can limit the damage. Follow these immediate steps to protect your financial security:
Did you give bank Card Information?
- Turn your card off immediately using Fortifi’s online or mobile banking, and call Fortifi right away to cancel and replace the card. (855.876.1500)
- Update any automatic payments linked to the canceled card.
Did you give Account Credentials?
- Reset any details to the account including username and passwords.
- Apply these changes across all accounts if your PC was accessed.
Did you give computer access?
- Reset all of your email login usernames and passwords.
- Get your computer checked by a trusted technician to rule out malware.
Impersonation Scams
Grandparents Scam
Scammers impersonate a grandchild in distress, playing on grandparents’ emotions to trick them into sending money urgently.
Learn MoreRomance Scam
Scammers create fake online personas, develop relationships, and then deceive victims into sending money for emergencies.
Learn MoreCharity Scam
Scammers exploit your generosity by posing as fake charities to steal donations, especially after natural disasters or during holidays.
Learn MoreTechnology Scams
Tech Support Scam
Scammers claim your computer has a virus and offer to fix it, gaining remote access to your system to steal sensitive information.
Learn MoreText Message Scam
Unsolicited texts with links lead to fake websites designed to steal your personal information or install malware on your device.
Learn MoreCrypto Scam
Promises of high returns on cryptocurrency investments lead to fraudulent schemes where your investment is stolen by scammers.
Learn MoreOnline Shopping Scam
These involve fake retail sites or false ads on legitimate sites to lure shoppers into buying products that will never be delivered.
Learn MorePhishing Scam
Fraudsters send emails mimicking legitimate companies to trick you into giving away personal details like passwords and bank info.
Learn MoreRobocall Scam
Pre-recorded calls make false claims of prizes or legal threats, trying to extract your personal data or payments.
Learn MoreFinancial Scams
Fake Banker Scam
Scammers pose as bank employees to ‘verify’ your account details due to ‘suspicious activity,’ aiming to access your funds.
Learn MoreFake Lottery Scam
You’re told you’ve won a big prize and must pay a fee to claim it. There’s no prize, and the fee goes straight to the scammers.
Learn MoreUnsafe Account Scam
Con artists alert you to a ‘breach’ and advise you to ‘confirm’ your banking details, leading to potential account compromise.
Learn MoreFalse Investment Scam
Offers of no-risk, high-return investments that, in reality, funnel your money into the pockets of fraudsters.
Learn MoreCredit Card Scam
These scams might involve offers for credit cards with exceptional benefits. Scammers seek upfront payment or personal information.
Learn MoreDebt Collection Scam
Scammers pose as debt collectors and trick people into paying debts they don’t owe or have already paid.
Learn More