Is this a scam? Know the signs.

When it comes to spotting a potential scam, the Federal Trade Commission recommends consumers watch for the five Ps.

1. Scammers PRETEND to be from a familiar organization.
Scammers pretend to be contacting you on behalf of known entities: the government, your credit union, popular tech services, or your favorite shopping sites. They might use a real name — the Credit Union, IRS, or Medicare — or use technology to change the credentials that appear on your caller ID.

2. Scammers contact you with a PROBLEM or a PRIZE.
Scammers tend to target a scary vulnerability — you’re in trouble with the government, you owe money or there’s a family emergency. To target your finances, some scammers say there’s a problem with your accounts and ask you to verify information. Other criminals will say you won a sweepstakes … but have to pay a fee to get it. This is a red flag.

Discover more details here

3. Scammers PRESSURE you to act immediately.
Criminals trying to get your personal information want you to act before you have time to think. Pressure includes threats — arrest, lawsuits, loss of driver or business license, corrupted computer or deportation.

4. Scammers demand you to PAY in a specific way.
Cryptocurrency, wiring money, using a payment app, or putting money on a gift card — if a someone is not offering typical forms of payment, this most likely is a scam. Some scams can include money transfer by a check (that will later turn out to be fake), then tell you to deposit it and send them money.

Think you've been scammed?
Call the Credit Union immediately. If it's after hours, you can turn your cards off online, check your Activity Center to make sure nothing has been set up, check your secure access code target (which should be your cell phone number) and change your log-in credentials, most importantly the user name. This is a good reminder to diversify your passwords and use credentials you use elsewhere for your banking needs.

— Staff report