National Slam the Scam Day

Anyone can fall victim to scams and identity theft but knowing how to identify the signs of a scam can help keep you and your information protected. Scammers pretend to be someone they are not and use fake scenarios to pressure you into revealing personal information and/or sending them money. National Slam the Scam Day is used to share tools about how to stop Social Security related scams.

Ben Christensen, Chief Information Officer at Credit Union West, provided his insight on the importance of understanding and avoiding fraud. Christensen says that protecting your personal information is critical in today's digital world and it's important to remember to trust your instincts and avoid making hasty decisions. While digital security can be overwhelming, Christensen says you’re not alone in facing these challenges.

"Credit Union West is dedicated to helping you navigate through the challenges of protecting your personal data. With our support and your vigilance, your private information remains just that – private," Christensen said.

Recognizing fraud is the first step in stopping a scammer. Here are some signs to watch out for.

Scammers may:

• Pretend to be from an agency or organization you know or are familiar with
• Use a made up problem to scare you into acting
• Create an emergency to pressure you into acting immediately
• Instruct you to pay in a specific way

Helpful tips to Remember:

• If the call is coming from a company or organization you are familiar with, hang up and call back using a phone number from a verified website
• Do not click links or open attachments from unknown sources
• Do not make any payments using a method that is hard to trace. These include gift cards, prepaid debit cards, cryptocurrency, wire transfers, money transfers, or by mailing cash
• Be skeptical of anyone asking for personal information on a call, email, or text message that you did not initiate