Protect Yourself from Scams

Today’s thieves don’t break in — they log in.

Maybe you think falling for a phishing scam is something only your grandparents should worry about? Guess again. According to a report from the Federal Trade Commission (FTC), millennials and Generation Zers are more likely to lose money to online scams than older adults. FTC research found that of adults ages 20–29 who reported fraud, 50% of them ended up losing money.

The easiest way for criminals to gain access to your account is with your own password or ID. Do not provide your account login information to anyone — not even Honda FCU.

Here are a few email scams you should avoid:
  

• Fake stimulus payments - Scammers are posing as representatives of the IRS, Social Security  - Administration, FDIC and other government agencies with promises of quick relief payments, loans or cash grants due to COVID-19. Thieves might even incorporate personal information in the email, such as your date of birth, to gain your confidence. Remember, the IRS will never initiate contact via email about a tax bill, refund or Economic Impact Payments.
• Fake Zoom meetings - Often these emails pose as a Zoom invite to an urgent “HR meeting” you must attend or risk losing your job. The fake Zoom screen may only ask for your email password, but gaining access to your email account might allow crooks to reset passwords for your bank accounts as well. Tipoffs: A generic salutation (dear colleague, team member, etc.) and vague subject lines like “Meeting with Human Resources and Payroll Administrative Head.” Remember, if someone is actually inviting you to a meeting, you shouldn’t need to provide any login information given that they’re hosting. 
• Fake text messages (SMS) - With more people using banking apps and payment wallets such as Apple Pay, SMS phishing (“smishing”) is on the rise as well. A fake text message sends you to a legitimate looking login screen designed to steal your banking or payment-app password. Don’t click the link. Instead, log on at our secure site or through the Honda FCU mobile app. Remember, government agencies, banks and other legitimate companies will never ask for personal information via text. 

In all cases, the surest sign of a scam is someone who asks you to cash a check, wire money or pay with cryptocurrency. Honda FCU will never ask for your account information via email, text or any other electronic method. 

If you’re unsure whether an email or text was legitimately sent by Honda FCU, please contact us through secure messaging, digital banking (hondafcu.org), or talk to one of our helpful representatives at 800-634-6632.