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Stay Alert: How to Protect Yourself Against Phone Number Spoofing Scams!

Phone number spoofing is a form of fraud whereby fraudsters impersonate a trusted institution or an individual you trust to gain your trust for fraudulent activities that involve the divulging of personal information. Even if a call displays a number you are familiar with, don't let your guard down, since fraudsters may use any means to manipulate technology to outsmart their victims.

Common phone scams to be aware of include:

• The "Grandson" Scam: Posing as a relative in distress and asking for immediate cash.
• Fake Bank Representative: Claiming suspicious account activity, needing “verification” of your account details.
• Government Impersonation: Posing as Social Security, the IRS, or some other agency in order to demand money or personal information.

Red Flags to look out for:

• Pressure and urgency to take action immediately.
• Threats of severe consequences if one does not comply, such as legal problems.
• Requests for money transfers, or other sensitive information like Social Security numbers, PINs, and credit card numbers.
• Odd language, miscommunication, or discrepant information.

How to Protect Oneself:

• Stop and Think: Never do anything because of pressure from a caller.
• Verify the Caller: Hang up and then call the institution's official number or person to verify any call.
• Take Counsel from Someone: Discuss this mysterious call with someone close, like family members, friends, or siblings that you can trust.
• Protect Your Data: Never disclose personal information, passwords, or any form of authorization by telephone.
• Be Tech-Savvy: Never install apps or software at someone's request; it may give them remote access to your device.
• Transfers to Avoid: Never withdraw or transfer money at the urging of a caller.

Your Safety Matters to Us

If you think you may have been the victim of fraud, contact Kaiperm Credit Union immediately at (925) 939-5626. Let's stay vigilant and stop these scammers together!