SCAM AND FRAUD EDUCATION (S.A.F.E)
Giving you actionable ways to defend against fraud.
In today’s always-connected world, it’s never been easier to be targeted by scams.
First Florida’s banking services have built-in advanced security to protect your financial and sensitive information. But when it comes to fighting everyday fraud activity, you are always your best line of defense.
That’s why we’ve launched S.A.F.E. – a Scam And Fraud Education initiative. We provide trustworthy resources to help you recognize common scam tactics and how to combat them.
Staying Aware of Currently Reported Scams
First Florida’s team of security experts stay alert to trending scams that may affect members, whether they’re reported by First Florida or by other financial institutions. Here, you’ll find any recently reported scams, so you can stay up-to-date on cybercrime and fraudulent activity.
Spotting a Scam by Their Common Characteristics
The first step to preventing a scam is knowing what it looks like. Whether over the phone, through email, or by text, the majority of scams share common characteristics that can be summed up by the Four Ps. They include:
- Posing as authority – when scammers pretend to be from an established organization
- Presenting a problem or prize – when scammers make you think you need to take action right away
- Pressuring you to act quickly – when scammers want you to take action before you know what’s happening and may use scare tactics like claiming legal action
- Paying in a specific way – when scammers insist that you complete the transaction through specific methods such as paying with gift cards or cryptocurrency
Use the Four Ps as the first step to recognize fraud and help protect yourself and your finances.
Avoiding Scams: Best Practices
Fraudsters are clever, but their points of entry and tactics are consistent. Here, you’ll find some of the most common types of fraud, what they look like, and how to defend yourself against them.
| Main Types of Fraud | Definition | Top Ways to Defend |
|---|---|---|
| Identity Theft | Someone uses your social security number or other personal information to open new accounts, make purchases, or get a tax refund. | Protect your information, monitor your credit statements, and report suspected ID theft immediately. |
| Phone Fraud | Someone calls – sometimes from a number that looks authentic – and tries to get account information. | Do not give information to incoming caller, offer to call back on number you know. |
| Credit &Debt Recovery | Targets consumers with significant debt,falsely promising to negotiate with creditors or adjust credit reports | Do not give information over the phone or pay any upfront fee. Take their number and research authenticity before calling back. |
| Fake Charities | Pretends to represent a charity and asks for donations, often after tragic events or natural disasters. | Plan in advance to call back, then research the charity at guidestar.org. If donating, do so with a protected credit card. |
| Imposter Scams | Pretends to be a family member or organization you trust to convince you to send them money – scare tactics are often used. | Validate all calls, and don’t give information over the phone or via email. Government agencies will never call and threaten jail time for non-payment. |
| Fake Lotteries / Sweepstakes | Asks for your bank account information to deposit winnings or urges you to send money to cover fees, taxes, shipping, etc. | Do not provide information. If you didn’t enter, you didn’t win. Legitimate sweepstakes do not require you to pay to collect winnings. |
| Phishing | Uses email or text messages to trick you into giving them your personal information. | Don’t click on links in any suspicious email; research and contact the company directly |
Fraud Prevention Featured Articles from First Florida
First Florida gathers information on the latest fraud trends for you. Check out our featured articles under Fraud Prevention, where you’ll learn more on fraud topics, including:
- Spotting frauds
- Trending scams
- Avoiding cybercriminals online
- And more!
Other Trustworthy Fraud Prevention Resources
First Florida stays connected to reputable and reliable sources for fraud prevention information, and we want to share that same information with you. Below, you’ll find convenient links and other resources:
First Florida Credit Union is dedicated to protecting your privacy. Remember, First Florida employees will never contact you to request your personal information, account password, PIN, or one-time verification code.
If you have any concerns or questions regarding your First Florida accounts, call our Member Support Center at (800) 766-4328.