Scammers are becoming increasingly clever and convincing. They may know your name, phone number, or your financial institution's name, making it difficult to determine whether a call is legitimate. With this in mind, there are certain things that a legitimate financial institution will never call and ask you for.
If you receive a message, email, or phone call claiming to be your financial institution and asking for any of the following information, it's important to not respond; report it immediately.
Digital Banking Username or Password
Your financial institution will never ask you to provide your username or password for Digital Banking over the phone, via text, or by email.
Your Card PIN
Your PIN on your card should always remain private. Your financial institution will never ask you to provide that information over the phone, email, or text.
The CVV on Your Card
The three-digit CVV code on the back of your card is another piece of information that should always be kept private. If someone unexpectedly contacts you and asks for your CVV, it could be a sign that they are attempting to use your card information for fraudulent activity.
Your Complete Account Number
While a financial institution may need to verify certain account information when you contact them, be cautious of unexpected requests for your complete account number or other account information from unknown callers, messages, or emails.
Access to Your Computer or Device
If someone is claiming to be your financial institution and asks you to download software or give them remote access to your computer or phone, hang up immediately. Following those instructions gives scammers access to your accounts and the ability to view sensitive information.
Transferring Money to an Unknown Account
Scammers may call you, claim your money is at risk, and instruct you to transfer it to a different account for "safekeeping." It's important to remember that your financial institution will not ask you to move your money to an unknown account to protect it from fraud.
Personal Information
If someone unexpectedly asks for sensitive information, such as your Social Security number or date of birth, it is most likely a scam. Scammers try to obtain this information to impersonate you or access your accounts.
While your financial institution may call regarding an account issue, ask about a particular card transaction, or follow up on a request or inquiry, they will never ask for the information listed above.
Knowing what they will and won’t ask for can help you recognize a scam before it’s too late. When in doubt, pause to verify the request through a trusted and secure channel. Remember, it’s always okay to hang up, ignore a message, or take a moment to contact your financial institution directly before taking action.
If you get a call, text, or email from a number claiming to be P1FCU that asks for any of this information, hang up right away. Reach out to us through a secure channel, or visit a local branch.
