SUMMARY: In today’s digital banking age, the convenience of online transactions and communications comes with its fair share of risks.

Of the many types of fraud impacting consumers daily, one particular technique that has been impacting our members lately is something known as spoofing fraud.

What is Spoofing Fraud?

• Spoofing fraud occurs when a scammer masquerades as a legitimate entity to steal personal information, money, or both. This can happen across various platforms:
• Caller ID Spoofing Scammers disguise their phone number to appear as if a trusted organization or government agency is calling. We've seen a big uptick in this activity with fraudsters spoofing the Credit Union's 800 number or other familiar numbers.
• Email Spoofing Fraudulent emails appear to be from reputable companies, but they're asking you to provide personal information or click on malicious links.
• Website Spoofing Fake websites mimic legitimate ones but are designed to trick you into entering your personal or financial details.
• SMS Spoofing Similar to email spoofing, these are texts that appear to be from known contacts or organizations, urging you to take some action.

How to Avoid Spoofing Fraud

Here are some tips to keep in mind:

1. Don't give out personal information over the phone.
   Remember, the Credit Union will never ask for sensitive information through insecure channels. When in doubt, hang up and contact us directly to ensure you're speaking to a Credit Union representative.
2. Verify the source.
   Always double-check the sender’s details in emails or the URL of a website. Look out for subtle misspellings or incorrect domain names.
3. Do not click on suspicious links.
   If an email or text message seems odd, do not click on any links or attachments. These could be gateways to downloading malware onto your device.
4. Enhance your security settings.
   Make sure your devices are protected with the latest antivirus software and that your online accounts have strong, unique passwords.
5. Educate yourself and others.
   Stay informed about the latest spoofing scams and share this knowledge with friends and family. Awareness is a powerful tool against fraud.

Stay safe and stay skeptical.

Source: This article originally appeared on centsmagazine.com.