Credit unions nationwide have been seeing an increase in scammers targeting members using sophisticated tactics to trick them into revealing sensitive information.

It is important that you know that we are here to protect you and we will NEVER:

• Text you asking for personal or account information
• Email you asking for debit or credit cards details
• Call you requesting your PIN or online banking password
• Ask you to provide the one-time passcode (MFA) sent to your phone or email
• Visit your home to collect information or verify your account details

If you receive any suspicious communication, please contact us immediately by calling 1-800-730-7771 or email us at info@newdirectionsccu.com.  Please do not send sensitive information via email. 

Here are some common scams and ways for you to protect yourself.

Unexpected Contact

An “unexpected contact scam” is when a fraudster reaches out to you via phone, text, or email pretending to be a trusted organization or person, and attempts to trick you into giving them money or personal details.

If you are unexpectedly contacted by phone, email, text, direct message, or pop-up with a request for personal information or money, be cautious. NDCCU will never text, email, call, or visit you at home to ask for personal or account information. Remember to never click on links or download attachments from unknown sources.

Pressure to Act Now

A “pressure to act now” scam relies on manufactured urgency and fear to bypass your logical thinking—key tactics include fake emergencies, authority impersonation, and demands for instant payment.

If you receive an alarming phone call, email, or text that pressures you to act immediately and plays on your emotions, be cautious. Scammers may pose as employees from familiar organizations, such as NDCCU, claiming there is a problem that needs urgent attention. Do not take any action unless you have verified the identity of the person who contacted you and confirmed the legitimacy of their story or request.

Unusual Payment Requests

An “unusual payment request scam” works by tricking you into sending money through non-traditional methods like gift cards, cryptocurrency, or wire transfers by manufacturing a false emergency and demanding immediate action.

If you are asked to pay in an unusual way, such as with gift cards, Bitcoin, wire transfers, or digital currency, be cautious. NDCCU will never ask you to transfer money to anyone, including yourself, and will never request a money transfer to resolve fraud detected on your account.

Request for Personal or Account Information

A “request for personal or account information” scam—commonly known as phishing—works by tricking you into sharing sensitive details like passwords, account numbers, or your Social Security number. Scammers do this by pretending to be a trusted company or government agency through fake emails, text messages, or phone calls.

If you are asked to provide personal or account information, such as passwords, account numbers, PINs, account authorization codes, or your Social Security number, be cautious. When in doubt, don’t give it out. NDCCU will never text, email, or call you requesting this information.

When it Sounds Too Good to Be True…

A “too good to be true” scam works by using extreme bargains, high-paying jobs, or massive investment returns to trigger strong greed or excitement, which blinds victims to obvious warning signs. Scammers hook people using fake urgency, steal their money or personal details, and then vanish before the fraud is discovered.

If you are offered a free product or a ‘get rich quick’ opportunity that seems too good to be true, be cautious. If something sounds too good to be true, it probably is.

Money Mule Scams

A “money mule” scam starts when you meet someone online or on social media. The scammer might offer you a job or say you’ve won a sweepstakes. Or, perhaps you met someone online and you have started a romantic relationship. Whatever the story, next they want to send you money. They may ask for your account information to deposit the funds through Automated Clearing House (ACH) or remote deposit, or they may mail you a physical check.

Once the money is in your account, the scammer will ask you to send the funds to an individual you do not know. They may ask you to send cash, purchase gift cards, wire money, or purchase cryptocurrency. They tell you to keep an amount for yourself as a commission.

It is important that you NEVER cash a check for someone you don’t know!