Beware of Spoofing Scams: Protect Your Personal Information

2/28/2025

Imagine receiving a call from what appears to be UT Federal Credit Union. The caller claims there’s been suspicious activity on your account and urgently requests your personal information to secure your funds. You check the caller ID, and it shows UTFCU’s real phone number. Everything seems legitimate, but there’s a catch: it’s a scam.

This fraudulent tactic is known as spoofing, and it’s becoming more common. Scammers use specialized technology to disguise their phone numbers, making it look like they are calling from a trusted source—like UTFCU or another financial institution. Their goal? To trick you into giving up sensitive personal and financial information.

How Spoofing Works

Scammers use spoofing techniques to impersonate organizations you trust. Here’s how they operate:

  1. They fake the caller ID – Fraudsters manipulate the number that appears on your screen to make it look like a real UTFCU phone number.

  2. They pretend to be UTFCU representatives – Scammers may claim that there’s been suspicious activity on your account, that your card has been compromised, or that you need to verify personal details.

  3. They pressure you to act quickly – They’ll often use urgency to get you to provide information like your online banking login, PIN or card details.

  4. They request money transfers – A common tactic is convincing victims to move their money to a “safe” account, which actually belongs to the scammer.

How to Protect Yourself

At UT Federal Credit Union, your security is our top priority. Keep these points in mind:

  • UTFCU will never call you and ask for your username, password, PIN, or other personal details. If someone claiming to be from UTFCU requests this information, hang up immediately.

  • If a call seems suspicious, don’t engage. Hang up and contact UTFCU directly at our official number listed on our website.

  • Never transfer money at the request of an unsolicited caller. Your financial institution will never ask you to move funds to a “safe” or “secure” account.

  • Be cautious of caller ID. Just because the call appears to come from UTFCU doesn’t mean it’s legitimate.

  • Report suspicious calls. If you believe you have been targeted by a spoofing scam, report it to UTFCU immediately.

What to Do If You’ve Been Targeted

If you believe you have shared personal or financial information with a scammer, take action immediately:

  1. Contact UTFCU – Let us know as soon as possible so we can help secure your accounts.

  2. Change your passwords – Update your Digital Banking credentials and any other affected accounts.

  3. Monitor your statements – Keep an eye out for unauthorized transactions and report and suspicious activity.

Spoofing scams are on the rise, but by staying informed and vigilant, you can protect yourself from becoming a victim. When in doubt, trust your instincts and verify before you act. Your security matters to us!

 



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