Scam Awareness

Fraudulent Phone Calls and Texts

Some members have reported receiving calls that appear to originate from Y-12 Federal Credit Union.  Please remember that phone numbers can be spoofed. Even though a call appears to come from us, that doesn’t mean you are actually talking to a credit union representative. 

Y-12 FCU will NEVER call you to request sensitive information, including your card number, PIN, or 3-digit CVV code.  We already have this information, so at most we may ask you to verify the last few digits.  We will also not ask for any codes that are texted to your phone.  Callers asking for this information are scammers attempting to trick you into providing these details. 

In addition, some members have reported receiving texts stating a payment was unsuccessful, their card is now blocked and to call them to have it unblocked.  Do not respond to these types of texts. These are also scammers trying to trick you into providing your financial information.

When in doubt, hang up and call the credit union at 865-482-1043 or 800-482-1043. If you believe you have already given your information to someone in error, please call us to report the incident, review your transactions, and replace your card if necessary. 

If you receive a call from anyone asking for your full debit or credit card number, expiration date, your 3-digit CVV code, or your PIN, please hang up and call us immediately at 865-482-1043 or 800-482-1043 to report the incident, review your transactions, and report the card information stolen if necessary.
 
After hours numbers for debit and credit cards is 866-839-7482.

Gift Card Scam

Gift cards have become a popular way for scammers to steal money from you. That’s because gift cards are like cash: if you buy a gift card and someone uses it, you probably cannot get your money back. Gift cards are for gifts, not payments. Anyone who demands payment by gift card is more than likely a scammer.

Someone might call and claim to be from the IRS, collecting back taxes or fines. The caller might say they are from tech support, asking for money to fix your computer. The caller might even say they are a family member with an emergency and needs money right now.  But what they all have in common is an urgent need for the member to send money right away and use gift cards to do it. Once the card is bought, the caller will then demand the gift card number and PIN on the back of the card. Those numbers give them immediate access to the money loaded onto the card. And once they’ve done that, the scammers and the money are gone, usually without a trace.
 
If you believe you have received a similar phone call, please call your local authorities immediately. 
 
If you paid a scammer with a gift card, tell the company that issued the card as soon as possible. When you contact the company, tell them the gift card was used in a scam. Ask them if money is still on the card, and if they can refund your money. If you act quickly enough, the company might be able to get your money back. Be aware that some companies will not return any money even if the gift card hasn't been used. Remember to keep the gift card itself, and keep the gift card receipt.

With the ever-growing popularity of online shopping and online communications, you should always have your guard up in the cyberworld. Criminals will use any situation to their advantage–especially when it comes to annual holidays. Below you’ll find a few examples of commonly used seasonal and holiday scams, and what you can do to protect yourself.

Social Media Deals and Sales

All social media advertisements are not created equal. A “paid advertisement” may seem trustworthy but be warned: Anyone can pay to put an ad on social media. During holidays and popular shopping seasons, fraudsters buy ads that offer deals for items that you’re more-than-likely interested in–considering social media ads target the buyer market. The ads typically contain phishing links that lead to fraudulent websites where they will steal your credit card data. Even if the malicious ad is reported and removed, the bad guys typically only need one victim to fall for their trick to make it worth their investment.

Always hover over links and URLs before clicking to check whether the URL will take you to a dangerous or unexpected site. If a social media ad appears to be from a company you’re familiar with, check the company’s website instead of clicking on links from the ad.

Fake Shipping Notifications

To check the legitimacy of these types of claims, always login to your online account or service through your browser—not through links in unexpected emails.

Travel Deals and Offers

Scammers know that their potential victims travel for holidays throughout the year. Cybercriminals send emails offering fake travel deals from well-known travel sites. They’re even known to create phony websites for cheap hotels and flights so they can rob you of your money.
When something seems too good to be true, it probably is. Never click on links in unexpected emails. Before booking through an unfamiliar service, do your research and ensure the company is legitimate.

Knowledge Is Power

Learn all the ways scam artists and identity thieves can target consumers. Arm yourself with the tools to identify a fraud or scam and what to do if you become a victim of fraud.  

Warning Sign Reminders

Y-12 FCU is dedicated to helping you protect yourself from phone fraud. Should you receive a suspicious call, the best course of action is to hang up and contact the credit union at 865-482-1043 or
800-482-1043.  A fraudulent caller might:

• Request payment by gift card, wire transfer, Venmo, Cash App or other payment services.

• Ask for your Online Banking username or password, card number, PIN, CVV code or other sensitive information.

• Request direct access to your computer.

If you believe you have already given your information to someone in error, please call us to report the incident, and review your transactions. 


Here are a few tips to remember:

• Never give personal or financial information to an unknown caller, regardless of who he or she claims to be.  Don't give in to intimidation or threats.

• Never give your full card number, PIN, or security code on the back of your card to someone who contacts you by phone, email, or text.

• Never click on links or open attachments in emails unless you know who sent them and what they are.

• Y-12 FCU will NEVER call you to request sensitive information, including your card number, PIN, or CVV code.  We already have this information, so at most we may ask you to verify the last few digits.  We will also not ask for any codes that are texted to your phone.