Tips for Safer Shopping

While shopping it’s important to protect yourself and your money. These are a few of the newest and most common scams you should watch for from the National Credit Union Association Fraud Prevention Center.

Package Delivery Scam
Be wary of emails or text with links about a “failed delivery attempt” from FedEx, UPS and USPS. These messages instruct customers to click on a link to find out when they can expect delivery. The link activates a virus, which can steal your personal information.  Remember, Arrowhead will never ask for your information via email or text.

Wi-Fi Twinning
Using your smart devices at Wi-Fi hotspots in coffee shops, libraries, airports, hotels, universities and other public places is convenient but often not secure. Scammers can obtain your information by putting out a Wi-Fi signal that looks just like a complimentary one, also known as the "evil twin". When you use a Wi-Fi connection in a public place it’s best not to use apps or websites that require personal or financial information.

Online Gift Card Scam
Gift cards purchased through online auction sites are often fraudulent or stolen. To ensure that you are not scammed out of your holiday money, it is safest to purchase gift cards directly from the merchant or retail store.

Phishing and SMiShing Schemes
In phishing schemes, a fraudster poses as a legitimate entity by using email and scam websites to obtain victims’ personal information, such as account numbers, user names, passwords, etc. SMiShing is the act of sending fraudulent text messages to bait a victim into revealing personal information. Remember, Arrowhead never asks you for your personal information.

Charity Scams
It is important to recognize the warning signs of charity scams to protect yourself and your good intentions. The Internal Revenue Service (IRS) website has a search feature that allows consumers to find legitimate, qualified charities to which donations may be tax-deductible. Also, visit the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) website to learn more about charity fraud and scams.

Fraudulent Classified Ad and Auction Sales
Internet criminals post classified ads and auctions for products they do not have and make the scam work by using stolen credit cards. Shoppers may help avoid these scams by using caution and not providing financial information directly to the seller, as fraudulent sellers will use this information to purchase items for their schemes.