Protect Yourself from Gift Card Scams
At COPFCU, your security is our top priority. Recently, there has been an increase in gift card scams targeting individuals through phone calls, emails, and text messages. We want to ensure you are aware of these scams and know how to protect yourself.
What is a Gift Card Scam?
Scammers often pose as trusted organizations or individuals, such as government agencies, well-known companies, or even friends and family. They ask victims to purchase gift cards and share the card numbers and PINs. Once this information is given, the scammer can use the gift card funds, making it nearly impossible to recover the money.
Important Reminders:
- COPFCU and our fraud department will never ask you to purchase gift cards.
- COPFCU will never request your account information over the phone, via email, or through text messages.
- Do not provide personal or financial information to unsolicited callers.
How to Protect Yourself:
- Be skeptical. If someone asks you to buy gift cards and provide the numbers, it is likely a scam.
- Verify the source. If you receive a suspicious call, email, or text, contact the organization directly using a known, official phone number or website.
- Report suspicious activity. If you think you’ve been targeted by a scam, contact the credit union immediately and report it to your local authorities.
For more information on how to protect yourself from scams, please visit our fraud resources page.