Protect Yourself from Romance Scams

Valentine’s Day is just around the corner. Protect your heart and your wallet this season by learning how to spot and avoid a Romance Scam.

What Are Romance Scams?

Romance scams, also known as “catfishing” scams, are a type of online fraud where criminals create fake romantic relationships with the intent of manipulating victims into sending money or providing personal information. 

With its emphasis on love and connection, Valentine’s Day provides a perfect backdrop for romance scammers to exploit vulnerable individuals. The desire for companionship and the pressure to create memorable experiences can sometimes cloud judgment, making people more susceptible to online deception.

Tactics Leveraged by Romance Scammers

Romance scammers employ various tactics to manipulate and deceive individuals for financial gain. It’s important to be aware of these tactics to protect yourself from falling victim to such scams.

1. Pseudo-Romantic Gestures

Scammers may use the allure of Valentine’s Day to intensify their deceit, claiming they want to make the occasion special by sending gifts or planning virtual celebrations.

2. Fake Declarations of Love

Scammers often accelerate their efforts to declare love and commitment, taking advantage of heightened emotions during Valentine’s Day.

3. Bogus Gift Requests

Scammers may request financial assistance for supposed Valentine’s Day surprises, exploiting the generosity and goodwill of their victims.

Protect Your Heart and Wallet

1. Stay Skeptical of Strangers Online. Be cautious when engaging with individuals you’ve recently met online, especially around Valentine’s Day. Scammers often exploit the emotional atmosphere and intensify efforts during this season.
2. Verify Their Identity. Use reverse image searches or other tools to confirm the authenticity of their profile pictures.
3. Avoid Financial Transactions. Never send money to someone you haven’t met in person, regardless of the occasion. Legitimate partners respect your boundaries and won’t pressure you into financial transactions.
4. Educate Yourself and Others. Spread awareness about the risks of romance scams, especially during Valentine’s Day. Share information about common tactics and red flags to help protect your friends and those you love.
5. Report Scams. If you suspect you’re dealing with a romance scammer, report the incident to the platform where you met them and to your local authorities. This not only helps protect yourself but also prevents others from falling victim to the same deception.

While Valentine’s Day is a time to celebrate love and connection, it’s essential to approach online relationships with a discerning eye. Romance scams can happen to anyone, and awareness can be your greatest line of defense. By staying vigilant, questioning red flags and sharing information, you can protect yourself and your loved ones from falling victim to a romance scam.

Beware of “Phantom Hacker” Scam

FBI Warns of New “Phantom Hacker” Scam

The FBI is warning consumers of a growing financial scam that’s being referred to as “The Phantom Hacker.”

The Phantom Hacker Scam: How it Works

According to the FBI, fraudsters are impersonating technology, banking, and government officials in an effort to convince victims that foreign hackers have gained access to their accounts. The Phantom Hacker scam is often perpetrated in three major steps:

Step 1: Tech Support Imposter.

In the first step, a scammer posing as a customer service representative from a well-known tech company will contact the victim through a phone call, text message, email, or pop-up window on the victim’s computer. They will direct the victim to install software on their computer that will allow the scammer remote access. The scammer pretends to run a virus scan on the victim’s computer and falsely claims the computer has a virus or is at risk of being hacked.

Next, the scammer requests the victim open their financial accounts to determine whether there have been unauthorized charges – a tactic the scammer uses to determine which account is more lucrative for targeting. The scammer tells the victim they will receive a call with further instructions from the fraud department of their financial institution.

Step 2: Financial Institution Imposter.

In the second step, a scammer poses as a representative of the financial institution mentioned above and contacts the victim. The scammer informs the victim that their computer and financial accounts have been accessed by a foreign hacker, and in order to protect their accounts they must move their money to a “safe” third-party account, such as an account with the Federal Reserve or another U.S. Government agency.

The victim is directed to transfer money via a wire transfer, cash, or wire conversion to cryptocurrency, often directly to overseas recipients. The victim is also told not to inform anyone of the real reason they are moving their money. The scammer may instruct the victim to send multiple transactions over a span of days or months.

Step 3: U.S. Government Imposter.

In the third step, the victim may be contacted by a scammer posing as the Federal Reserve or another U.S. Government agency. If the victim becomes suspicious, the scammer may send an email or a letter on what appears to be official U.S. Government letterhead to legitimize the scam. The scammer will continue to emphasize the victim’s funds are “unsafe” and they must be moved to a new “alias” account for protection until the victim concedes. Victims often suffer the loss of entire savings, retirement, and investment accounts under the guise of “protecting” their assets.

Protecting Yourself from Phantom Hacker Fraud

To protect yourself and loved ones from Phantom Hacker fraud, it’s essential to be aware of some common red flags:

• Unsolicited Communications. Be cautious of unexpected emails, phone calls, or messages from sources claiming to be official organizations. These unsolicited communications often contain malicious content.

• Urgent or Threatening Language. Scammers often use high-pressure tactics, claiming that immediate action is required, such as threatening legal consequences if you don’t comply.

• Requests for Personal Information. Legitimate organizations like the U.S. Government or your financial institution will never request sensitive personal information such as your Social Security numbers or financial details, via email or phone. They will also never request that you send money via wire transfer, cryptocurrency or a prepaid gift card.

• Suspicious Links. Avoid clicking on links in emails or messages unless you are sure of their authenticity. Phantom Hacker scammers often use convincing website replicas to trick victims.

• Too Good to Be True Offers. If an offer or opportunity seems too good to be true, it probably is. Scammers often dangle enticing rewards to lure victims.

COPFCU will never call, text or email you asking for personal or account information. If you receive a call, text or email appearing to be from COPFCU asking you to provide personal information, please do not reply or click on any links. Instead, call us directly to verify at 513.381.2677.

5 Steps to Help Safeguard Yourself Against Fraud

The Growing Concern of Fraud

Fraud continues to be a growing concern for Americans, with no signs of slowing down. In a world where everyone is at risk, it’s crucial to take proactive steps to safeguard yourself against fraud. While there’s no foolproof way to eliminate this threat entirely, being informed and vigilant can significantly lower your risk.

According to the Identity Theft Research Center (ITRC) Annual Data Breach Report, a staggering 422 million individuals had their data compromised in the U.S. in 2022. Furthermore, the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) reported that Ohio experienced nearly 14,000 cybercrime attacks in the same year, making the Buckeye State seventh in the nation for personal fraud.

As technology advances, so do the tactics employed by fraudsters. Recent reports from the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) have uncovered thousands of fraudulent domains linked to multiple texting scams. These scams, collectively known as “smishing,” involve fraudulent text messages that impersonate a consumer’s financial institution. These messages aim to trick recipients into revealing their account numbers or other personally identifiable information.

5 Tips to Safeguard Yourself Against Fraud

It’s essential to stay informed and take proactive steps to safeguard yourself against fraud. Here are 5 tips to help you safeguard your personal information in 2023:

1. Verify Text Messages

Be cautious when receiving unsolicited text messages, especially those requesting sensitive information. Contact your financial institution directly using official contact information to verify the message’s authenticity.

2. Stay Informed

Stay updated on the latest fraud trends and scams through reliable sources such as government agencies, consumer protection websites, and news outlets.

3. Protect Your Personal Information

Safeguard your personal and financial information by using strong, unique passwords, enabling multi-factor authentication, and regularly monitoring your accounts for suspicious activity.

4. Educate Yourself

Familiarize yourself with common fraud tactics like phishing, smishing, and vishing (voice phishing). Learn to recognize the signs of a potential scam.

5. Report Suspicious Activity

If you encounter a suspected fraud attempt or become a victim, report it to the relevant authorities immediately. Prompt reporting can help prevent further harm and aid in the investigation.

Conclusion

By remaining vigilant, staying well-informed, and implementing proactive security measures, you can effectively lower your chances of becoming a victim of fraud in 2023.