Protect Your Identity & Finances

Fraud & Scam Prevention

Technology makes banking more convenient, but it also gives scammers new ways to target individuals and businesses. At First California Federal Credit Union, we are committed to helping protect your financial information and providing resources to help you recognize and avoid fraud.

Scammers may contact you by phone, email, text message, social media, or even pretend to be someone you know. Their goal is often to create a sense of urgency so you will act before you have time to think.

When in doubt, stop and verify. Never let anyone pressure you into sending money or sharing sensitive information.

Protect Yourself From Fraud & Scams

Monitor Your Accounts Regularly

Review your account activity and statements regularly. If you notice a transaction you do not recognize, contact First California Federal Credit Union as soon as possible.

If you identify a fraudulent or unauthorized transaction, please notify us promptly. Certain types of electronic transactions may have specific reporting timeframes and protections, so do not wait to report suspicious activity.

Using Virtual Branch Online Banking and the First Cal FCU App can help you monitor your accounts and transactions 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.

Never Share Your Security Information

Never give your password, online banking credentials, PIN, one-time passcode, or full account information to someone who contacts you unexpectedly.

First California Federal Credit Union will never ask you to provide a one-time verification code to someone who contacts you unexpectedly. If someone asks you to read a security code back to them, stop and verify the request by contacting us directly using a trusted phone number.

Beware of Phishing, Smishing & Vishing

Scammers use different methods to trick you into revealing personal or financial information:

Phishing: Fraudulent emails designed to steal your information.
Smishing: Fraudulent text messages that contain links or requests for information.
Vishing: Fraudulent phone calls where scammers impersonate a financial institution, government agency, business, or someone you know.

Do not click on unexpected links or attachments. Be cautious of messages that create a sense of urgency, threaten consequences, or ask you to "verify" your account.

Instead of clicking a link in a message, visit the company's official website or use a trusted phone number to contact them directly.

Watch Out for Fake Fraud Alerts

Scammers may impersonate your financial institution and send a text message or call claiming there is suspicious activity on your account. They may ask you to confirm transactions, provide personal information, or share a one-time passcode.

If you receive a suspicious message or call, do not respond or provide information. Contact First California Federal Credit Union directly using a trusted phone number to verify whether the communication is legitimate.

Remember: A legitimate fraud alert should never require you to share your password or one-time security code with an unexpected caller or texter.

Be Careful With Unexpected Payments

Scammers may ask you to send money through wire transfers, payment apps, cryptocurrency, gift cards, or other difficult-to-reverse payment methods.

Common scams include:

Someone pretending to be a family member or friend who needs money urgently.
A fake government or law enforcement official threatening arrest or legal action.
A scammer claiming you have won a prize or sweepstakes.
A fake online seller requesting payment before sending an item.
A romance scam where someone you met online asks for financial help.
An investment opportunity that promises unusually high or guaranteed returns.
A scammer claiming you accidentally received money and asking you to send it back.

If someone tells you that you must pay immediately, keep the transaction secret, or use a specific payment method, stop and verify before sending money.

Protect Your Debit and Credit Cards

When using your card in stores, restaurants, ATMs, or other locations:

Keep your card in sight whenever possible.
Protect your PIN when entering it.
Be aware of your surroundings when using an ATM.
Never share your PIN with anyone.
Review your account regularly for unauthorized transactions.
Contact us immediately if your card is lost, stolen, or compromised.

Shop Safely Online

Only make purchases from websites you trust. Be cautious when shopping through unfamiliar websites, social media advertisements, or online marketplaces.

Before entering payment or personal information:

Verify the website address carefully.
Watch for misspelled or unusual website addresses.
Be cautious of websites offering prices that seem too good to be true.
Avoid entering sensitive information on public or unsecured Wi-Fi networks.
Keep your computer, phone, browser, and security software updated.

Important: The presence of "https" or a lock icon does not guarantee that a website is legitimate. Scammers can also create secure websites. Always verify that you are visiting the correct website before entering personal or financial information.

Be Aware of Impersonation Scams

Scammers can make themselves appear to be someone you trust. They may impersonate:

Your financial institution
A government agency
Law enforcement
A family member or friend
Your employer
A utility company
A technology company
A delivery service

Some scammers may even use artificial intelligence to create convincing voices, messages, or images.

If a request seems unusual or urgent, independently verify it. Contact the person or organization using a phone number or website you already know to be legitimate.

Protect Your Online Accounts

Use strong, unique passwords for your financial and email accounts. Enable multi-factor authentication whenever it is available.

Never reuse the same password across multiple accounts. If a scammer obtains a password you use elsewhere, they may attempt to access your other accounts.

Consider using a reputable password manager to help create and securely store unique passwords.

Family & Emergency Scams

In a family or emergency scam, a scammer may pretend to be your child, grandchild, relative, or friend. They may claim they are in trouble and urgently need money for an emergency, medical bill, car accident, or other unexpected expense.

Scammers may use information from social media to make their story sound believable. With artificial intelligence, they may even create convincing voice recordings that sound like someone you know.

If someone contacts you with an urgent request for money, take a moment to verify the situation. Contact your family member or friend directly using a phone number you already have—not the number provided in the message. You can also contact another trusted family member to confirm the story before sending any money.

Dating & Romance Scams

Romance scammers build relationships with victims through dating apps, social media, or online messaging. After gaining your trust, they may ask you for money because of a supposed emergency, medical expense, travel problem, or investment opportunity.

Be cautious if someone you have never met in person asks you to send money, share financial information, or make an investment on their behalf. Never send money or provide your banking credentials to someone you met online simply because they claim to love or trust you.

If someone you've met online asks you to keep your relationship or financial transactions secret, or pressures you to send money quickly, it may be a scam. Stop communicating and take time to verify the situation before taking any action.

Credit Union Fraud Monitoring

First California Federal Credit Union monitors your ATM, Visa® Debit Card, and Visa® Credit Card activity for potentially fraudulent transactions 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.

Our fraud monitoring systems may identify unusual activity, such as transactions outside your normal spending patterns, unexpected geographic activity, sudden changes in transaction behavior, or patterns associated with emerging fraud trends.

If we detect potentially suspicious activity, we may contact you to verify whether a transaction was authorized.

If you receive a fraud alert from First California Federal Credit Union, carefully review the message and follow the instructions provided. When in doubt, contact us directly using a trusted phone number to confirm the alert is legitimate.

Your prompt response can help us determine whether a transaction is authorized and may help prevent further unauthorized activity.

If You Think You Have Been Scammed

If you believe you have provided personal information to a scammer or your account has been compromised:

Contact First California Federal Credit Union immediately.
Change your passwords, especially if you shared or reused a compromised password.
Contact your card issuer if your debit or credit card information may have been exposed.
Monitor your accounts and credit reports for suspicious activity.
Report the scam to the appropriate government agency or law enforcement organization.

For information about current scams and to report fraud, visit the Federal Trade Commission at ReportFraud.ftc.gov.

You can also learn more about common scams and ways to protect yourself through the Federal Trade Commission's Consumer Advice.

Remember: Stop. Think. Verify.

Scammers rely on urgency, fear, and trust to get you to act quickly.

Before sending money, clicking a link, or sharing personal information, pause and verify.

If you didn't expect the message, don't click the link.
If someone pressures you to act immediately, slow down.
If you're unsure, contact us directly using a trusted phone number.

Your best defense against fraud is awareness. Stay alert, protect your information, and when something doesn't feel right, stop and verify.

OTHER RESOURCES:

Consumer Fraud
www.usdoj.gov

Federal Trade Commission Consumer Response Center
www.ftc.gov

Internet Fraud Complaint Center
www.fbi.gov

Identity Theft Resource Center
www.idtheftcenter.org
1-858-693-7935

NCUA Fraud
www.IC3.gov

Social Security Administration Report Fraud
1-800-269-0271