How to Spot Fake Text Messages
| Fake texts, emails, and phone calls are rampant these days. Here’s some valuable information from Patelco Credit Union. “We do everything we can to educate you on the latest scams, and today we’re talking about fake text messages. Fraudsters are using fake text messages to steal information and money. Increasingly, they’re pretending to be Patelco or another financial institution or company when they message you. Here are the 6 signs that a text message may be fake: 1. It comes from a 9- or 10-digit number. Most text messages from financial institutions and legitimate companies will come from a short code, typically 5 or 6 digits long. 2. It is unexpected. While some unexpected texts are valid, you should stop and think before replying or clicking whenever you receive a text message that is unexpected. 3. It contains a link. Valid messages may contain links, but stop and think before tapping or clicking. You should be especially suspicious if it’s a link you’re not expecting. 4. It requests any of the personal information listed below. We will NEVER text or call and ask you for: • your card PIN • your full card number • your online banking User ID (username) • your online banking password • the CVV (3 digits) on the back of your card • your full account number 5. It asks for a one-time passcode. Patelco and other financial institutions use one-time passcodes to verify your identity, but we only send them when you ask for them or when you first reach out to us. We’ll never send one that’s unsolicited – and we’ll never text or call to ask you for a one-time passcode! 6. There are misspellings or other errors. Spam emails and fake texts often contain misspellings or other errors – which are often dead giveaways that the message is coming from fraudsters. As always, if you receive a suspicious call or text, don’t reply or answer. To learn more about keeping yourself safe from fraud, visit patelco.org/Fraud. Sincerely, Erik Welch VP — Fraud Prevention Patelco Credit Union” |
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