WATCH: Launch Credit Union’s Fraud Manager Provides Tips and Tricks to Avoid Scammers

By  //  July 3, 2022

SPACE COAST DAILY TV SPECIAL PRESENTATION

ABOVE VIDEO: Launch Credit Union’s Fraud Manager speaks with Space Coast Daily’s Karina Connor

BREVARD COUNTY, FLORIDA – In today’s high-tech world, it is vital that everyone takes steps to protect their privacy information from scammers. Launch Credit Union‘s fraud manager recently visited with Space Coast Daily’s Karina Connor to layout some tips to avoid fraud and scams.

At Launch Credit Union, they offer real-time fraud alerts.

With fraud text alerts, you can help prevent fraudulent transactions from occurring on your debit and credit cards. Launch does not charge you for this service; however, you may incur messaging charges from your wireless carrier.

With fraud text alerts, YOU identify if a transaction is fraudulent or not. If you confirm fraud, you’ll receive a response back that asks you to “call our Fraud Prevention Department” and lists the number. If it’s not fraud, simply reply “N” to the text and that’s it!

FRAUD TEXT ALERTS:

■ Protection and Security

■ Fast notification of suspicious activity

■ No enrollment required

■ Please be sure to verify your contact information (phone number and email) is correct in our system.

■ Don’t click on unfamiliar links

■ Do not open emails claiming to be from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).

■ Ignore online offers for treatments and vaccines (There currently are none)

ABOVE VIDEO: 4 Ways Scammers Will Try & Impersonate Your Bank

Phone Number Spoofing

One of the scams addressed by Launch Credit Union is phone number spoofing.

Phone number spoofing occurs when someone disguises their real phone number by hiding behind someone else’s phone number, which displays on the phone screen, to make calls. Scammers spoof phone numbers that are recognized as local or similar to phone numbers that are used often by the victim.

Never give personal information or banking information to anyone over the phone. Beware, the scammer will say anything to make the victim believe they are a legitimate legal operation.

Protect yourself from scammers by never answering a phone call from a number you don’t know, and never call a number you don’t know back if you missed the phone call and they didn’t leave a voicemail message.

Phishing

Phishing is when someone uses fake emails or texts – even phone calls – to get you to share valuable personal information, like account numbers, Social Security numbers, or your login IDs and passwords.

Scammers use this information to steal your money, your identity, or both. They may also try to get access to your computer or network.

If you click on a link in one of these emails or texts, they can install ransomware or other programs that lock you out of your data and let them steal your personal information.

Scammers often use familiar company names or pretend to be someone you know. They pressure you to act now – or something bad will happen.

Launch Credit Union was officially chartered in April of 1963, and since then we’ve been providing quality financial products and exceptional service to our members for more than 50 years.

They look forward to helping you go beyond to reach your financial goals. Stop by any of their conveniently located branches to open your savings and checking account, and learn about the many products and services Launch Credit Union has that could help save you time and money.

Romance Scams

ABOVE VIDEO: Don’t End Up Broke & Broken-Hearted From of Romance Scams

What do we mean by romance scams? We’re not talking about the person you thought was “the one” but ended up being a dud.

We’re talking about people you meet online, who lavish you with attention … and then ask for money.

Usually they want the money by wire transfer or gift card. They might claim they need it for a medical emergency or to come visit you. Then they take your money, but there’s no surgery and no trip.

Romance scammers are hard at work wooing people on dating apps and social media. They may lift photos to create an attractive profile or even steal the identity of a real person.

Just like with real romances, it may take them some time to gain your trust, but the scammer’s payoff can be big. Last year, people reported a median loss of $2,600 from romance scams.

Romance scams involve scammers preying on vulnerable online daters who are looking for love. Scammers convince a user they’re in love and that’s where it all begins. From there, scammers start asking for money and lots of it.

Excuses for not meeting in-person include:
– living overseas
– stuck in the hospital
– on an oilfield
– in the military
– working as doctor with an international organization

Scammers will come up with all types of reasons for needing money which is how some people are fooled. They may seem like legitimate reasons, but they’re not. These scenarios including:
– Visa and travel documents
– Plane tickets
– Medical expenses
– Gambling debts
– Custom fees
– For relatives

Scammers want money fast with no strings attached, whether it’s one time or multiple times, Eveline says people can drain life savings before they know it. The top three ways scammers want money:
– Wire, Bank, or Credit Transfer
– Re loadable cards like MoneyPak
– Gift cards like Amazon, iTunes, or Google Play

Launch Credit Union

Launch Credit Union offers many online and electronic services so that you can access your money anywhere, any time. But for those who prefer face-to-face service, their doors are always open.

Together we can find the right account, services, and loans to help you Go Beyond.

For more information, you can contact Launch Credit Union at 321-455-9400 or 800-662-5257. You can also visit the website at LaunchCU.com

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