{"id":13438,"date":"2023-09-28T12:21:55","date_gmt":"2023-09-28T18:21:55","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.iccu.com\/?p=13438"},"modified":"2025-03-18T09:16:57","modified_gmt":"2025-03-18T15:16:57","slug":"what-scammers-dont-want-you-to-know","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.iccu.com\/blog\/financial-education\/what-scammers-dont-want-you-to-know\/","title":{"rendered":"What Scammers Don\u2019t Want You to Know"},"content":{"rendered":"\n<p>In many ways, the world\u2019s progress has never been better. Every year we make strides in civics, technology, information, and nameless other realms. We truly have more resources at our fingertips than ever before.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Some use those resources for good. Others \u2026 not so much.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Don\u2019t let others\u2019 misuse affect your life. Scammers might be out to get you, but we\u2019re out to get the scammers. Here\u2019s how to protect yourself by catching fraudsters in the act.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"h-check-the-url\">Check the URL<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>Scammers use <a href=\"\/blog\/financial-education\/staying-safe-in-a-cyber-world\/\">sophisticated techniques<\/a> to trick people into going to their sites, and with the rise of AI, it likely won\u2019t get any easier to recognize the fakes. <a href=\"\/blog\/financial-education\/spotting-a-phishing-attempt\/\">But no scam is perfect.<\/a> Some website components are harder to replicate than others \u2014 that\u2019s what you want to investigate first.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>The URL is a great place to start, particularly when you\u2019re sent a link. <\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-lg-font-size\"><mark style=\"background-color:#EBF0EA\" class=\"has-inline-color\"><strong>What is a URL? <\/strong>A URL stands for Uniform Resource Locator, which is  a fancy way of saying &#8220;web address.&#8221; It&#8217;s made up of different parts that tell your computer how to get you what you need. You should know two specific URL components: the protocol, which dictates how you access the site (like &#8220;https:\/\/&#8221;), and the domain, which shows the site&#8217;s location on the internet (like &#8220;google.com&#8221;).<\/mark><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Here\u2019s how to check a URL:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Know what makes a site authentic. <\/strong>Just like your home has an address, a website has a domain. It\u2019s an easy way for people to find and visit websites without remembering a bunch of numbers. Google\u2019s, for instance, is \u201cgoogle.com.&#8221; No one but Google can own that domain. <\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>A subdomain, on the other hand, is a distinct section of a website, like \u201cmail.google.com\u201d (Gmail). You can tell the site is still owned by Google because the domain, &#8220;google,&#8221; comes right before the phrase &#8220;.com.&#8221; <\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Scammers will use subdomains to disguise an otherwise obviously fake website. If you went to \u201cgoogle.mail.com,\u201d for example, you\u2019d actually be going to mail.com\u2019s site, not Google\u2019s.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-green-color has-text-color\"><mark style=\"background-color:rgba(0, 0, 0, 0)\" class=\"has-inline-color has-green-color\"><strong>Quick Tip: <\/strong>If you\u2019re on a financial institution\u2019s website, the domain should reflect the official website. ICCU\u2019s is \u201ciccu.com,\u201d not \u201cicculogin.com,\u201d &#8220;iccu.ebranch.com,&#8221; or any other iteration.<\/mark><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Scan the URL for misspellings or small variations.<\/strong> Scammers often create URLs that mimic well-known websites but with slight variations. For example, they might replace the \u2018o\u2019 with a \u20180\u2019 or use hyphens and underscores to imitate a legitimate site. The URLs &#8220;1ccu.com&#8221; or &#8220;lccu.com&#8221; (with a lowercase L) are both examples of imposter sites.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Look for \u201cHTTPS.\u201d<\/strong> A legitimate website should use \u201cHTTPS\u201d in its URL, especially when handling sensitive info like login credentials or payment details. The \u2018S\u2019 stands for secure, indicating that data exchanged between your browser and the site is encrypted. To check for HTTPS, make sure there\u2019s a padlock icon next to the URL in the browser\u2019s address bar.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-md-font-size\"><em>Read: <\/em><a href=\"\/blog\/financial-education\/protect-small-business-scams\/\"><em>Protect Your Small Business from Scams<\/em> <\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Don\u2019t be fooled by urgency<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>In the fast-paced world of the internet, urgency is a red flag that you may be interacting with a fraud. Scammers capitalize on our instinctive reactions to urgent situations, hoping to catch us off guard and pressure us to make rash decisions.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Recognize urgency scams. <\/strong>These often manifest as a pressing pop-up message, email, text, or call. These messages may claim that your account has been compromised or that your computer is infected with a virus. They use phrases like \u201cAct now!\u201d or \u201cImmediate attention required!\u201d to create a sense of panic.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Remember the implications of a rushed decision. <\/strong>When faced with a crisis, our natural response is to act quickly to resolve the issue. But that\u2019s exactly what phishers are hoping for. Rushed decisions can lead to serious consequences, like a virus or identity theft. Fortunately, it only takes a minute or two to confirm if the situation is a true emergency or a fake.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Stay calm and verify. <\/strong>To protect yourself, it\u2019s essential to remain calm first and foremost. Instead of reacting immediately, take a step back and <a href=\"\/blog\/financial-education\/blog-financial-education-how-to-protect-yourself-from-scams\/\">evaluate the situation<\/a>. Ask yourself whether the message seems like it\u2019s designed to create panic. Legitimate businesses won\u2019t pressure you into making hasty decisions, even when a quick response is needed.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Watch for typos<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>Imposters make errors, too \u2014 both on accident and on purpose. By meticulously paying attention to the details, you can immediately enhance your online security.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Accidental typos<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>You don\u2019t have to be a grammar nerd to spot typos. Instead, pay attention to your gut. If a site or email seems off for a reason you can\u2019t quite name, follow that instinct. Reputable businesses work hard to maintain their brand\u2019s personality and their content\u2019s accuracy. Fakers don\u2019t always hold themselves to that same standard. Check for errors in the contact information, webpage paragraphs, or even in the site\u2019s URL itself. If you see a concerning mistake or awkward language, proceed with caution.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Purposeful typos<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>Scammers register domain names that are intentionally similar to legitimate websites. They often choose domain names with common typos, such as substituting a letter with a similar looking one (i.e. \u201cvvish.com\u201d instead of \u201cwish.com\u201d).<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>They can also exploit your mistakes. If you type a URL in too quickly, for example, your finger might slip and type in \u201cfavebook.com\u201d instead of \u201cfacebook.com.\u201d Imposters rely on those mistakes to lead you to decoy sites. Businesses sometimes fight against this hacking technique by purchasing not only their own domain but similar ones as well. That said, it\u2019s best to slowly type in the URL rather than take a needless risk.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">When in doubt, verify<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>\u201cTrust but verify\u201d are words to live by online. If you\u2019re ever uncertain about information, don\u2019t be afraid to ask a company or person to verify themselves. If they\u2019re legitimate, they won\u2019t be offended.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>If you have any doubt about a message that appears to be from ICCU, call us during business hours at <strong><a href=\"tel:18004565067\">1-800-456-5067<\/a><\/strong> or <a href=\"\/locations\/\">visit your local branch<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">How to verify a phone call<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>Not sure if someone is who they say they are over the phone? Hang up and call back. If the call is from a scammer or solicitor, the number probably won\u2019t work. Politely ask the caller for their full name, organization, and a callback number. A legitimate caller should be willing to provide this information.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>If the caller claims to represent a company or organization, use a trusted source to check their identity. Look up the company\u2019s phone number on their official website or a directory service, then call them to ask for more information on the call you received.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">How to verify a text message<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>First things first: Be cautious when you receive an unsolicited text message, regardless of the message\u2019s content. <strong>Never<\/strong> click a link or send personal information without first checking the sender\u2019s number.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>If you think you\u2019ve received a fake text, don\u2019t reply to it. Responding can confirm to the sender that your number is active, potentially leading to more phishing attempts in the future.<\/p>\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-image\">\n<figure class=\"aligncenter size-full\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"430\" height=\"430\" src=\"https:\/\/www.iccu.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/09\/2-Online-Scam-Protection.webp\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-13440\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.iccu.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/09\/2-Online-Scam-Protection.webp 430w, https:\/\/www.iccu.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/09\/2-Online-Scam-Protection-300x300.webp 300w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 430px) 100vw, 430px\" \/><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Spread the word<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>Fraudsters thrive on uncertainty and misinformation. By telling others about the scams you see, you can prevent others from falling victim to something similar. Here\u2019s who you should tell if you believe you\u2019ve found a scam:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ol style=\"list-style-type:1\" class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><strong>Financial scams: <\/strong>Tell your financial institution immediately, even if you didn\u2019t lose money. ICCU members can forward scams to <strong><a href=\"mailto:scam@iccu.com\">scam@iccu.com<\/a><\/strong> or <strong><a href=\"tel:18004565067\">1-800-456-5067<\/a><\/strong>. If you did share your personal or financial information with the fraudster, shut down your cards with a feature like <a href=\"https:\/\/www.iccu.com\/services\/card-control\/\">CardControl<\/a>, then report the incident to your local law enforcement agency.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Online scams: <\/strong>Report online scams to the <a href=\"https:\/\/reportfraud.ftc.gov\/#\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Federal Trade Commission<\/a> or the <a href=\"https:\/\/www.ic3.gov\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Internet Crime Complaint Center (IC3)<\/a>, which is a partnership between the FBI and National White Collar Crime Center.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Scam calls and texts:<\/strong> Report fake calls and messages to <a href=\"https:\/\/www.usa.gov\/telemarketer-scam-call-complaints#:~:text=texts%20you%20get.-,Scam%20calls%20and%20texts,to%20ReportFraud.ftc.gov.\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">usa.gov.<\/a> If you\u2019re receiving unwanted telemarketing calls, you can register your number on the <a href=\"https:\/\/www.donotcall.gov\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">National Do Not Call Registry<\/a>.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Any scam: <\/strong>Tell your friends and family members about the scams you see. By raising their awareness, you can protect them from similar phishing attempts.<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n\n\n\n<p>Want to learn more about how to strengthen your cybersecurity habits? Check out our <a href=\"https:\/\/www.iccu.com\/security\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Security Center<\/a> or watch our <a href=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/watch?v=4RiSt3aHd9Q\">latest podcast<\/a> to discover more ways you can protect yourself online.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-buttons is-layout-flex wp-block-buttons-is-layout-flex\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-button\"><a class=\"wp-block-button__link wp-element-button\" href=\"\/security\/\">See Security tips<\/a><\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-button is-style-inverted\"><a class=\"wp-block-button__link wp-element-button\" href=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/watch?v=4RiSt3aHd9Q\">Watch the podcast<\/a><\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<br>\n<br>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>In many ways, the world\u2019s progress has never been better. Every year we make strides in civics, technology, information, and [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":5,"featured_media":13439,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"_searchwp_excluded":"","footnotes":""},"categories":[89],"tags":[95,177,214,263,402,414,415,416,417],"class_list":["post-13438","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-financial-education","tag-security","tag-scam","tag-scams","tag-cybersecurity","tag-financial-literacy","tag-cybersecurity-awareness-month","tag-fraud-prevention","tag-hackers","tag-online-protection"],"acf":[],"yoast_head":"<!-- This site is optimized with the Yoast SEO Premium plugin v26.8 (Yoast SEO v26.9) - https:\/\/yoast.com\/product\/yoast-seo-premium-wordpress\/ -->\n<title>What Scammers Don\u2019t Want You to Know - ICCU<\/title>\n<meta name=\"description\" content=\"Scammers might be out to get you, but we\u2019re out to get the scammers. 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