Protect Yourself Against Scams

August 15, 2022

Text message scams, also known as “smishing”, are on the rise. OU Credit Union will never ask for your PIN, access code, or other sensitive financial information through text or email. Learn about smishing and how you can protect yourself from fraudsters.

 

 

What is Smishing?

Smishing is when individuals fraudulently pose as a trusted institution, such as OUCU or MSUFCU, in an attempt to retrieve personal and financial information about you. This fraudulent behavior occurs over text messages.

 

A common theme smishing messages have is the call of urgency, either scaring you with a problem, or pushing you toward a prize. They also may contain external links that scammers urge you to click.

 

Familiarizing yourself with these signs is a great start in protecting yourself against fraudulent behavior.

 

What Happens if I Receive a Smishing Text?

If you receive a message appearing to be from OUCU or another trusted institution that you think could be a smishing attempt, do not reply or click on any links within the message.

 

Then, it is important to notify OUCU or the other institution immediately. Receiving a suspicious text message does not always indicate a potential scam, but it is best to take precautions and report these types of messages directly to the Credit Union.

 

Tips for Keeping Your Account Safe

While OUCU works to ensure your account is safe 24/7, there are also ways you can make sure your financial information is protected. Here are three:

-       Create a strong username and password that is unique to you

-       Don’t provide your information to others if the communication was not initiated by you

-       Utilize safety features your financial institution provides, especially when making purchases online (like OUCU’s CVVKey^TM)

 

OUCU also provides information on ways to protect yourself from fraud with our Fraud Prevention Series Blog found at oucreditunion.org/blog and other resources and tips at oucreditunion.org/securitycenter.

 

 

Reminder: OU Credit Union will never call you asking for personal or sensitive information. Please notify us if you receive a suspicious call, email, or text message from someone claiming to be from OUCU. For more tips to recognize fraud, visit oucreditunion.org/securitycenter.

 

Tags: Security

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