Don’t fall for the fake: How to spot financial institution spoofing

Fraudsters are getting sneakier by the day – and one of their tricks is spoofing. Spoofing is when scammers make it look like they’re calling, texting, or emailing you from a trusted source, like Rize Credit Union. And unfortunately, it works all too often.

What does spoofing look like?

Here’s how it usually plays out:

• You get a phone call or text that appears to be from your financial institution’s phone number or a familiar email address.
• The message might say there’s been suspicious activity on your account, or urgent action is needed to prevent fraud.
• Then they ask you to verify personal details, send money, or click a link.

Sounds official, right? That’s exactly the point. These scammers rely on your trust – and quick reactions – to get what they want.

Red flags to watch for

Even if the caller ID or email looks legitimate, these signs should raise suspicion:

• A sense of urgency or fear – “Act now or your account will be locked!”
• Requests for personal info like your PIN, password, or verification code
• Links to unfamiliar websites
• Poor grammar or awkward phrasing

What to do instead

If you ever receive a message or call that doesn’t feel quite right:

1. Don’t respond. Hang up or delete the message.
2. Don’t click links or give out personal info – even if it looks legit.
3. Contact us directly using the number on your card or our website.
4. Report the scam. You can forward suspicious texts or emails to ftc.gov, or let us know directly so we can take steps to protect your account and others.

Trust your instincts (and verify!)

Spoofing is meant to confuse you – but a healthy dose of skepticism can keep your information safe. When in doubt, always reach out to us directly. We’re here to help, and we’ll never ask for sensitive details over text, email, or phone.

Stay sharp out there – and share this info with friends and family to help keep everyone safe.