New scam alert: spoofing

A unique type of technology now enables fraudsters to fake the number they are calling from by making a false number appear on your caller ID. It’s extremely effective, because the number displayed appears to be your bank’s correct contact number.

This scam is called number spoofing. Using specialized technology, the number appears on the victim’s caller ID display. The fraudsters may call to say there is a charge you need to verify or you might receive a text saying someone from Georgia’s Own will contact you. If you receive either of these, you need to call our numbers to confirm if we called you or sent you a text.

Here is what you need to know:

• Don’t trust caller ID. Scammers can spoof any number so it looks like they are calling from a particular company, even when they’re not.
• Don’t give personal information. Don’t provide any personal or financial information unless you’ve initiated the call and it’s to a phone number you know is correct. Georgia’s Own would never ask members to verify your full SS#, full card number, card expiration date, CVV or PIN number.
• If you get a robocall, hang up. Don’t press 1 to speak to a live operator or any other key to take your number off the list. If you respond by pressing any number, it will probably just lead to more robocalls.

The best advice to beat the scam is simple – never assume that someone is who they purport to be just because the number displayed on your caller ID matches that of an organization you know. Always be suspicious if you’re asked for your four-digit PIN or full online banking passwords. Same goes for transferring or withdrawing money or giving your card to a courier. Remember, your Credit Union will never ask you to do any of these things.