Spot the scam. Stop the scam.

If you get a call, text, or message claiming to be STCU and you weren’t expecting it, take a moment before you respond. Today’s fraudsters can fake caller IDs, mimic our phone number, and even use AI generated voices that sound uncannily like someone you trust. (Technology is great… until it’s impersonating your aunt Arlene.)

And here’s the golden rule:

We’ll never ask for your online banking password or one‑time login codes. If we need to verify your identity, we may ask for some account details, but only what’s necessary to confirm it’s really you. If someone asks for any of that, it’s not us, it’s a scammer hoping you’re having an off day.

Hang up. Stop texting. Contact us directly. We’ll help you sort out what’s real and what’s…a scam tactic.

Before you act, ask yourself these questions:

1. Is the message trying to rush or scare you?

Urgency is a scammer’s best tool. If someone claims:

• Your account is locked.
• Your card is compromised.
• You owe money right now.
• You must “verify” something immediately.

…slow down. Real financial institutions don’t pressure you into instant decisions.

Take a moment to ask:

• Why the rush?
• Can I verify this on my own?

If it doesn’t feel right, hit pause. Fear is a scammer's favorite scare tactic.

2. Does the situation feel a little too perfect… or a little too dramatic?

Scammers often swing between extremes: A crisis. A surprise windfall. A stranger who “just needs a little help.”

Recent scam trends to watch for:

• A “family member” calling with an AI‑cloned voice asking for emergency money.
• A package‑delivery text demanding a fee.
• A job offer that requires you to pay upfront.
• Someone sending you money and asking you to send part of it back.

If it feels off, it probably is.

3. Are they asking you to pay in a way that doesn’t make sense?

Gift cards. Crypto. Wire transfers. Money orders. If someone insists on these payment methods, that’s a major red flag. 🚩

Ask yourself:

• Would STCU ever tell me to pay with a gift card?
• Would a legitimate agency ask me to move money “to protect it”?

Nope. Not ever.

These payments are nearly impossible to reverse, which is exactly why scammers push them.

Meet scammers’ new tricks.

Scammers are always reinventing themselves. Think of them as actors who keep auditioning for roles nobody asks for.

Here are some of the newest characters trying to get into your financial life:

• The voice doppelgänger - Loves drama. Uses AI to sound exactly like someone you know. Will absolutely ask for money “right now.”
• The caller ID costume artist - Shows up pretending to be STCU. Spoiler: it’s not.
• The email impersonator - Looks polished. Sounds official. Sends links that lead nowhere good.
• The text‑message troublemaker - Short messages. Big panic. Zero legitimacy.
• The “oops, I overpaid you” magician - Sends fake money, then asks for real money back. A classic illusion.
• The too‑good‑to‑be‑true recruiter - Offers a job. Asks you to pay for it. Hard pass.
• The fake “safe account” advisor - Claims your money is in danger. Wants you to move it. Don’t.

Staying aware of these trends is one of the best ways to protect yourself.

Not sure if it’s legit? Reach out.

If something feels off, even a little, trust your instincts and contact us directly. We’re here to help you stay safe, stay informed, and keep scammers far away from your financial life.