Talking to your friends and family about scams.

Ugh scammers. We know they’re out there, but how do we make sure our loved ones have the information they need to stay safe?

The good news is, with a bit of knowledge and open conversation, you can help protect them from falling victim to these sneaky schemes.

Why this matters.

First things first: no one is safe from scams. They can happen to anyone, and it’s not a reflection of how smart somebody is.

Scammers are experts at what they do, and they prey on our trust and emotions. The key is to educate ourselves and our loved ones so we can spot the red flags and stay one step ahead.

Make the conversation simple.

When you’re talking to friends and family about scams, it’s important to keep things light and straightforward. Skip the tech jargon and use everyday language.

Here are a few tips to make the conversation hit home:

Start with empathy: Acknowledge that scams are tricky and can fool even the most tech savvy people. This helps lower feelings of shame and makes the conversation more open and supportive.

Use real-life scenarios: Go over common scams, like phishing emails or fake phone calls. For example, you might say, “Remember the email that looked like it was from our bank asking for our account info? That’s a scam!”  

Interactive learning: Consider role-playing different scam scenarios. Act out a phone call or email and let people practice how they would respond. This hands-on approach makes the information stick.

Repeat the essentials: Keep reminding them about key scam signs. Repetition helps make these red flags second nature.

Spotting the red flags.

Here are a few things to watch for that could tip you off that something is a scam:

• Things need to happen urgently.
• There’s pushback when you try to verify details on your own. STCU will never be offended you want to verify the contact with us.
• The scammer requests to send you money somewhere else (via wire transfer, money order or gift card purchases) to “protect it.” 
• There is no disputing process or any way for STCU to help get your money back if you used a wire transfer, money order, or gift card to send it. You are 100% liable.
• The scammer requests you to mail a package with cash in it.
• The ask for PIN numbers, online banking login credentials, or other information STCU would not ask for.
• Emails contain spelling, grammar, or general English language errors.
• Emails that come from an address that doesn’t appear to be associated with the company that the email is supposedly from.

You can take a deeper dive on what to watch out for by reading our “Avoid Scams” Money Blog.

Common scam tactics.

Scammers can be crafty when they reach out to you. They use fake phone calls, texts and emails to impersonate STCU or other well-known companies.

Spoofed phone numbers make it look like they’re real people or places calling or texting.

Phishy texts seem like they’re coming from STCU or other legitimate businesses. They’ll often try to trick you into clicking a link or replying with your personal info.

Emails designed to look like a company you might use frequently, like Amazon. They usually also contain a link the scammer wants you to click on.

By staying informed and talking openly with your loved ones, you can help keep them safe from fraud and scams. So, grab a cup of coffee and start that conversation—it’s a small step that can make a big difference.