Fraud Friday: Phone Call Imposter Scams
When in Doubt, Check It Out
Gift card scams continue to be one of the most common and costly fraud tactics used by scammers. These scams are effective because they create urgency and confusion — and once the gift card numbers are shared, the money is usually gone.
How Gift Card Scams Work
In a typical scenario, a scammer contacts you by phone, email, or text message claiming to represent a trusted organization. They may say:
- You owe taxes or fines
- Your utility service will be shut off
- A family member needs emergency help
- Your computer has a virus
- You’ve won a prize but must pay a fee
The scammer then instructs you to purchase gift cards and provide the numbers on the back of the cards as payment.
Once those numbers are shared, the funds are quickly transferred and cannot be recovered.
Red Flags to Watch For
Be cautious if someone:
- Demands immediate payment
- Insists on secrecy
- Requests payment via gift cards
- Pressures you not to contact anyone
Legitimate businesses, government agencies, and financial institutions will never request payment in gift cards.
How to Protect Yourself
- Never provide gift card numbers to someone you don’t know
- Be suspicious of urgent payment requests
- Contact the organization directly using a trusted phone number
- Pause before acting under pressure
If you are unsure about a request for payment, contact us before taking action.
At Great Falls Credit Union, protecting our members is always our priority.
When in doubt, check it out.
