Police & Legal Fraud

No one wants to deal with legal issues, fines, or citations, and criminals are always finding new ways to exploit this fact. There is an unfortunate trend of scammers posing as law enforcement offers, law firms, and government agencies like the IRS or Social Security. Victims are contacted and informed that owe money and need to pay immediately or suffer consequences.

The details used vary, but we regularly see scammers claim:

An arrest warrant will be issued if you do not pay a fine for a ticket or citation
You have been named in a suit for collections and are obligated to pay a debt and/or court/legal fees
The IRS has detected an error or fraud in your tax filings and you either owe money or are being fined
There is an open investigation and your personal information needs to be verified

Police and legal fraud almost always threaten some form of legal action from a respected institution if you do not resolve the issue quickly by sending money. Scammers intentionally look to create a sense of fear, anxiety, and urgency to encourage victims to act without thinking.

It’s important to consider how you are being contacted. Most often, scammers reach out via phone call, text, or email to make contact immediately. This is a major red flag. While it doesn’t happen often, if law enforcement or a government agency need to contact you they will do so in writing by mail. No law enforcement or government agency will ever request money or financial information over the phone.

Unfortunately, police and legal fraud can also involve spoofing, where scammers are able to clone phone numbers and email addresses to appear legitimate.

ABOUT SPOOFING & PHISHING

How to Protect Yourself:

Be wary of any communication from law enforcement and government agencies, especially when threatening language is used and/or payment is demanded.
Never give out any personal or payment information to anyone making contact.
Scrutinize any emails you receive for spelling or grammar issues. Never click on a link or attachment from an unfamiliar or unexpected email.
If you receive a call, text, or email that you think may be legitimate, take the initiative to contact the sender directly. Do not use any callback number, email, or URL link to verify a source. Instead, locate the confirmed contact information in separate search of your own and discuss the notice you received. Law enforcement and government agencies will be able to tell you definitively if the notice is legitimate.
If you receive fraudulent notices, it is important to report this information to law enforcement immediately.

Grandparent Scams

Grandparent scams are a specific type of law enforcement fraud that targets grandparents or older relatives to exploit their trust and compassion. You receive a phone call from someone claiming to be your grandchild (or another young family member) or a police officer who is attempting to help your grandchild or family member. They say they are in a bad situation—stranded somewhere out of town or in some kind of legal trouble. They claim to urgently need money to resolve the issue and insist that the situation be kept secret so they don’t get in any additional trouble with a parent, partner, or employer.

Red Flags:

Sense of urgency. Anytime someone tries to rush you to act without consideration—you should pause. Take a moment to evaluate the situation and review the known details. Even if a loved one is actually in need of emergency funds, 15-20 minutes spent verifying the legitimacy of the call will not cause additional harm.
Secrecy. You should be concerned anytime someone tries to pressure you to keep a transaction confidential. If someone is truly in a dangerous situation, their primary concern wouldn’t be keeping the situation a secret.
Unfamiliar Contact. While some scammers may spoof phone numbers, others will reach out through unknown numbers and accounts. You should always be cautious and critical when receiving a message from a number you don’t recognize.

How To Protect Yourself:

Ask the caller specific and personal questions that scammers can’t know (i.e. another family member’s nickname, what you bought them for their last birthday, an inside joke, etc.)
Try to contact the relative directly with their regular phone number to get confirmation
Reach out to another family member who would be able to confirm if the alleged caller is travelling for Spring Break
Reach out to local law enforcement in the area they claim to be for confirmation or guidance

Remember: If you notice any suspicious activity on your account or are concerned that you may have fallen victim to a financial scam, be sure to contact the credit union for assistance as quickly as possible. Call 856-696-2525 or 877-590-8866 toll-free or visit our main office to speak with a credit union representative.

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