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We help you stay vigilant against fraud.


At Congressional Federal, it's part of our mission to help keep you and your finances safe. Here’s info you should know about some recent scams we’ve seen.

Congressional Federal Email Series

To help our members stay informed on the latest online and phone scams, we have created an email series with real-life examples and information. 

 

 

Common Online/Phone/Zelle Smishing (Texting) Scams


smishing blue

A text message that appears to be from your financial institution requests that you click a link to address and resolve an issue with your account or card. If it’s clicked, malware is installed and your email address, contact list information, and other data is stolen.

smishing yellow

A text message claims the user signed up for some sort of service and will be charged unless a link is clicked. The result is malware getting installed and data stolen from the device.

smishing teal

You receive a text claiming you've won a prize (often, it’s a gift card). You must click a link to claim it. The link directs to a website requesting personal information. Your information will then be used for spamming or efforts to steal additional information such as financial account credentials.


We have everything you need to stay a step ahead of fraud.

 

No need for guesswork: stay on top of the very latest threats and get expert tips, updated daily, right here: Financial Security Center.

 
For additional resources, check out these helpful links:

Helpful tips:


  • Congressional Federal will not ask you to verify or update details via text or email--nor should any other financial institution. Only update your information directly from the official mobile banking app or online banking.

  • As a general rule, never click links in messages for financial-related details. Don’t react quickly to any message (whether text, voice, or email) that threatens something bad may happen if you don’t. Just stop, breathe, and verify.
  • If you don’t know the sender, aren’t expecting a message with a link or attachment, or just aren’t sure a link is safe to click, don’t click it. Instead, contact the sender independently to ask about it. 
  • If you didn’t initiate a phone call to your financial institution, don’t send information. Don’t use information sent to you in unsolicited messages.
  • It’s not rude to simply not reply to suspicious emails or texts. In fact, it is recommended you do just that.
  • Report fraud to the FCC. There is a form on the agency’s website. This helps the FCC combat these types of crimes and potentially protect others.

Requests for Account Information

 

Fraudsters may pose as financial institution employees and ask for information which allows them to access your account. Remember that Congressional Federal will never email, text, or call you to solicit personal information, logins, or passwords.


Requests for Donations


Scams follow current events because the public interest is high. Cybercriminals play with our emotions, interests, fears, or excitement to make scams very enticing; they may exploit your goodwill by posing as a charity or relief fundraiser. Bottom line: do not click on any unexpected email or attachment, unless you can verify with the sender that the email is safe. 


Quick Tips to Keep Your Accounts Safe

  • If you receive a one-time passcode you didn’t request, don’t give the code to anyone who contacts you for it.
  • Never open or use a personal bank account to deposit or transfer funds for someone else.
  • Be wary of “get rich quick” or “easy money” schemes, especially if unsolicited.
  • Use known links to access businesses online.
  • Verify any phone, text or email contacts are legitimate before sharing information such as your account number, security word, PIN, User ID or password.
  • Be leery of requests to download apps to fix issues or that allow access to your device.