Stay Safe This Holiday Season: Protect Yourself from Fraud

The holidays are a time for giving, celebrating, and connecting-but unfortunately, they’re also a prime season for scammers. With so much shopping, donating, and sending money online, it’s easy to miss the warning signs that fraudsters leave behind. We want to help you stay informed and secure.

What You Should Watch Out For

Fraudsters use clever tactics to trick people during the holidays. Here are some of the most common scams:

1. Holiday Delivery Scams

Scammers send fake emails or texts pretending to be major U.S. shipping carriers with "delivery updates." These messages often lead to phony websites designed to steal your personal information.

2. Shopping Scams

Social media and online ads may promote deals that look amazing-but some are fake. Always check reviews, verify website security (look for "https"), and research unfamiliar retailers before buying.

3. Charity & Investment Scams

Fraudsters prey on generosity and uncertainty. They may pose as charities or offer "guaranteed" investment opportunities with high returns. If it sounds too good to be true, it probably is.

4. Tech Support Scams

Someone calls claiming to be from a well-known software and service company, or your internet provider, saying your computer has a virus. They’ll ask for remote access or payment for fake services-don’t fall for it.

5. Imposter & Romance Scams

Scammers create fake profiles or impersonate loved ones, law enforcement, or even use AI-generated deepfakes to gain trust and steal money.

6. ATM & Gas Pump Skimming

Fraudsters install hidden devices on ATMs, ITMs, and gas pumps to capture card and PIN information.

How to Protect Yourself

• Verify before you click: Don’t click links or open attachments unless you’re sure they’re legitimate.
• Guard your personal info: Never share account details, one-time passcodes, or sensitive data via email, text, or social media.
• Watch for urgency: Scammers often create a sense of fear or urgency—pause and verify.
• Keep accounts private: Limit what you share on social media and be cautious about new connections.
• Report suspicious activity: Contact us immediately if you notice anything unusual.

FirstLight Federal Credit Union will NEVER call, text or email you asking for any personal information, PIN number, answers to security questions, or the unique number on the back of your credit or debit card. Should you receive or have responded to a call, text, or email requesting this information, please call FirstLight IMMEDIATELY with the phone number or email from which it came and the content of the message. You can reach us at 1.800.351.1670.