How to Protect Your Family From Today’s Most Common Scam Tactics

Scam tactics are getting more sophisticated. Caller ID can be spoofed, and text messages can look identical to real alerts from businesses or your bank. In some cases, scammers are even using AI to mimic a family member’s voice.

What has not changed is the strategy behind most fraud attempts. Nearly all scams rely on urgency, fear, authority, or secrecy. People who understand the pattern are far less likely to fall for them.

The Most Common Scam Patterns Right Now

Impersonation Scams

Scammers frequently pretend to be financial institutions, government agencies, or tech support. You might receive a call or text claiming:

• Your account has been compromised
• There is suspicious activity (like a purchase in your Amazon account) that requires immediate action
• You owe back taxes, fines, or fees
• Your computer has been hacked

The message often pushes you to act quickly. For example:

• “Your order for Apple MacBook Pro ($1,249.99) has been confirmed. If you did not authorize this purchase, call immediately.”
• “Amazon order placed: PlayStation 5 – $699. Act now to cancel.”
• “Walmart purchase flagged. Reply within 30 minutes to stop processing.”

Those aren’t threats of legal or governmental action, but the scammers are trying to trick the recipient into panicking about a fake hack.

This often ends with a request to share a one-time two-factor authentication code or to confirm personal information.

The goal is simple: create enough panic that some recipients may act before verifying.

Family Emergency Scams

These scams are especially troubling for families with older parents or grandparents.

A caller may claim a loved one has been in an accident, arrested, or stranded and needs money immediately. In some cases, scammers may be able to find enough samples of a child’s voice on social media to imitate it with AI tools. However, in most situations, scammers are relying on brief, emotional statements and letting the victim fill in the details.

The request usually includes instructions to send money through a wire transfer, gift cards, or a payment app.

The urgency is key for scammers because it won’t work if the victim pauses to confirm the story.

Text Phishing and Account Takeover Attempts

Text-based scams, sometimes called ‘smishing’ (SMS + phishing), are increasingly common. You might receive a message about:

• A package delivery issue
• A suspicious login attempt
• A payment problem
• A request to verify your account

These messages often include links that lead to fake websites designed to collect your login credentials. In other cases, scammers ask for a one-time authentication code sent to your phone. Sharing that code can give them direct access to your account.

Payment Method Manipulation

Many scams eventually lead to the same request: send money in a way that is difficult to reverse, such as:

• Gift cards
• Wire transfers
• Cryptocurrency
• Peer-to-peer payment apps

Once funds are sent through these methods, recovery is often difficult or impossible.

Habits That Reduce Risk

Slow Down When the Pressure Is High

Urgency is one of the strongest red flags. Real financial institutions and legitimate businesses allow time for verification. If someone demands immediate action, it’s likely a scam.

Verify Through a Trusted Source

Verification should always happen through a channel you initiate.

If you receive a suspicious call or text, do not use the contact information provided in that message. Instead, call the number listed on the business’s official website. If it’s someone claiming to be a family member, contact them through the number you already have saved in your phone.

As a rule, banks, credit unions, and legitimate businesses will never ask for your PIN, your online banking password, or a one-time security code during an unsolicited phone call or text message. If someone does, that is a major red flag.

Never Share One-Time Security Codes

One-time codes are designed to protect you. If someone asks for that code over the phone or by text, it is almost always a scam attempt.

Keep Financial Conversations Open

Fraud prevention works best when it is discussed openly. Adult children may want to talk with aging parents about common scam tactics. Families can agree on simple safeguards, such as verifying emergency requests directly before sending money.

Be Mindful of Public Information

Oversharing on social media can give scammers useful details. Birthdates, travel plans, family names, and other personal information can be used to make impersonation attempts more convincing.

Limiting what is publicly visible can reduce exposure.

If You Think You’ve Been Targeted

If you suspect that you or a family member has fallen victim to a scam, the best course of action is to act quickly:

• Contact your bank or credit union immediately
• Freeze or cancel affected cards
• Change online banking passwords
• Monitor accounts closely for unusual activity

Quick action can limit potential damage.

Committed to Protecting Our Members in the Greater New Orleans Area

OnPath Credit Union will never call you to ask for your PIN, password, one-time security code, Social Security number, or to instruct you to move money to another account.

Even if the caller ID appears to match an OnPath number, hang up and call us directly at 504-733-7274 or 800-749-6193. If you believe you may have been targeted or notice suspicious activity, contact us immediately at 504-733-7274, option 6, or 800-749-6193.