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.
Scammers frequently pretend to be financial institutions, government agencies, or tech support. You might receive a call or text claiming:
The message often pushes you to act quickly. For example:
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.
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-based scams, sometimes called ‘smishing’ (SMS + phishing), are increasingly common. You might receive a message about:
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.
Many scams eventually lead to the same request: send money in a way that is difficult to reverse, such as:
Once funds are sent through these methods, recovery is often difficult or impossible.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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 suspect that you or a family member has fallen victim to a scam, the best course of action is to act quickly:
Quick action can limit potential damage.
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.