Stop Scammers in Their Tracks: Your Guide to Online Safety
How to Spot a Scammer and Protect Your Gateway Credit Union Accounts
Imagine a scenario: A stranger knocks on your door claiming your bank account has been hacked. They insist the only way to save your money is to withdraw it all from a cash machine immediately so they can "keep it safe" for you.
You'd instantly be suspicious, right? Alarm bells would ring because this situation, in person, sounds ridiculous.
Modern-day scam artists know this. That's why they don't knock on your door anymore. Instead, they use sophisticated digital approaches—through texts, emails, and phone calls—where people are unfortunately more likely to be swindled by thieves pretending to be a figure of authority, like a police officer, a government official, or even a credit union manager.
The approaches these villains use are constantly becoming craftier and more sophisticated. They wrap alarming messages in official-looking packaging, making them appear completely genuine at first glance.
How Gateway Credit Union Protects You (and What We'll NEVER Ask)
You can stop these scammers before they succeed by knowing what a trusted, regulated financial organisation like Gateway Credit Union will NEVER do:
- We will NEVER ask you for your full password, PIN, or online banking access codes.
- We will NEVER suggest you move funds to a "safe account" to protect them. This is a massive red flag for a scam.
- We will NEVER send you a link via a cold email or text message asking you to log in to our secure site.
- We will NEVER ask for remote access to your computer following an unsolicited call, email, or text.
If someone asks for any of the above, it is a scam.
How Scammers Work: The Urgency & The Topic
Scammers often capitalise on current events or crises to create a sense of panic or urgency:
- Topical Lures: Currently, the cost-of-living crisis is a common lure. Scammers may pretend to be from the DWP, your energy provider, or even a financial institution, offering "urgent" grants or help.
- Creating Urgency: They pressure you by warning you'll miss out on financial help or face immediate consequences (like being arrested for an unpaid tax bill). Remember:
- Genuine help is available, but it will not come from a cold caller demanding immediate action.
- HMRC/The Inland Revenue will never cold-call you to demand immediate payment for an outstanding tax bill.
If it comes from a cold call, email, or text and demands urgent action or sensitive information, assume it is a crook.
Gateway's Top Tips for Avoiding Scams Online
- Avoid Suspicious Links (Phishing)
- DON'T click on links in texts or emails, even if they look genuine (e.g., a "Royal Mail tracking" text).
- DO go to your browser and manually type in the official web address of the company the scammer is claiming to be. This guarantees you are on the real site.
- Verify Unknown Numbers (Hi Mum Scam)
- NEVER reply to an unknown number that texts you out of the blue, especially if they claim to be a family member using a new number in an emergency (the 'Hi Mum' scam).
- DO call that family member back immediately on their known, stored number to confirm they are safe.
- NEVER send money unless you are 100% sure it is going to the correct, verified person.
- How to Verify Us
- If you receive a suspicious call, hang up immediately.
- DO contact Gateway Credit Union directly using our official phone number, which can be found on our website, statements, or correspondence.
- DO use the dedicated national service: Call 159 to be connected directly to your bank/credit union to report a potential scam.
- Keep Your Guard Up and Share the Knowledge
Scammers are evolving daily. It is essential that those who can easily spot a scam remind and educate family members, especially older individuals who may struggle to spot the more sophisticated warning signs.
