Fraud alert: How to combat the latest scams

Fraudsters are constantly evolving their tactics to make their scams more realistic and harder to detect. The good news? We’ve got your back. Here are a few tips to help you identify the latest scams and protect your financial and personal information.  

How to spot and avoid scams

1. Verify the messenger – Fraudsters often pose as trusted individuals, such as government officials, bank representatives or delivery workers, to trick you into sharing sensitive information or sending money. Never provide personal details or transfer funds in response to an unexpected call, email or message. To confirm the message’s validity, contact the organization directly using their official phone number.
2. Don’t open unsolicited attachments – Never click or open unsolicited links or attachments. Scammers frequently send these to install harmful software on your device or steal your passwords and financial information through fake login pages. If you didn’t expect the message, it’s safer to delete it.
3. Secure your sensitive information – Do not share sensitive information such as account numbers, card details or Social Security numbers via text or email.
4. Double check website addresses – Always double-check links and websites. Look for typos, odd grammar and strange domain extensions. For extra peace of mind, paste a link into Google Safe Browsing to check if a website is safe.
5. Avoid unusual payment requests – No trusted business or organization will demand payment by a gift card, wire transfer or cryptocurrency. These methods are scammers’ favorites because they’re irreversible.
6. Monitor your accounts through Digital Banking – Regularly review your bank account transactions in Digital Banking* to catch suspicious activity early. Scammers often test cards with small purchases first, attempting to fly under the radar before making larger withdrawals. If you notice any unusual activity, contact us immediately—we’ll secure your account and guide you through the next steps.

Popular scams to look out for right now:

Fraudulent Employment Opportunities
The Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) and LinkedIn have issued warnings about a rising scam targeting job seekers. Scammers create fake job listings and pose as recruiters to gain credibility and obtain people’s personal and financial information. Common red flags for fake recruiters include using non-corporate email domains, making unnecessary requests for sensitive data, requiring upfront costs and providing job descriptions that lack clear details or required skills. It’s always best to check the company’s official website to confirm the opening actually exists.

Imposter alerts on tolls and packages  
Another common scam involves fake toll road and delivery texts. These messages claim you’ve missed a toll payment or that your package delivery requires urgent action. Legitimate toll operators and postal services will never send random messages with direct payment links or ask you to update personal details through unsolicited messages. You can verify the message’s legitimacy by contacting the official customer service line for your toll authority or delivery service.

When it comes to protecting your Abound Accounts, we’re always active and alert. The best way to stay safe is by spotting fraud before it happens—and we’re here to keep you informed about the latest scams and provide the tools you need to stay ahead.

For more tips and resources, visit our Fraud Prevention Page.