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Avoiding Fraud & Scams
Life is full of surprises, especially with fraud and scammers trying to access your personal information. Nassau Financial is here to make you more aware of potential scams so you know what to avoid and what to look out for.
Reporting a crime makes our community safer.
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Security Corner
Protect Your Money. Protect Your Information.
Scammers are constantly changing how they target consumers. Knowing the warning signs, slowing down, and verifying unexpected requests can help protect you and your accounts.
Think you may be dealing with fraud?
Stop communicating with the person, do not send additional money or information, and contact Nassau Financial directly using a number you know is legitimate.
Know when to stop and verify.
Nassau Financial will never make an unsolicited request for your personal information by phone, email, or text. Be especially cautious when someone contacts you unexpectedly and pressures you to act immediately.
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Never share your Online or Mobile Banking username or password.
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Never give a verification code to someone who unexpectedly contacts you.
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Never move money because a caller says it must be transferred to “protect” or “secure” it.
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Never rely on Caller ID alone. Phone numbers and caller names can be spoofed.
Recognize the Warning Signs
Common scams to watch for
Scammers may sound professional, know personal details about you, or make a message appear to come from a legitimate organization. A familiar name or phone number does not guarantee the communication is real.
1
Credit Union Impersonation
A caller, text, or email claims there is suspicious activity on your account and asks for login information, personal details, a verification code, or immediate action. End the communication and call Nassau Financial directly.
2
Phishing, Smishing & Vishing
Fraudulent emails, text messages, and phone calls may contain urgent warnings, fake links, or phone numbers designed to steal information. Do not use the link or contact information in a suspicious message.
3
“Protect Your Money” Scams
A scammer claims your money is at risk and tells you to transfer it to another account, payment app, wire, cryptocurrency wallet, or Bitcoin ATM. Do not move your money based on an unexpected request.
4
Family & Emergency Scams
Someone may pretend to be a child, grandchild, friend, attorney, or police officer and demand money for an emergency. Criminals can even use artificial intelligence to imitate a person's voice. Contact your loved one directly before taking action.
5
Fake Check & Overpayment Scams
A scammer sends a check and asks you to return part of the money, purchase gift cards, or send funds elsewhere. A deposited check can appear available before it is later determined to be fraudulent.
6
Tech Support & Remote Access
Someone claims your computer, phone, or financial account has a problem and asks you to install software or give them remote access. Do not allow an unexpected caller to take control of your device.
7
Government Impersonation
Scammers may pretend to represent the IRS, Social Security Administration, law enforcement, courts, or another agency and threaten fines, arrest, or other consequences unless you pay immediately.
8
Romance & Investment Scams
Someone builds your trust online and eventually asks for money or encourages you to make an investment. Be especially cautious when someone you have not met asks you to send money or cryptocurrency.
9
Prize, Lottery & Gift Card Scams
You're told you've won something but must first pay a fee or tax. Legitimate businesses and government agencies do not require gift cards as payment.
When Something Feels Wrong
Stop. Verify. Protect.
Urgency is one of a scammer's most effective tools. Taking a few extra minutes to independently verify a request can make all the difference.
STOP
Don't click the link, send money, provide information, or continue the conversation if something seems suspicious.
VERIFY
Use a trusted phone number, official website, or app that you already know. Do not use the contact information supplied by the person who contacted you.
PROTECT
If you believe information or money may have been compromised, act quickly. Contact Nassau Financial and take steps to secure your accounts.
Everyday Security
Simple habits can make a big difference.
A few security practices can make it significantly more difficult for criminals to access your accounts or personal information.
Protect your accounts
- Use a strong, unique password for Online and Mobile Banking.
- Do not reuse your financial account password on other websites.
- Use multi-factor authentication when it is available.
- Never approve a login or verification request you did not initiate.
- Review your account activity regularly for transactions you do not recognize.
- Keep your phone number, email address, and other contact information current.
Protect your devices
- Keep your phone, computer, browser, and apps updated.
- Use a screen lock, fingerprint, facial recognition, or PIN on your mobile device.
- Avoid accessing financial accounts over unsecured public Wi-Fi.
- Do not install software or apps at the direction of an unexpected caller.
- Be cautious with email attachments, QR codes, shortened links, and unexpected downloads.
- Use the official Nassau Financial website or mobile app to access your accounts.
Act Quickly
What to do if you think you've been scammed
Taking action quickly may help limit additional losses or unauthorized access.
01
Contact Nassau Financial
Tell us what happened, what information may have been shared, and whether money has already been sent or withdrawn.
02
Secure Your Login
If you shared a username or password, change it immediately. Change it anywhere else you used the same password.
03
Review Your Accounts
Look for unauthorized transactions, transfers, new payees, or other activity you do not recognize and report it promptly.
04
Report & Recover
If personal information was compromised, use IdentityTheft.gov for a recovery plan and report scams to the appropriate authorities.
If you sent money to a scammer: Contact Nassau Financial and the company or service used to send the payment as soon as possible. Depending on how the money was sent, there may be steps that can be taken to attempt to stop or reverse a transaction.
Debit & Credit Card Security
Protect your cards and PIN.
Pay attention to where and how you use your card, especially at ATMs, gas pumps, and unattended payment terminals.
At ATMs & payment terminals
- Look for anything loose, damaged, or unusual before inserting your card.
- Cover the keypad with your hand when entering your PIN.
- Use ATMs in well-lit, familiar locations whenever possible.
- Never give your PIN to another person.
- If a machine looks or feels suspicious, do not use it.
Monitor your card activity
- Review transactions regularly through Online and Mobile Banking.
- Report unauthorized or suspicious purchases promptly.
- Do not provide card information in response to an unsolicited call, text, or email.
- Be cautious when a merchant or caller asks you to provide card information outside of a normal transaction.
Was your debit card transaction declined?
Contact our Fraud Prevention Department to verify attempted purchases from your account.
Identity Theft
If your personal information has been compromised
Identity theft can involve more than a single account. If sensitive personal information has been exposed, consider taking additional steps to protect your identity and credit.
Consider these steps
- Contact Nassau Financial if your account information may have been compromised.
- Change affected passwords and PINs.
- Review financial accounts and credit reports for unfamiliar activity.
- Consider placing a fraud alert or credit freeze with the nationwide credit reporting agencies.
- Use IdentityTheft.gov to create a personalized identity theft recovery plan.
Keep records
- Save suspicious emails, text messages, receipts, screenshots, and transaction details.
- Write down when the incident occurred and how the scammer contacted you.
- Keep confirmation numbers and copies of reports you file.
- Continue monitoring your accounts after the immediate issue appears to be resolved.
Trusted Resources
Report fraud and get additional help.
Use trusted government resources rather than websites or phone numbers provided in a suspicious message.
Federal Trade Commission
Report scams, fraud, and deceptive activity to the Federal Trade Commission.
ReportFraud.ftc.gov →IdentityTheft.gov
Get a personalized recovery plan if your identity or personal information has been stolen or compromised.
Visit IdentityTheft.gov →FBI Internet Crime Complaint Center
Report suspected internet-facilitated crime or cyber fraud to the FBI's Internet Crime Complaint Center.
Visit IC3.gov →When in doubt, contact us directly.
If a call, text, email, or other request involving your Nassau Financial account doesn't seem right, don't respond using the information in the message. Contact Nassau Financial through a channel you already know and trust.