Most everyone has a mobile phone or device that they can receive text messages through, and scammers will send messages from unknown numbers in all varieties with offers of gift cards, coupons, free prizes, low or no interest credit cards, or even promises to pay off your student loans. They send fake invoices or delivery notifications to trick you about recent packages you might have ordered, or will even send messages claiming to be from HFCU or another financial institution to report suspicious activity or a problem with a recent payment.

These are all common phishing and scare tactics scammers use to lure people into giving up their personal account information, or by clicking on a link that downloads malware to their phone to steal personal information. It can be pretty convincing, especially if it seems like it could be from your financial institution, but the best thing you can do is not answer them, or click on any links.

Houston Federal Credit Union, other financial institutions, tax preparation businesses, and the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) will never text you or call to ask you for any personal account information. If you are ever unsure about a recent text message or call you might have received, please contact the business directly by phone and ask to speak with a representative for further clarification.

For more information and steps that you can take to protect yourself please click here to review an article from the Federal Trade Commision (FTC). We would also encourage you to report all fraud directly to the FTC by clicking here.