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Fraud Prevention Center

Stay a Step Ahead of Scammers and Fraud

MACU Scam Squashers

 
 
 

 

Benny the Buffalo, proud member of the MACU Scam Squasher Squad, is on a mission to help you stay alert, stay informed, and stay protected. Benny's here to remind you to keep an EAR out for anything suspicious - because scammers are always looking for an opportunity. 

Educate yourself on common scams.

 

Avoid things that cannot be verified or seems too good - or too bad - to be true.

 

Report anything that causes uncertainty, concern, or doubt to a trusted individual. 

 

 What To Do Instead:

 

  • When in Doubt, Don’t Give it Out!
  • Call a number you know is real for that company or person.
  • Talk it over with someone you trust.
  • Contact MACU right away if you suspect your account is compromised. 

 

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Protect Yourself From Online Romance Scams

 

DO's: 

1. Take it slowly. Ask a lot of questions and watch for inconsistencies. 

2. Check Photos. See if their photos are stolen and show up elsewhere with different names attached. 

3. Report it. If you come across a scammer, notify the dating site on which you met them.

 

DONT's: 

1. Feel swindled. Scammers flood dating sites with fake profiles waiting for victims.

2. Share details. Scammers can exploit personal details to manipulate victims or commit identity theft.  

3. Send money. DO NOT send or receive money from anyone no matter how convincing their story is.

 

 

SIGNS OF A ROMANCE SCAM:

1. Suspicious Profile. Profiles have missing details.

2. Love Bombing. The romance scammer will be quick to profess their love. 

3. Asking for Money. Are skilled in making up believable stories. 

4. Changing Platforms. Providing email addresses or phone numbers to a scammer is dangerous.

5. Canceling Plans. Will often times make promises to meet in person but excuse themselves for an emergency.

 

 

RED FLAGS:

 

  • Model like pictures.
  • Moving too fast.
  • Eager to leave dating website.
  • Lavishes victim with attention.
  • False promises.

 

Tax season is often the prime time for fraudsters or scammers to steal your identity and even your refund.

 

Here are two common cons.

 

1. IRS impersonators. Typically, the IRS will contact taxpayers by mail through the U.S. Postal Service. It will only email or text you if you’ve previously provided permission, so be wary of links, particularly if they are unsolicited or have misspellings. 

 

The IRS does not make automated or direct phone calls to threaten you with law enforcement or pressure you to provide financial or other personal information. It also does not take payments through social media, gift cards or prepaid debit cards.

 

2. Posing as preparers. Some warning signs include someone who says they will collect your refund and pass it on to you or who asks you to provide any owed taxes in cash. The IRS requires anyone who prepares federal tax returns for a fee to have a preparer tax identification number (PTIN) that must also appear on your return. Volunteer preparers don’t need PTINs. The IRS provides a searchable directory at irs.treasury.gov/rpo/rpo.jsf that includes anyone with a PTIN who holds a professional credential or has filed an IRS form of qualifications.

 

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Check back soon for fresh tips, tools, and scam squashing insights - just in time for the holidays, tax season, and beyond! 

 

Welcome to the

MACU Scam Squashers Squad! 












 

DON'T BE TAXED BY SCAMMERS

 

What Would You Like to Learn About Fraud Today? 

  • Phishing emails/texts – Fake messages that look real, asking you to click links or share personal info.
  • Phone scams – Callers pretending to be from MACU, the IRS, tech support, law enforcement, or collection for bills you don't owe.
  • Romance scams – Fraudsters build fake relationships online to trick people out of money.
  • Prize & lottery scams – “You’ve won!” (but you need to pay fees first).
  • Imposter scams – Scammers posing as family, friends, or coworkers in trouble.

  • Pressure to act right now (urgency is their weapon).
  • Requests for personal info, PINs, or passwords.
  • Payment demands through gift cards, wire transfers, or cryptocurrency.
  • Messages filled with poor grammar, odd wording, or suspicious links.
  • “Too good to be true” offers that don’t add up.
  • Never share online banking credentials or account numbers.
  • Use strong, unique passwords and update them regularly.
  • Turn on multi-factor authentication (MFA) wherever possible.
  • Shred documents with sensitive information.
  • Be cautious about what you share on social media.
  • Stop communicating immediately with the scammer.
  • Do not send money, gift cards, or personal details.
  • Contact MACU right away at 316-722-3921 if you suspect your account is compromised or you have given out account or card information. 
  • Report suspicious emails/texts to the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) and to IC3.gov. 
  • When in doubt, don't give it out! Scammers are trying to get your money and personal information, so stop if the situation seems odd or too good or bad to be true.  Talk it over with someone you trust. 
  • Call a number you know is real for the company or person calling you.  
  • Check out out Identity Fraud, Inc.: 24/7 Toll-Free Access to Dedicated Case Specialists.  Identity Theft Protection
  • Use two-factor authentication for online banking login and other logins, when available.
  • Seek educational resources, tips, and ideas for how to get ahead of the Fraud game.

Every parent knows money doesn’t grow on trees. Earning a paycheck can be quite a lot of work, and unfortunately, some people decide to take dishonest shortcuts in an effort to make a quick buck. Yes, fraud can be quite common, which is why we felt it was so important to tell you all about fraud risk examples and how to avoid them.

Scams and fraud can happen nearly anywhere. From that fake email asking for donations to a random call implying that you owe the IRS, scammers are always trying creative new tactics to get their hands on your money. Unfortunately, families make great targets for them, as trust, fear, and a genuine desire to help loved ones in need can make people easier to scam.

As a parent, you might already be up to date on the latest scam tactics, but the same might not be true for your kids. Even if they know what a scam is, can they easily identify one? Well, not to worry. By the end of this article, both you and your child will easily be able to identify a scam at first sight, steer clear, and help keep your family safe from the potential risks.

Read the full article on My First Nest Egg's website