Criminals actively conduct fraud campaigns, using text, email, telephone or a combination of those to steal your identity and money.

This is a reminder that Suncoast will never ask for your complete account number, PIN, CVV code, or full social security number in a text or email. If you receive a message asking for that kind of information, do not engage!

Report fraudulent text messages or emails by sending a screenshot and the phone number of the sender to abuse@suncoastcreditunion.com

If you’re a Suncoast member who mistakenly provided any personal information or who has been impacted by a scam, please contact Suncoast immediately to report the fraud and update all necessary credentials.

Texts Also May Contain Malicious Links

Another example of a common text scam is when a text contains a link that seems to be from a financial institution. When you click on the link, it has you put in your account number, giving the scammer access to your account.

Remember even if a text claims to be from your financial institution, you should still proceed with caution. This means not clicking, not sharing personal info, and not responding.

How to Protect Yourself

To protect yourself from scammers, you should always have your scam radar on. If any text, call or email seems suspicious, do not engage. If it is a text or an email, do not click the links. If it is a phone call, hang up.

When a scammer is impersonating your bank, credit union or another legitimate business, your best bet is to end the call and reach out to the company directly using their verified contact information

Go to the company’s website, find their legitimate contact information and then reach out to confirm any activity. Remember, it’s always better to be safe than to risk losing your hard-earned money!