Recognizing Spoofing Scams: Insights from Our Fraud and Security Manager
We recently sat down with Scott Levengard, Fraud and Security Manager at Lafayette Federal to discuss ways our members can stay vigilant against fraud account takeovers, including a common scam called spoofing.
Scott Levengard, Fraud and Security Manager
What is Spoofing?
Spoofing is when a scammer disguises their identity to make it look like they’re contacting you from a trusted source like Lafayette Federal Credit Union. You may receive a phone call, a text message, or an email from us that may look legitimate but is not actually coming from us.
What are cybercriminals after?
The goal with spoofing is to trick you into sharing personal information such as your online banking username, password, and even MFA codes that may be sent to you to get into your online banking. They’re using this information to trick you to believe that you’re talking to your credit union when in fact they’re manipulating the information to gain access to your online banking. From there, they’ll have the ability to change your contact information and even take money directly out of your account.
How can I stay safe?
To better protect yourself, be cautious of any unsolicited contact requesting personal or financial information. Never share passwords, pins, or one-time codes. Verify everything. Contact the credit union directly before responding to any of these messages. You can even enable alerts and monitor your accounts frequently through your own online banking. Report any spoofing attempts directly to the credit union.