Estimated read time: 5-6 minutes
It's an ugly reality, but the internet is full of people who are trying to steal your money or your identity. Scammers prey upon young and old alike, rich and poor. They'll take advantage of any information you can give them, and unless you know how to protect yourself, you could easily be their next target.
If you've already fallen victim to an online scam, take comfort — or maybe pity — from the fact that you're not alone. A recent Pew Research Center survey found that 73% of U.S. adults have experienced credit card fraud, ransomware or online shopping scams. A large majority (79%) of the population believes online scams are a "major problem," with stolen card information, hacked accounts and fake investment schemes continuing to rise.
Unfortunately, advanced technology, including artificial intelligence, is making scammers' jobs easier than ever. They can make fraud attempts look and sound legitimate — from phishing emails to cloned voices and fake text messages. These scams are designed to gain your trust and catch you off guard.
To help, America First Credit Union is sharing some expert advice on how to keep your personal and financial information safe. As these fraud tactics continue to expand across Utah and beyond, the credit union will continue to focus on education and prevention for its members and the community.
Here are key ways to reduce your risk and protect yourself.
Protect your privacy
Before sharing personal information online, make sure that the website or request is secure and legitimate. According to the federal Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency, you can do this a few different ways:
- Watch the URL. Don't use websites that begin with http://. A legitimate website will start with https://.
- Adjust your settings. Make sure your browser is set to only allow HTTPS connections.
- Check spellings. Phishing scams or other fraudulent websites often have misspellings or incorrect domain extensions (.com instead of .gov) in the URL, so make sure to pay close attention.
- Look for the padlock or tuner icon. The website will have a padlock or tuner icon just to the left of the URL. Selecting it will tell you whether or not the website's certificate is expired and if the connection is secure.
You should always be cautious about sharing sensitive details, such as your birth date, Social Security number, account numbers and login credentials. Scammers are increasingly pulling information from social media and public profiles to make their messages more convincing, so limiting what you share publicly can help reduce your chances of being targeted.
Watch for AI-powered scams
As you can probably imagine, artificial intelligence is changing how many scams operate. Criminals can now use AI to clone voices, create convincing emails and impersonate trusted organizations — even family members. Some scams sound exactly like a loved one asking for urgent financial help, while others mimic legitimate businesses using familiar language and branding.
While that can be alarming, there are a few tell-tale signs that can signal a red flag. If a message is unexpected or creates urgency by pressuring you to act quickly, that should raise an alarm in your brain. Other warning signs include requests for payment via gift cards, wire transfers, cryptocurrency or money transfer apps. You should avoid depositing checks and sending money back at someone else's request.
Prevent identity theft
Whenever someone steals your personal information — including Social Security numbers, credit card details or your name — to commit fraud, that's identity theft. It happens more frequently than you might expect. And if you think it only happens to the elderly, think again.
According to the Federal Trade Commission, the most common reports of identity theft in 2024 came from people in their 30s, followed by people in their 40s and then people in their 20s. And if your household income is $200,000 or more, you're more likely to be targeted than any other income group.
Identity theft can lead to long-term financial and emotional stress, so it's important to regularly review your bank statements, credit card activity and credit reports for unusual transactions.
If you believe your identity has been compromised, act quickly. Contact your financial institution immediately, secure your accounts and take steps to limit further damage.
Trust your instincts when something feels off
Ultimately, if something just doesn't feel right, that's a big clue to stop before you act. Your intuition could be trying to warn you of something. You can always verify requests by contacting organizations or people directly using a trusted, public phone number. Talking it through with a friend or family member can also help you spot these red flags before you lose money or information to scammers.
A note for Utah families
Utah officials and financial institutions are reporting increased scam activity tied to robocalls, impersonation attempts and AI-driven fraud. Many of these scams target seniors, small business owners and families by posing as government agencies, financial institutions or relatives in distress.
Now that you know more about how to prevent identity theft and avoid online scams, don't keep this information to yourself. Make sure everyone in your household knows what to do to protect themselves. Staying informed, slowing down before responding and verifying requests are some of the most effective ways to protect yourself from scams and identity theft.
To learn more about fraud prevention resources and how AFCU protects its members, visit America First Credit Union online.
