Stay Safe. Stay Protected.
Your security, our priority.
At OAS FCU, your security comes first. We’re here to help you recognize, prevent, and respond to fraud—so you can manage your finances with confidence.
What Is Fraud and Why Awareness Matters
Fraud is constantly evolving, and awareness is the best defense. From phishing emails to phone scams and identity theft, criminals are always inventing new tricks. By learning to recognize red flags, you can protect yourself and your loved ones from financial harm.
We use advanced safeguards to keep your information and accounts secure
24/7
Monitoring
Continuous account monitoring for unusual activity.
Multi-Factor Authentication (MFA)
Added layers of identity verification.
Secure Online & Mobile Banking
Latest encryption and protection standards.
Real-Time
Alerts
Notifications so you can spot changes quickly.
Tools like CardNav
Control debit card use and pause transactions instantly.
How You Can Protect Yourself
Fraud prevention is a shared responsibility—here’s what you can do:
-
Never share your credentials
Keep your user ID, password, PIN, or security codes private. -
Verify before you trust
Be cautious of unsolicited texts, calls, or emails. OAS FCU will never ask for your passwords or PINs. -
Stay alert
Monitor your accounts regularly and set up alerts in Online Banking. -
Use strong, unique passwords
Update them often and turn on multi-factor authentication. -
Act fast
If something looks suspicious, report it right away.
Common Scams to Watch Out For
Smishing
(Text Scams)
Scammers send fake texts that look urgent, like “Your account is locked”.
Red flag:
Texts with links urging you to act immediately.What to do:
Don’t click. Ignore the message and contact OAS FCU directly.
Phishing
(Emails & Fake Sites)
Emails or fake websites that look official and ask you to click links or enter credentials.
Red flag:
Emails asking to “verify” your account or URLs that don’t match our site.What to do:
Don’t click suspicious links. Only use official OAS FCU channels.
Employment & Overpayment Scams
Fake job offers or “accidental overpayments” trick you into depositing a check and sending money back.
Red flag:
Requests to deposit a check and return part of it.What to do:
Don’t deposit unfamiliar checks. Verify the employer.
Payment Scams
Fraudsters demand payment through gift cards, crypto, or wire transfers.
Red flag:
Any request for unusual payment methods.What to do:
Stop and verify independently. Never send gift card codes or crypto.
Pretexting Scams
Pretexting is when criminals invent a believable story — a tech problem, a family emergency, or an official‑looking request — to make you act quickly without checking. These scams all rely on urgency and pressure.
Red flag:
Any message or call that pushes you to act immediately or bypass normal verification.What to do:
Pause and verify independently. Contact the organization or person using a trusted phone number or channel, not numbers or links provided by the caller.
Impersonation Scams
Fraudsters pose as OAS FCU, a utility, or government agency to pressure you.
Red flag:
Threats of arrest, fines, or service shutoff.What to do:
Hang up and call the organization using its official number.
Fake Rentals & Real Estate Scams
Fraudulent property listings trick you into sending deposits for homes that don’t exist.
Red flag:
Requests for payment via Zelle®, Venmo, or gift cards.What to do:
Pay only through official platforms and verify listings.
Romance Scams
Scammers build fake online relationships to eventually ask for money.
Red flag:
Requests for secrecy or urgent financial help.What to do:
Never send money to people you haven’t met in person.
QR Code & Fake Website Scams
Scammers use malicious QR codes or clone websites to steal your info.
Red flag:
QR codes in unsolicited messages or mismatched URLs.What to do:
Use your phone’s built-in camera and type URLs manually.
Real Examples We’ve Seen at OAS FCU
Email Takeovers
Fraudsters who gain access to a member’s personal email can quietly add external accounts, reset passwords, or intercept verification codes — then move money or take over other accounts. In one case, an external account was linked because the member reused a weak password; the attacker guessed it, took over the email, and completed the link process.
Red flag: You stop seeing expected accounts or delivery of emails, or you receive password reset messages you didn’t request.
What to do: Secure your email immediately (see steps below) and contact Member Services so we can review recent account activity.
Why strong, unique passwords and user IDs matter
Use a different, hard-to-guess password for each important account — especially email and Online Banking. If criminals steal a password you reuse, it will let them unlock multiple accounts. A strong password plus unique username reduces the chance of an account takeover.1
Intercepted Calls
Scammers can even intercept legitimate phone numbers or redirect calls made to real businesses.
For example, a member recently called a company using the number printed on her statement. Instead of hearing hold music, someone immediately answered and pretended to represent the business — even offering a “loyalty reward.”
They then asked for her OAS FCU banking details. Fortunately, she trusted her instincts, hung up, and called us right away — allowing our team to secure her account before any fraud occurred.
Red flag: Someone answers faster than expected or offers an unexpected “reward.” The caller asks for banking or personal details and pressures you to act right away.
What to do: Hang up and call again using the official number from the company’s website — not one printed in a text, email, or statement. Never share account details, PINs, or one-time passcodes over the phone.
Tech Support Scams
Fraudsters impersonate Microsoft or other tech companies, claiming your computer is infected and asking for remote access. Once inside, they can steal personal or financial information.
Red flag: Unexpected pop-up alerts or calls claiming your device has a virus. The caller asks for remote access or payment to “fix” the problem.
What to do: Never allow remote access or click unsolicited links. Legitimate companies like Microsoft will never contact you this way.
Fake OAS FCU Texts
Members receive texts claiming unusual activity, followed by calls asking for login codes or PINs.
Red flag: Any request for your credentials, PIN, or one-time passcode.
What to do: Ignore the message and call OAS FCU directly.
Fake DocuSign Emails
Emails pretending to be DocuSign ask you to sign or open unexpected documents.
Red flag: You weren’t expecting a DocuSign document. Sender email looks off.
What to do: Don’t click. Delete the email immediately.
Fake Microsoft Emails
Messages claim there’s a problem with your Microsoft account and ask you to log in.
Red flag: Sender email isn’t from an official Microsoft domain.
What to do: Don’t click links. Go directly to Microsoft.com.
Fake Venmo Emails
Scammers send emails about payments or account issues you didn’t initiate.
Red flag: Transactions you don’t recognize. The sender looks suspicious.
What to do: Don’t respond. Delete the message.
Package / Shipping Scams
Members receive fake alerts about deliveries from USPS, FedEx, or UPS.
Red flag: Links inside texts or emails that don’t match the official company site.
What to do: Don’t click. Check the status directly on the company’s app or website.
Disclaimer
OAS FCU provides this information for educational purposes only. While we use multiple safeguards to protect your information, no financial institution or system can guarantee complete protection from fraud. You are responsible for reporting any suspicious activity immediately. For official guidance, visit ReportFraud.ftc.gov or IdentityTheft.gov.