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decorative alert image  IMPORTANT ALERT: Recently, there’s been an increase in fraudulent activity where fraudsters claiming to be from First Financial Credit Union with one goal—to get your account and other identification information. If you receive a phone call, text or email message asking for your information, do not respond. Please report it immediately by calling us at (800) 537-8491 so we can assist you.


Avoid Gift Card Draining Scams This Holiday Season

December 4, 2024
Online Safety and Privacy

Avoid Gift Card Draining Scams This Holiday Season

Gift cards make for easy, versatile gifts, especially during the busy holiday season. But they’re also prime targets for scammers who use "gift card draining" to steal funds before the recipient can even use the card. Let’s break down how these scams work and how you can stay safe.

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Online Shopping

Online Safety and Privacy

Man online shopping

Online shopping may be convenient but it can present many opportunities for scammers and cybercriminals.

For many people, online shopping is simply “shopping.” Who can resist one-click ordering and next-day delivery? However, bad actors and cybercriminals may try to trick consumers into paying for goods that don’t exist or seek to capture personal information for financial gain.

You don’t need to abandon your cart, though. With some simple preventative measures, you can enjoy your online shopping spree with peace of mind.

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Criminals Use Generative Artificial Intelligence to Facilitate Financial Fraud

December 3, 2024
Alert Number: I-120324-PSA

FBI Public Service Announcement

The FBI is warning the public that criminals exploit generative artificial intelligence (AI) to commit fraud on a larger scale which increases the believability of their schemes. Generative AI reduces the time and effort criminals must expend to deceive their targets. Generative AI takes what it has learned from examples input by a user and synthesizes something entirely new based on that information. These tools assist with content creation and can correct for human errors that might otherwise serve as warning signs of fraud. The creation or distribution of synthetic content is not inherently illegal; however, synthetic content can be used to facilitate crimes, such as fraud and extortion.1 Since it can be difficult to identify when content is AI-generated, the FBI is providing the following examples of how criminals may use generative AI in their fraud schemes to increase public recognition and scrutiny.

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Scammers are delivering phishing messages this holiday season

December 2, 2024
Ari Lazarus, Consumer Education Specialist, FTC

If you get a message about an unexpected package delivery, don’t click on any links. Scammers might be trying to steal your personal and financial information.

During the holiday season, you might expect to get more deliveries. Some might even be surprise gifts. Scammers are counting on that when they send fake delivery notifications to you by email and text, hoping you’ll click. Here’s how to spot these scams.

You get an email or text and it says you missed the delivery. Or it might say your item can’t be delivered because you need to update your street address or zip code. Sometimes these scammers create a sense of urgency by saying if you don’t respond right away, they'll return your package to the sender. The scammers say both of these issues can easily be fixed: just click on a link.

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Give to a charity, not a scam

November 26, 2024
Amy Hebert, Consumer Education Specialist, FTC

Make Your Donation Count

There’s no shortage of good causes to donate to this holiday season. But before you give somewhere new, make sure you’re not donating to a scam.

Scammers are pros at tricking people into donating. They’ll often even use names that sound a lot like other charities you’ve heard of to get your money. Here’s how to make sure your money is going to support the cause you care about:

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Online Shopping

November 1, 2024

Before you buy something online, shop around and check out sellers and products. Also, keep records of purchases, like receipts and emails, to make sure you’re able to hold a seller to its promises.

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Email or social media hacked? Here’s what to do

October 29, 2024
Alvaro Puig, Consumer Education Specialist, FTC

Email or social media hacked? Here’s what to do

Hackers target your email and social media accounts to steal your personal information. Like your username and password, bank or credit card account numbers, or Social Security number. If they get it, they use it to commit identity theft, spread malware, or scam other people. So, what are signs that someone hacked your account, and how can you recover a stolen account?
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Cybersecurity Awareness Month

September 11, 2024

Cybersecurity Awareness Month is an international initiative that educates everyone about online safety and empowers individuals and businesses to protect their data from cybercrime.

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Three ways to protect the personal info on your phone

September 11, 2024

Federal Trade Commission

Imagine carrying a written copy of all your conversations with you everywhere you went. Or copies of your account numbers, usernames, and passwords. Or all the photos and videos you’ve ever taken. I bet you’d do just about everything in your power to protect all that valuable information. Well, your mobile phone holds all that stuff — and maybe more. Are you doing everything in your power to keep it from ending up in the wrong hands? Here are three things you can do today to protect the personal information on your phone.

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Did Hackers Steal Every Social Security Number? Here’s What To Do.

August 15, 2024

Did Hackers Steal Every Social Security Number? Here’s What To Do.

In August 2024, a new class action lawsuit claimed that every American’s Social Security number was stolen in a data breach that occurred in April 2024.

The lawsuit says that hackers stole the personal information of 3 billion people, including every existing Social Security numbers, from background check company National Public Data (NPD). If true, this would mean every American is at risk of having their identity stolen.

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Five ways to keep scammers and hackers away

August 23, 2024
Alvaro Puig, Consumer Education Specialist, FTC

Five ways to keep scammers and hackers away

We’re living in the data age. The things we do on our phones and computers, on our internet-enabled smart devices, and on websites leave a trail of our activities and our personal information. That personal information has value — not just to us, but to scammers and hackers who want to steal our identities. Here are five things you can do to keep scammers and hackers at bay.
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Got a call about fraud activity on your bank account? It could be a scammer

July 8, 2024
Terri Miller Consumer Education Specialist, FTC

Did someone supposedly spot fraud or criminal activity on one of your accounts? Did they offer to help “protect” your money by moving it from your bank, investment, or retirement account? Maybe they even asked you to share a verification code? If anyone did any of those things, it’s always a scam. So, what do you do next?

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FTC stops another student loan debt relief scheme

June 28, 2024
Ari Lazarus, Consumer Education Specialist, FTC

Some student loan debt relief companies will lie and say they’re affiliated with the Department of Education when they’re not. They want their bogus claims of “guaranteed” loan forgiveness (for a fee) to seem more legitimate (they’re not).

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What’s a verification code and why would someone ask me for it?

Terri Miller, Consumer Education Specialist, FTC

Anatomy of an Imposter Scam

When you log into your bank or credit card account, you might get a text message or email with a verification code. You then enter it at the login screen to confirm it’s really you. That’s a form of two-factor authentication that adds a layer of security to your account — and keeps would-be scammers and hackers out.
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How to spot, avoid, and report imposter scams

Colleen Tressler, Consumer Education Specialist, FTC

Imposter scams often begin with a call, text message, or email. The scams may vary, but work the same way – a scammer pretends to be someone you trust to convince you to send them money or share personal information.

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Scammers follow the news about student loan forgiveness

April 16, 2024
Terri Miller, Consumer Education Specialist, FTC

Scammers follow the news about student loan forgiveness

Hearing a lot about federal student loan forgiveness in the news? You’re not alone — scammers are, too. You might get a call from someone saying they’re affiliated with Federal Student Aid (FSA) or the Department of Education. (They’re not.) They’ll say they’re following up on your eligibility for a new loan forgiveness program, and might even know things about your loan, like the balance or your account number. They’ll try to rush you into acting by saying the program is available for a limited time. But this is all a scam. What else do you need to know to spot scams like this?

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Did you get a call or text about a suspicious purchase on Amazon? It’s a scam

March 7, 2024
Alvaro Puig, Consumer Education Specialist, FTC

Did you get a call or text about a suspicious purchase on Amazon? It’s a scam

One way to spot a scam is to understand its mechanics. A new and complicated scam starts with a call or text message about a suspicious charge on your Amazon account. But it’s not really Amazon. It’s a scammer with an elaborate story about fraud using your identity that ends with you draining your bank or retirement accounts.

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In the check-out line buying gift cards? Read on to avoid a scam

February 27, 2024
Cristina Miranda, Consumer Education Specialist, FTC

Did someone tell you to buy a gift card and give them the numbers?  That’s a scam. Report it to the gift card company.  Ask for your money back.

If you’re in the checkout line with a gift card (or several) in your hand, ask yourself: is the gift card you’re buying for a gift? Or is someone on the phone with you as you’re checking out telling you what to do – like buy a gift card to pay for something and give them the numbers? Gift cards are ONLY for gifts. That means if the gift card isn’t for someone’s birthday, anniversary, or for any other gift giving reason, it’s a scam.
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Romance scammers love . . . to take your money

February 14, 2024
Bridget Small, Consumer Education Specialist

Romance scammers love . . . to take your money

When you have a new romance there’s so much to talk about. But if your new sweetheart only wants to talk about your money and how you should invest it, stop talking. They might be a romance scammer, like those who stole more than $1 billion from people last year. How do the scams start, and what can you do to avoid one?

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How to Be an Online Privacy Snob

National Cybersecurity Alliance

How to Be an Online Privacy Snob


Data privacy might seem abstract, but it couldn’t be more personal. You generate lots of data every time you access the internet, and sometimes, when you don’t – your home address, health records, and Social Security are all pieces of data. While you can’t control the fact that your data is collected, you can take charge of how and with whom you share data with in many cases.

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How to Recognize and Report Spam Text Messages

If you have a cell phone, you probably use it dozens of times a day to text people you know. But have you ever gotten a text message from an unknown sender? It could be a scammer trying to steal your personal and financial information. Here’s how to handle and report unwanted text messages.

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Don't Hang On, Hang Up!

Scammers frequently employ illicit spoofing methods to conceal their identity when making calls, sending false information to your caller ID. They resort to various tactics, like using local area codes and numbers that appear familiar, or impersonating reputable entities you regularly interact with, such as local utilities or government agencies, all in an attempt to deceive you into answering their calls.

Here are some quick tips:

Don't trust caller ID alone:

Caller ID information can be manipulated through spoofing. Even if the call appears from a familiar number or organization, it's not a guarantee of authenticity.

We will never asks for personal information like your full credit card number, PIN, password, etc.

Verify identities:

If the caller claims to represent a company or organization you're familiar with, ask for addtional verification or call the company directly using a trusted phone number to confirm the legitimacy of the call.

If you're unsure we are calling you—feel free to hang up and call us directly at (800) 537-8491. Don't worry, if you hang up on our legitimate call, we know it's for your own protection.

Be skeptical of urgent requests:

Scammers often create a sense of urgency to pressure you into taking immediate action. Take your time to evaluate the situation and verify the legitimacy of the call before providing any information or making any payments.

Stay aware:

Stay informed about common scam tactics and be aware of the latest trends in spoofing and other fraudulent activities. Knowledge is your best defense against falling victim to scams.

Use call-blocking apps:

Consider using call-blocking apps or services that can help identify and block suspicious calls, including those using spoofing techniques.

iPhone | Galaxy | Pixel

Report suspicious activity:

If you receive a suspicious call, report it to the appropriate authorities, such as the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) or your local consumer protection agency. This can help prevent others from falling victim to the same scam.


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