How to Protect Yourself From Scammers

Fraud is on the rise, and scammers keep getting sneakier. In our latest episode of Making Sense of Money, we sat down with Detective Tyler Crane from the Lewiston Police Department to talk about the fraud they have seen, how to spot red flags, and why trusting your gut could save you thousands of dollars. With March being Fraud Awareness Month, there is no better time to sharpen your fraud-fighting knowledge and protect yourself from scams.
scammer taking money from atm and debit card

Scams have Increased with Technology

Detective Crane sees phony tech support pop-ups as the most common scams in the LC Valley. You'll be online, a window suddenly tells you there's an issue with your computer, and a number appears to call for "help." Before you know it, you're on the phone with someone who sounds official and asks for access to your device or personal info.

Even Detective Crane admits that these scams are getting better at sounding legitimate. "They can be compelling," he says. "It's not exclusive to older people. Anyone can fall for it." Thanks to technological advancements, fraudsters can now operate from across the globe and target people worldwide.

Watch Out for the Big Red Flags

Detective Crane shared some straightforward advice. If someone is asking you to:
  • Pay with cryptocurrency
  • Buy iTunes or gift cards
  • Share your Social Security number or bank account info over the phone

It's likely a scam.

Criminals often spoof phone numbers to look legit or pose as a boss or banking representative to trick people into urgent action. Slow down and double-check before sharing anything.

Cryptocurrency is especially tricky, Crane explains, because it's harder to trace than traditional bank transfers. "It's much more difficult than working with banks," he says. Once someone sends money via crypto, that money is gone and cannot be retrieved.

The #1 Tip? Trust Your Gut.

Almost every fraud victim he's spoken with has said the same thing. "Something felt off." That instinct matters. "If you get that feeling, it's not right, it's not," Crane emphasizes. So pause. Ask questions. Call your financial institution or local law enforcement before you act.

Best Practices:

Be Skeptical: Especially with calls, emails, or pop-ups asking for personal data.

Verify Sources: Call companies back using verified numbers.

Don't Share Sensitive Information: Unless you initiated the contact.

Report It: If the fraud attempt fails, still report it to your financial institution and local police.

Freeze Your Credit: If you're concerned about identity theft.

Stay Vigilant with P1FCU

We're here to help. If you think you've been targeted by fraud, contact us immediately. And if you haven't already, subscribe to our newsletter and podcast for more ways to stay financially confident and protected. You can also find more ways to help protect yourself at p1fcu.org/fraud.

Listen to this episode of Making Sense of Money