Resources
Making things easier for you to achieve your goals by offering resources, workshops, and more to assist you along your financial journey.
Fraud Prevention
In order to protect you from identity theft and fraud, we have added the following guidelines and resources to ensure you have the tools to safeguard and secure your personal information.
Fraud Prevention
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Identifying Fraud
Can you spot the signs of a scam? Here are some of the most common scams facing credit union members today:
- IRS/tax evasion claims
- Credit repair offerings
- Utility deals (lower your water, electric, and/or heating bill)
- Lottery winnings
- Romance schemes or scenarios involving a loved one (for example, your grandchild needs your help now!)
- Online shopping (fake websites and ads)
Office of the Maine Attorney General: https://www.maine.gov/ag/consumer/scams.shtml
MyCreditUnion.Gov:
https://mycreditunion.gov/fraud-prevention-center
Phishing emails and scams
Four Ways to Protect Yourself from Phishing
- Protect your computer by using security software. Set the software to auto-update to ensure the detection of any new security threats.
- Protect your cell phone by setting software to update automatically. These updates could give you critical protection against security threats.
- Protect your accounts by using multi-factor authentication. Some accounts offer extra security by requiring two or more credentials to log in to your account. This is called multi-factor authentication. The additional credentials you need to log in to your account fall into three categories:
- Something you know — like a passcode, a PIN, or the answer to a security question.
- Something you have — like a one-time verification passcode you get by text, email, or from an authenticator app, or a security key
- Something you are — like a scan of your fingerprint, your retina, or your face
Multi-factor authentication adds an additional layer of protection against scammers in the instance that they gain access to your username and password.
- Protect your data by backing it up. Back up your computer and phone data to an external hard drive or in the cloud.
Computer and Mobile Safety
Ensure that the time you spend online and on your mobile phone is safe and secured:
- Use security software and ensure it updates automatically; essential tools include virus/malware protection and a firewall.
- Use encryption programs to protect sensitive digital data.
- Treat your personal information like cash; don’t leave it lying around.
- Use strong, unique passwords; consider a password manager.
- Use multi-factor authentication when it’s offered.
- Give personal and financial information only over encrypted websites; look for “https” addresses.
- Back up your files.
ATM Safety
- Always inspect the ATM, gas pump, or credit card reader before using it. Be suspicious if you see anything loose, crooked, or damaged or if you notice scratches or adhesive/tape residue.
- When entering your PIN, block the keypad with your other hand to prevent possible hidden cameras from recording your number.
- If possible, use an ATM at an inside location (these tend to be less accessible for criminals to install skimmers).
- Be careful of ATMs in tourist areas—those are a popular target of skimmers.
- If your card isn’t returned after the transaction or after hitting “cancel,” immediately contact your credit union!
Tax Fraud
Tax-related identity theft occurs when someone uses your stolen personal information, including your Social Security number, to file a tax return claiming a fraudulent refund.
If you suspect you are a victim of identity theft, continue to pay your taxes and file your tax return, even if you must file a paper return.
Know the Signs of Identity Theft
You may not know you’re a victim of identity theft until you’re notified by the IRS of a possible issue with your return.
Be alert to possible tax-related identity theft if:
- You get a letter from the IRS inquiring about a suspicious tax return that you did not file.
- You can’t e-file your tax return because of a duplicate Social Security number.
- You get a tax transcript in the mail that you did not request.
- You get an IRS notice that an online account has been created in your name.
- You get an IRS notice that your existing online account has been accessed or disabled when you took no action.
- You get an IRS notice that you owe additional tax or refund offset, or that you have had collection actions taken against you for a year you did not file a tax return.
- IRS records indicate you received wages or other income from an employer you didn’t work for.
- You’ve been assigned an Employer Identification Number, but you did not request an EIN.
Take Action if You Are a Victim
You can take steps if your Social Security number or other personal information is compromised.
If your Social Security number is compromised and you know or suspect you are a victim of tax-related identity theft, the IRS recommends these actions:
- Respond immediately to any IRS notice: Call the number provided.
- If your e-filed return is rejected because of a duplicate filing under your Social Security number, or if the IRS instructs you to do so, complete IRS Form 14039, Identity Theft Affidavit. Use a fillable form at IRS.gov, print, then attach the form to your return and mail your return according to instructions.
- Visit IdentityTheft.gov for steps you should take right away to protect yourself and your financial accounts.
See Identity Theft Victim Assistance: How It Works for more information about how the IRS can help you.
If you previously contacted the IRS and did not have a resolution, contact them for specialized assistance at 800-908-4490. They have teams standing by to help you.
Fraudulent Returns
If you believe someone has filed a fraudulent return in your name, you can get a copy of the return. See Instructions for Requesting a Copy of Fraudulent Returns.
Dependents
If you e-file your tax return and get a message telling you that a dependent on your return has been claimed on another tax return or their own, or if you receive an IRS Notice CP87A, you’ll need to find out why someone else claimed your dependent. Learn more at What to Do When Someone Fraudulently Claims Your Dependent.
Other resources
Learn more about fraud and how you can protect yourself and your family here:
IdentityTheft.gov
Scams and Identity Theft | consumer.gov
Tax Fraud Alerts | Internal Revenue Service (irs.gov)
See below to learn more about protecting you and your family from fraud and scams.
Maine State Treasurer Henry Beck – There Are Steps We Can All Take to Fight Fraud:
https://www.centralmaine.com/2023/08/24/maine-state-treasurer-henry-beck-there-are-steps-we-can-all-take-to-fight-fraud/
Identity Theft Prevention:
https://mainecreditunions.org/financial-literacy-blog/identity-theft-prevention/
Fraud Prevention Tips and Tricks:
https://mainecul.org/weekly_update_story/fraud-prevention-tips-and-tricks/
Staying Safe at ATMs and Beyond:
https://mainecul.org/weekly_update_story/staying-safe-at-atms-beyond/
Synthetic Identity Fraud:
https://mainecul.org/weekly_update_story/what-you-should-know-about-synthetic-identity-fraud/
Bereavement Scams:
https://mainecreditunions.org/financial-literacy-blog/bereavement-scams/
Mobile Payment App Scams:
https://mainecreditunions.org/financial-literacy-blog/mobile-payment-app-scams/
Preventing Tax Identity Theft:
https://mainecreditunions.org/financial-literacy-blog/preventing-tax-identity-theft/
Protecting Accounts With Two-Factor Authentication: https://mainecreditunions.org/financial-literacy-blog/protecting-accounts-with-two-factor-authentication/
Social Engineering Scams:
https://mainecreditunions.org/financial-literacy-blog/the-risks-of-participating-in-social-media-quizzes-or-games/
Responding to Elder Financial Abuse:
https://mainecreditunions.org/financial-literacy-blog/four-ways-to-respond-to-financial-elder-abuse/
Preventing Elder Financial Abuse:
https://mainecreditunions.org/financial-literacy-blog/preventing-financial-elder-abuse/
What You Should Remove From Your Wallet:
https://mainecreditunions.org/financial-literacy-blog/what-you-should-remove-from-your-wallet/
Member Scam Alert:
https://mainecul.org/weekly_update_story/new-member-scam-alert/
Be Aware of the Signs of Social Engineering Fraud:
https://mainecul.org/weekly_update_story/be-awareof-the-signs-of-social-engineering-fraud/
Fraud Alert – Phishing Scam:
https://mainecul.org/weekly_update_story/fraud-alert-phishing-scam/
Keeping an Eye Out for Shared Branching Fraud:
https://mainecul.org/weekly_update_story/keeping-an-eye-out-for-shared-branching-fraud/
Deceiving Mailers May be Tricking Credit Union Members:
https://mainecul.org/weekly_update_story/deceiving-mailers-may-be-tricking-credit-union-members/