Security Center

Check fraud is when an unauthorized person uses someone else’s checks, or images of a check, to make unauthorized purchases or withdrawals.

Different types of check fraud include:

• Check fraud: Scammers steal, or forge checks to make unauthorized transactions.
• Check washing: Legitimate checks are altered or “washed” with chemicals to erase the ink from a check to rewrite amounts and payees.
• Check cooking: Fake checks are digitally created to look legitimate.
• Mail fraud: Fraudulent checks are sent or received through the mail.
• Endorsement forgery: A signature is forged to cash a victim's check. 

Scammers pretend to be legitimate businesses or government agencies when they contact financial institutions or other organizations to get your financial information.

Skimmers insert illegal electronic devices into ATMs or electronic payment terminals in order to steal debit and credit card numbers.

Identity spoofing occurs when a scammer assumes the identity of another person/entity and uses that identity to commit fraud. Spoofers steal credentials from people or businesses through password attacks and credential capture processes.

Lawbreakers rummage through trash, looking for bills or other papers with personal and financial information.

People divert your billing statements to another location by completing a U.S. Postal Service change-of-address form.

Criminals steal wallets and purses; mail, including bank and credit card statements; pre-approved credit offers; and new checks or tax information. They also take personnel records or bribe employees who have access.

Phishers pretend to be financial institutions or legitimate companies and send spam emails or pop-up messages to get you to reveal your personal information.

Quishing, also known as QR code phishing, involves tricking someone into scanning a QR code using a mobile phone. The QR code then takes the user to a fraudulent website that might download malware or ask for sensitive information.

Criminals can install stealth software on your computer that lets them steal your identity and do other damage. (Learn what spyware is, how to tell if it's on your computer, get rid of it, and avoid it altogether.)

Criminals sometimes use malware – including viruses – to get into your computer, steal information, send spam, and commit fraud. (Learn the signs of malware and how to get rid of it.)

Scammers trick mobile carriers into transferring a victim’s phone number to a new SIM card, gaining access to sensitive accounts like banking apps. This can lead to unauthorized transactions and identity theft

Tip for Members: Protect your accounts with multi-factor authentication (MFA) and avoid sharing personal information on social media that could be used to answer security question.

With the popularity of BNPL services, scammers are setting up fake online stores that appear to accept BNPL payments. Victims make purchases and later find out the store was fake, losing their money.

Tip for Members: Verify the legitimacy of online stores before making a purchase, especially if they offer BNPL options. Look for reviews and confirm the store’s contact information and policies.

A fraudulent individual instructs you to purchase a gift card, such as a Google Play^TM or Apple^® Gift Card, and provide them with the card's numbers from the back. Regardless of their claims, this is a scam. Legitimate businesses or government agencies will never ask you to use a gift card for payment. If you suspect you've fallen victim to such a scam, even if it occurred some time ago, it's crucial to report it to the respective gift card company.

Law enforcement agencies are warning about a new scam where individuals receive a text claiming they are eligible for a $5,000 government subsidy from the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE).

The message instructs recipients to reply with "Y" and click a link labeled "Tech Radar" to receive their payment. It promises that after providing personal information, a check will be deposited into their bank account or mailed within one to two business days.

There are currently no DOGE refunds, dividends, stimulus, or other payments.

You might receive a call or text from an individual posing as a grandchild or dear one, urgently requesting financial assistance for an emergency. These scammers manipulate caller ID information to make the call seem like it's coming from a trusted contact. Furthermore, these fraudsters leverage artificial intelligence technology to replicate the voices of loved ones, aiming to deceive you into believing they are genuinely in need of help.

You get an email purportedly from a vendor, asking you to transfer funds to a different account. Although the email appears authentic, it may be a deceptive communication from a fraudster who has gained unauthorized access to your vendor's network.

If someone from MECU or another financial institution reaches out to you concerning alleged fraudulent activity on your account and requests a money transfer or payment redirection, exercise caution. If uncertain, end all communication with the potential scammer and contact the phone number provided on the back of your debit or credit card for verification.

Scammers are posting fake job openings on professional networks, luring job seekers into paying upfront for fake fees like background checks or training.

Tip for Members: Be cautious of job offers that require upfront payments. Research the company and the job posting, and avoid sharing personal information until you have confirmed the legitimacy of the job offer.