We are seeing a rise in a new scam targeting our communities.
Please read and share this to protect you or your loved ones!
How it works:
- The Contact: You get a call, text, or pop-up from someone claiming to be from the FBI/IRS or other government agency, Apple/some other tech support, or even your financial institution’s “Fraud Department.”
- The Fear: They claim your accounts or personal information are “compromised”, sometimes claiming there is illegal activity occurring, and your money is no longer safe in the bank/credit union.
- The Instruction: They tell you to liquidate investments/accounts and buy gold bars to “protect your assets.”
- The Handoff: They send a “courier” or an “agent” who may claim to be government official, to your home or a parking lot to pick up the gold for “safekeeping” – they may even provide a password that only the individual authorized to pick up the gold will know.
- THE TRUTH: Once you hand over that gold, it is gone forever.
- Anyone telling you your money isn’t safe at your financial institution or in your retirement or investment accounts.
- Requests to keep the conversation a “secret” from your family or bank/credit union staff.
- Anyone asking you to buy gold, silver, or gift cards to “secure” your funds.
What to do: If you receive a call like this, HANG UP. Call us directly at 888-599-2265.
Scammers rely on urgency, fear, and control to prevent you from thinking clearly or verifying their claims. Common tactics include:
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Impersonation: Pretending to be from government agencies, tech support, or your financial institution.
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Fear-Based Claims: Saying your Social Security number is tied to a crime or that hackers are actively draining your accounts.
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Pressure & Urgency: Insisting you act immediately to “protect” your money.
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Secrecy Instructions: Telling you not to speak honestly with bank/credit union employees or others.
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Scripts & Passcodes: Coaching you on what to say and using “passwords” to appear legitimate.
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Constant Monitoring: Staying on the phone while you withdraw funds or purchase gold.
- We will never tell you to buy gold bars. There is no legitimate “safety” reason for a member to convert liquid cash or investments into gold for the government or the credit union.
- We will never send a courier to your home. Federal agencies and financial institutions do not send people to your front door to collect cash, gold, or valuables.
- We will never ask you to keep a transaction secret. If someone tells you, “Don’t tell the credit union staff why you are withdrawing this money,” they are trying to prevent us from protecting you.
What Should You Do?
If you have been contacted or have already made a withdrawal:
- Stop All Communication: Do not answer further calls from the scammers.
- Call Us Immediately: 888-599-2265
- Report it to the FBI: File a report at ic3.gov. This helps law enforcement track these criminal rings.
- Notify Local Police: Since this involves a physical courier, your local police need to be aware of the activity in your neighborhood.
Remember: Your deposits here at SCU are federally insured by the NCUA. Your money is safest right here with us.