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Social Media Scams

Become social-media savvy.

older man wearing glasses sitting at his kitchen table and looking down at his mobile phone

Types of Social Media Scams

As social media has become a more prevalent part of daily life, so have social media scams. Reports to the Federal Trade Commission show that more than one in four who lost money to fraud said it started on social media with an ad, post or message. Here are a few to watch out for.

Impersonation Scams

Scammers impersonate a reputable company or friend to convince you to give personal information.

Clickbait Scams

Fraudsters create sensationalized "news" posts to trick you into clicking and ultimately revealing personal information.

Phishing Emails

Emails that appear to be from a familiar source in order to trick you into providing personal information.

Romance Scams

Begin with a friend request from a stranger, who cultivates an online relationship and then asks for money. 

Investment Scams

Scammers promote bogus investment opportunities, leading people to send money (often cryptocurrency) on promises of huge returns.

Online Shopping Scams

Fake online storefronts that feature deep discounts and limited payment options, such as credit card, gift card or wire transfer.

Stay-Safe Tips

  • Never release your login credentials to someone else.
  • Don't send money to someone you've never met.
  • If you receive a money request from a "friend," call the friend directly.
  • Don't be pressured into sending money immediately or secretly.
  • Delete unsolicited emails/texts that request personal information.
  • Don't take the "bait" by clicking on links in pop-ups, posts, emails or texts.
  • Limit who can see your posts and information on social media.
  • Only shop through legitimate, secure, encrypted sites (beginning with "https://")
  • If you send money through P2P services like CashApp or Venmo, those funds are almost impossible to recover.

Social media scam example gif

Wings on Social Media

Wondering whether a message or post is from an official Wings channel? Use the links below to confirm our social media presences. Remember, Wings will never ask you for secure account information over social media. We recommend using one of the verified options for contacting us for anything account-related.

Facebook

@WingsCU
Facebook

YouTube

@Wings_CU
YouTube

X

@Wings_CU
X

Instagram

@Wings_CU
Instagram

LinkedIn

Wings Credit Union
LinkedIn

Fraud Intelligence Insights

Learn more about how specific scams operate, from the Wings Fraud Intelligence team.

Fraud Prevention Tips

If it sounds too good to be true, it probably is. Receiving incentives like gift cards or checks from people you don't know is a red flag. Stop and think – reach out and research before providing personal or financial information.
Wings Fraud Security
Never provide your online banking credentials to another person or company.
Wings Fraud Security
Never share a one-time access code with another person or entity. If you receive a one-time access code that you did not request, notify your financial institution.
Wings Fraud Security
No legitimate company or government organization will accept payment via gift cards. If someone requests this – it is a scam!
Wings Fraud Security

Wings Fraud Contacts

If you suspect fraud on your account, please call us right away.

Credit Cards

 

1-866-820-3955
(Number is also on the back of your card)

Debit Cards

 

1-800-692-2274

All Other Accounts

 

1-800-692-2274