Text message scams (also known as smishing) and phone call scams (also known as phishing) are on the rise, and scammers are getting more convincing. At Landings Credit Union, protecting your personal and financial information is a top priority. That’s why we want to empower you with tips to help you spot a fraudulent message before it does damage.
What Does a Fraud Message Look/Sound Like?
Scammers often pretend to be your financial institution, using urgent language to trick you into clicking a link or sharing personal info. They may even spoof our phone number, making it look like the message/call is coming from Landings Credit Union when it’s not. Common tactics include:
- Warning of suspicious activity on your account
- Claiming your account is locked or frozen
- Asking you to "verify" information immediately
- Including links that look legitimate but lead to fake sites (look at the full URL address)
Fraud Checklist
Before you respond, ask yourself:
- Are you being asked for sensitive info like your account number or Social Security Number?
- Does it include a suspicious link or come from an unfamiliar phone number?
- Even if the number looks like Landings Credit Union’s, does the message feel off or push you to act fast?
- Is it creating a sense of urgency or fear?
- Are there spelling or grammar mistakes (in the text)?
- Does it come from a generic number (like “5000” or an email address)?
If you answered “yes” to any of these, it’s likely a scam. Hang up the call, or delete the text message, and contact Landings at 480-967-9475. You can also send a secure message thru mobile banking. This ensures it is Landings responding to you.
We’ll Never Ask You For...
- Your full account number by text
- Your online banking password
- Your debit card PIN
- Any personal information via a link
- VISA gift cards as payment
If you ever receive a message that seems suspicious, don’t click anything—even if the number looks familiar. Instead, contact us directly using a trusted method, such as calling our official phone number from our website.
When in Doubt, Reach Out
If something doesn’t feel right, it probably isn’t. Call Landings Credit Union directly to verify any communication that claims to be from us.