Family Fraud Fighters

1. Talk to Your Family About Common Scams 

One of the best ways to protect your family from fraud is to talk openly about it. Share information about common scams and what warning signs to look out for.

Some scams to watch for include:

  • Phishing: Fake emails, texts, or calls that try to trick you into giving away personal or financial information.
  • Advance Fee Scams: Promises of big rewards if you pay a fee upfront—but the reward never comes.
  • Investment Scams: “Get rich quick” offers, like pyramid schemes, that are too good to be true.
  • Romance Scams: Scammers pretending to be interested in a relationship to get money or information.
  • Employment Scams: Scammers pretending to offer a job that is designed to steal money or personal information. Often through fake listings on job boards, social media or via text messages.

How to Stay Safe:

  • Don’t click on links or open attachments from unknown senders.
  • Double-check the sender’s information.
  • If you’re unsure, contact the company directly using a phone number or website you trust.
  • Never share personal information through email or text.

 

2. Set Up Account Alerts

Help your loved ones stay safe by setting up alerts on their bank, credit card, or investment accounts. These alerts can let them know right away if something unusual happens, like a big purchase or a transaction in another country. They can choose to get alerts by email, text, or app notification.

 

3. Keep Documents and Passwords Safe

Work together to keep important documents and passwords secure. Here are some tips:

  • Sign up for electronic statements instead of paper ones—they’re often safer and easier to manage.
  • Shred any papers with personal information before throwing them away.
  • Use strong passwords, turn on 2-Step Verification, and consider a password manager to keep track of everything safely.
  • Never give out online banking login credentials,

4. Check Credit Reports Together

Review your loved one’s credit reports from the major credit bureaus to make sure everything looks right. Check that:

  • Personal information is correct.
  • All accounts listed belong to them.
  • Payment history is accurate.
  • Only the right people are listed as joint owners or co-signers.

This can help catch any signs of identity theft or fraud early.

5. Consider a Credit Freeze

If you’re worried about identity theft, talk to your loved one about putting a freeze on their credit. This makes it harder for anyone to open new accounts in their name without their permission.

  • Equifax: 1-800-349-9960
  • Experian: 1-888-397-3742
  • TransUnion: 1-888-909-8872

6. Become a Trusted Contact

If your loved one has health issues or is hard to reach, you might want to become a “trusted contact” on their account. This means the bank can reach out to you if they notice anything suspicious or need to confirm information. It’s not the same as being a joint account holder or having Power of Attorney, but it adds an extra layer of protection.

7. Teach Kids About Money and Safety

Open a joint or custodial bank account with your child to help them learn about money and how to spot fraud. Show them how to read their statements and what to do if something doesn’t look right.

Talking openly and working together as a family is the best way to keep everyone safe from fraud! Click the links to learn more about Common Scams or Holiday Scams.