How to Spot Scams and Protect Your Money

If you have a bank account, a debit card, a credit card, or anything tied to your money, you’re a target.

A text. A call. A login. One click at the wrong moment, and someone else is inside your account moving money like it’s theirs.

We’re seeing it more and more. Calls, branch visits and conversations that start with:

“Was this real?”
“I think I clicked something…”
“Is my account okay?”

Scammers know exactly what they’re doing.

Managing money has never been easier. Tap, send, transfer. Done. That same speed is exactly what scammers are counting on.

The Reality Behind the Numbers

Financial fraud losses are climbing fast. Americans lost $15.9 billion to fraud in 2025, much of it tied to digital scams and social engineering.

More than 1.1 million identity theft cases were reported in the same year, many tied directly to financial accounts. Nearly a third of fraud losses now start on social media, where scammers build trust before making their move.

And it’s hitting close to home.

In San Diego County, more than 400 residents lost over $90 million in 2025 to long-running investment and romance scams. And it doesn't stop there. Seniors in the county lost more than $130 million in the same year.

This isn’t slowing down. It’s getting smarter.

Why You’re a Prime Target

Scammers go where the money is. That means:

• Checking accounts they can drain
• Debit cards they can skim
• Credit cards they can run up
• Online banking they can take over

Once they’re in, the goal is simple: move fast, move money and disappear. But how they get there keeps changing. Some scams hit quickly. Others take their time.

What It Actually Looks Like

Most scams don’t look like scams anymore. They look normal.

• A text from your “bank”
• A call about suspicious activity
• A message from a wrong number

Some push urgency right away. They want you to react before you have time to think clearly.

Others take the opposite approach. They slow things down, build trust and keep the conversation going over time until it starts feeling familiar. Weeks can pass. Sometimes even months.

By the time money comes up, it no longer feels like a scam. It feels like helping someone you trust.

Different approach. Same outcome.

What We’re Doing Behind the Scenes

Fraud prevention takes both people and technology.

Scammers move fast, and the volume is too big for any team to catch everything manually. That’s why we’ve invested in fraud detection tools that help monitor activity, flag unusual patterns and reduce risk before money leaves an account.

But technology can’t catch everything. It doesn’t always know when a conversation feels off, when a story does not add up or when someone may be getting pressured. That’s where our people matter.

We’ve also continued investing in staff training, fraud prevention resources and Member education to help our teams spot what the systems might miss.

Not long ago, a retired Marine came in ready to send thousands of dollars to someone he believed he could trust. Something did not sit right with our branch team. They stepped in, slowed the process down and stopped the wire before it went through.

We were lucky to catch that wire in time. But we do not see everything, and we do not always get the chance to stop it before money leaves an account. That’s why awareness matters.

Why This Hits Close to Home

We see this play out across our Membership every day. No one is immune.

Certain groups get targeted more often. Young service members are one of them. Social media and romance scams reach them early, build relationships quickly, and then take advantage of that trust.

So we’ve adapted how we show up and support this group. Our teams deliver financial readiness training to Marines in basic training and across Southern California installations. We focus on how to spot scams, avoid predatory situations, and protect their money from the start.

Because one bad financial decision early on can follow someone long after training ends.

That same focus doesn’t stop there. We bring it to all our Members every day through practical tools, real-world guidance, and ongoing support designed to help you spot scams and protect your money before anything goes wrong.

The Red Flags (What to Watch For)

You don’t need to memorize every scam. Just watch for patterns.

• Urgency: “Act now or your account is locked”
• Pressure: “Don’t tell anyone”
• Requests for codes or passwords
• Payment requests that feel off

There’s one simple rule: If someone is rushing you, they’re trying to control the outcome.

What We Will Never Do

Let’s be clear. Frontwave will never ask you for:

• your password
• one-time verification codes
• full card numbers
• secure login details

If someone asks for that information, it’s a scam. Don’t engage. If it’s a text, don’t reply. If it’s a call, hang up.

Then contact Frontwave directly at 760.631.8700 or use the number on the back of your debit or credit card.

How to Protect Yourself (Without Overthinking It)

You don’t need to be perfect. Just consistent.

• Pause before you act
• Verify directly with us, not the message
• Never share verification codes
• Use strong, unique passwords
• Turn on multi-factor authentication

Most scams work because people move fast. Your edge is slowing down and taking control.

If Something Feels Off

Trust that instinct.

• Stop the interaction
• Don’t click or send anything
• Contact us directly
• Let us take a look

The faster you act, the more we can do.

You’re Not On Your Own

This is where being part of a credit union matters.

We’re not just watching systems. We’re talking to Members every day. We’re seeing patterns. We’re helping people in real time.

Fraud is increasing. That’s real. But so is the support behind you. If something doesn’t feel right, you don’t have to figure it out alone.

Need Help?

Something feel off? Have Questions? 

Call 800.736.4500, stop by a branch, or schedule an appointment.

Real people. Real help. When it matters.