How to Identify Spoofing

Recently, we have received reports of a scam involving SMS spoofing where fraudsters impersonate Pathways Financial Credit Union. In addition to SMS, these fraudsters may also try to impersonate Pathways Financial Credit Union via phone calls that either mimic our number or our Caller ID.

These fraudulent messages or calls may mention or list a fake transaction and ask if it was authorized. If the fraudsters text first, they follow up with a phone call asking for the card number, expiration date, and CVV code. When members respond that the transaction is fraudulent, the fraudsters claim to block the card. 

To help you avoid falling victim to these scams, please consider the following preventive measures:

Fake or Real?

Take your time and consider your previous interactions with Pathways before responding to any text message link or phone call.

Verify the Sender:

Always verify the authenticity of text messages and phone calls purportedly sent by Pathways Financial Credit Union. Legitimate messages usually come from official contact numbers or short codes, not random phone numbers. Furthermore, Pathways Financial Credit Union representatives will typically not ask for sensitive information in this manner. Be aware that Pathways Financial Credit Union will never call you to ask for your full debit card number, PIN, CVV code, or 2-factor authentication codes, for example.

Do Not Click Links:

Avoid clicking on links in unsolicited text messages, especially those requesting account login credentials or sensitive personal information. To confirm the legitimacy of a message, visit our website directly by typing the URL into your browser or use our online banking app.

Beware of Urgency:

Cybercriminals often create a sense of urgency to pressure you into immediate action. Be cautious of messages claiming your account is compromised or requires urgent attention, especially if you didn’t initiate the communication.

Never Reply or Unsubscribe:

Legitimate companies offer an option to unsubscribe from text messages and will honor your request. Scammers will not. Responding to a spam text, or phone call, confirms your number is valid, potentially leading to more scam texts. 

Enable Two-Factor Authentication (2FA):

Implementing 2FA adds an extra layer of security by requiring a secondary form of verification, such as a code sent to your mobile device, before accessing your account. This can prevent unauthorized access even if your login credentials are compromised. Do not share 2FA codes with anyone.

Educate Yourself:

Please pay close attention to any text messages or calls you receive claiming to be from Pathways. Be aware that Pathways Financial Credit Union will never call you to ask for your full debit card number, PIN, CVV code, or 2-factor authentication codes. We will only ask you to verify your personal information when YOU initiate a call with us.

If you receive a suspicious SMS or phone call, do not provide any personal information. Instead, ask for the caller's name, hang up, and immediately contact our member service department at 614-416-7588. Our team will verify the information and provide necessary guidance.

By staying vigilant, you can reduce the risk of falling victim to text message spoofing and protect your financial assets and personal information. Think before you click!

Thank you for helping us keep your accounts safe.