We have been made aware of a crypto scam targeting people to invest in their fake cryptocurrency scheme. Please be cautious of any unsolicited investment offers related to this topic.
Advice to avoid this scam and others:
Look for red flags.
- Strangers sending seemingly harmless text messages out of the blue.
- Strangers who quickly try to move the conversation to WhatsApp or another social media site.
- People who avoid video-calling with multiple excuses or flatly refuse to initiate any kind of video-calling.
- The URL of the investment platform doesn’t match the official website of a popular cryptocurrency market or exchange but may be very similar.
- The investment app generates warnings of being “untrusted” when launched, or the computer’s antivirus software marks it as potentially dangerous.
- The investment opportunity sounds too good to be true.
Follow these tips to protect yourself.
- Don’t send money, trade, or invest with a person you have only met online.
- Don’t speak of your financial position or investments.
- Don’t share personal information or current financial status with strangers.
- Don’t provide your banking information, social security number, copies of your identification or passport, or any other sensitive information to anyone online or to a site that you cannot verify is authentic.
- If an online investment or trading site promotes unbelievable profits, it is most likely just that—unbelievable.
- Be cautious of individuals who claim to have exclusive investment opportunities and urge you to act fast.
How to Report Fraud
If you spot a scam, report it to the FTC at ReportFraud.ftc.gov and to your state attorney general. If you or someone close to you may have been a victim of fraud, we can help. Call us at 800.498.8930 or visit your local People’s Credit Union Branch.
