Don’t FALL for Cyber Scams

October 02, 2025

Fact Check

Phishing is the most common type of cyber fraud. To protect yourself from these scams, be sure to fact-check the sender and URL. Scammers often use emails that appear similar to the legitimate source by adding a letter or special character. If you are unsure whether a message is coming from a legitimate institution or contact, verify by contacting or visiting the source directly.​

Look to official sources if you are ever struggling to verify identity. If you receive a suspicious message requesting your financial information, contact Chattanooga Area Schools Federal Credit Union directly at casfcu.com or (423) 624-9094.​

Avoid Urgency

Be cautious with any message pressuring you to respond with personal information or payment immediately. Hackers use fear and urgency to get you to act quickly without thinking. Typically, a legitimate institution will provide you with more notice and will not expect an immediate response.​

The best safeguard is to slow down before making quick decisions, especially when it comes to your personal information. Urgent and threatening messages are a red flag; do not click any links in a panic before verifying the source. When in doubt, hang up and contact the correct institution directly to prevent fraud.​

Limit What You Share

Similarly to how you wouldn’t say your home alarm code out loud, protect your digital security by staying quiet about personal information in public and online. Oversharing online makes it easier for hackers to piece together your personal information. Refrain from providing more information than necessary when filling out online forms. For example, if your Social Security number is not required, leave out that information.​

Think before sharing intimate details on social media. Consider switching all your accounts to private so only approved followers may view your page. If your account is public, keep your travel plans, location, and contact information private.​

Lock Up

Do you have a favorite old password that you reuse often? If any of those accounts get compromised, hackers will have access to your trusted password on multiple accounts. Take the time to create a unique password for each account to ensure your information is protected. Secure passwords should include at least 14-16 characters, including a mix of uppercase and lowercase letters, numbers, and special symbols. Avoid using any distinct personal details such as your dog’s name or apartment number.​

If you’re concerned about remembering a complicated password, utilize security questions or backup accounts. It’s much easier to go through the password reset process than to deal with a scam. For convenience, utilize secure online password storage accounts such as Google Passwords or iCloud Keychain. Be extremely cautious of where you store your password information and who you trust it with.​

Scammers are creating fake phone calls using artificial intelligence, which is becoming more difficult to detect. Protect yourself and your family from this type of fraud by creating a unique family safe word. When you receive a suspicious call or message, ask for the code word to confirm your family member’s identity.​

Stay Safe, CASFCU Family!​

This October, take a moment to review your online habits. Stay aware of common online scams and be equipped to detect fraudulent messages. Remember to slow down and verify the source to protect your information and identity.