Phishing: The IRS will never contact you by electronic communication channels, like social media, text messages, or email, to request personal information. Even if there were problems with your tax filing, the IRS still uses formal letters and a secure website.

Phone Scams: The IRS has seen a surge of phone calls from criminals impersonating IRS agents in recent years. Scammers threaten taxpayers with arrest, deportation, and license revocation, among other things. Again, the IRS will not use these methods.

Inflated Refund Claims: Taxpayers should be wary of anyone promising inflated refunds. Preparers who ask clients to sign a blank return, promise a big refund before looking at taxpayer records, or charge fees based on a percentage of the refund are probably up to no good.

Identity Theft Refund Fraud: This type of fraud happens when a scammer uses your identity and personal information to file and claim your tax return before you do, stealing your hard-earned money. Avoid keeping essential documents like social security cards in easy-to-access places, and be very careful when sharing personal information online.

Think you may be a victim of tax fraud? Contact the IRS immediately and provide all applicable information.

There is a consumer warning about a scheme involving Zelle®. Scammers are fooling consumers into using Zelle to transfer them money, resulting in lost funds.

Victims will receive an unexpected message from, what appears to be, their financial institution regarding a Zelle payment. After responding "No", they will receive a call that appears to be from their financial institution. They will inform the victim that someone has transferred the victim's money. In order to retrieve the money back, they must Zelle themselves back the money.

Scammers use caller ID spoofing to disguise themselves as a caller from your financial institution. They want to gain access to personal account information to steal money. Contact us right away about any suspicious activity. 

For more information and tips for safe payments using Zelle, please visit the Zelle's website. 

Members have received text messages from parties claiming to be their credit union or bank. In these texts, they are asked to call a telephone number that prompts them to provide personal or financial information. This includes account numbers, card numbers, social security numbers, etc. While the Credit Union may occasionally send text messages asking you to contact a specific person or a department, the Credit Union will never... 

Ask you to provide your account or card information to an automated system.
Ask you to leave confidential information on a recording.
Ask you to visit a website other than www.mpscu.org.  

The checks look so real that, at times, employees in financial institutions are fooled. Some are phony cashier's checks or money orders; others look like they're from legitimate accounts. The companies whose names appear in the check may be genuine, but scammers create counterfeit checks without a company's knowledge.

If you sell goods online, do not accept a check and never wire money to a stranger. Think twice and question the legitimacy of checks from unknown senders. If it sounds too good to be true, it probably is.

Do not communicate with the sender if you believe you have received a fraudulent check. Contact us right away. 

A job scam is when someone pretends to offer you employment but is really trying to steal your money or personal information. These scams often appear as fake job postings online, emails, or even text messages that seem legitimate.

Red Flags to Watch For:

- The “employer” asks you to pay upfront for training, equipment, or application fees.

- You’re offered a job immediately without an interview.he pay sounds too good to be true.

- You’re asked to share personal or financial information early in the process.

- Communication happens only through text or messaging apps, not official company emails.

How to Protect Yourself

- Research the company through official websites and trusted sources.

- Verify job postings on the company’s official career page.

- Never pay money to secure a job.

- Be cautious with sharing sensitive personal information.

- Trust your instincts—if something feels off, it probably is.

If you suspect a job scam, report it to the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) at reportfraud.ftc.gov or your state’s consumer protection office.

A romance scam is when someone pretends to be interested in a relationship but is secretly trying to exploit your emotions for financial gain.

Red Flags to Watch For:

- They profess love or deep feelings very quickly.

- They avoid meeting in person or making video calls.

- They claim to live far away or work overseas (military, business, etc.).

- They create urgent stories (illness, travel issues, emergencies) and ask you to send money.

- They pressure you to move conversations off the dating platform to private messaging.

How to Protect Yourself:

- Take your time—don’t rush into sharing personal details.

- Never send money, gift cards, or bank information to someone you haven’t met in person.

- Verify photos and profiles with reverse image searches.

- Talk to trusted friends or family before making big decisions.

- If something feels off, listen to your instincts.

If you suspect a romance scam, stop all contact immediately and report it to the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) at reportfraud.ftc.gov.

Caller ID spoofing scams involve tricking individuals into thinking a call is from a legitimate source by altering the displayed caller ID information. Scammers use this tactic to gain trust and deceive people into sharing personal, financial, or device access information. By posing as financial institutions, government agencies, or reputable companies, they exploit familiarity to manipulate victims. To stay safe, always verify callers independently and avoid sharing sensitive information without proper verification.

If you receive an unexpected Amazon package with a QR code, it could be part of a scam. Scammers may send random packages to boost seller rankings or trick you into scanning the code, which can lead to phishing websites or malware. To protect yourself, don’t scan any QR codes or enter personal information. Check your Amazon account for unauthorized activity, and report the package to Amazon if needed. Stay alert and protect your personal information from potential fraud.

Familial fraud is when someone close to you uses your trust to commit financial abuse—such as opening credit accounts in your name, misusing joint accounts, or stealing checks, cash, or benefits.

Make sure you:

- Monitor your accounts regularly for unusual activity.

- Set up alerts for withdrawals, transfers, or charges.

- Keep checks, cards, and account information in a safe place.

- Never share your PINs, passwords, or account details.

Remember: protecting your financial security sometimes means setting boundaries—even with those closest to you.