Beware of Scams: Salal Credit Union will never contact you directly by text message, email, or phone call to verify information such as, the last four of your card number, your PIN, or CVV code on the back of your debit or credit card. Some members and non-members have recently been seeing an increase in scammers impersonating Salal Credit Union in text messages. If you’re suspicious of a call or message, do not engage and contact Salal directly at 800.562.5515.
What You’ll Learn
- Get insights into the top fraud threats in 2026—like AI-generated scams, crypto fraud, and payment app tricks—plus practical ways to stay safe and protect your money.
Ugh. Ugh again. If you’re tired of hearing about the latest fraud schemes and threats, you’re not alone. With so many scams out there, it’s easy to get info overload and start tuning them out. But staying alert matters, because scammers are counting on us letting our guard down.
In recent years, Americans have lost tens of billions of dollars to fraud, according to the FTC—and those numbers continue to climb. At the same time, artificial intelligence is making scams more convincing and harder to detect. Experts warn that fraud losses could continue rising as scammers adopt more advanced technology.
At Salal, your security is always a top priority. As fraud trends continue to quickly evolve, we’re keeping pace—and helping you do the same. Whether it’s a cloned voice, a too-good-to-be-true investment, or a fake payment request, this guide will help you spot some of the biggest threats happening today and give you simple steps you can take to protect yourself and your money.
1. AI-Enhanced Imposter & Deepfake Scams
Fraudsters are getting more creative—and more convincing. Scammers are now using artificial intelligence to clone real voices and even create deepfake videos. They’ll pretend to be a family member, your boss, or someone from a government agency. Some members have reported calls from what sounded like a grandchild in trouble—or even a CEO demanding urgent action. Wall Street regulators and the FTC warn these attacks—used in vishing (voice phishing) and high-value fraud—are becoming commonplace.
What you can do:
Pause and verify. If someone calls asking for money or personal information, even if you think you know them, hang up and contact them through a method you trust. A little caution can go a long way.
2. Text Message Scams of All Shapes and Sizes
Recent data from the Federal Trade Commission shows that people in the U.S. have reported hundreds of millions of dollars in losses from scams that start with text messages—and those reports have increased dramatically in recent years. The most common text scams involve fake package delivery alerts, bogus job offers (especially “task scams” that demand upfront payments), fraudulent bank notifications, fake toll payment requests, and “wrong-number” messages that often evolve into romance or investment scams.
What you can do:
The FTC advises people to never click links or reply to unexpected texts, instead verifying through official channels. You can report spam by forwarding texts to 7726 or by reporting it to the FTC via ReportFraud.ftc.gov.
3. Investment & Cryptocurrency Scams
Fraudsters continue to exploit the promise of fast returns through schemes that blend emotional manipulation with crypto investments. Known as “pig‑butchering” scams (even the name sounds horrible), these frauds use romance or friendship to earn victims’ trust before coaxing increasing amounts of money into fake crypto platforms—resulting in billions in losses globally last year. While the scams may take weeks or months to unfold, the warning signs are familiar: glowing investment returns, pressure to move funds quickly, and avoidance of video or in-person verification.
What you can do:
If someone you meet online offers a fast, high‑return investment—especially tied to crypto—slow down and don’t send money. Real investments take time and anyone pressuring you to act fast is likely not acting in your best interest.
4. Imposter Payment Scams
These are fake payment requests that seem legitimate. These scams, called “authorized push payment” fraud, often start with someone pretending to be your bank, utility provider, or even a government agency. They sound official and urgent, but their goal is to get you to send money willingly. These schemes cost consumers billions of dollars each year, and the sophistication and frequency of these scams continue to climb.
What you can do:
If you get a call or message asking you to transfer money, stop and verify. It’s always good to remember that will never contact you directly by text message, email, or phone call to verify information such as, the last four of your card number, your PIN, or CVV code on the back of your debit or credit card.
5. Digital & P2P Payment Scams
Peer-to-peer payment apps are fast and convenient—but scammers know that too. Fraud involving Zelle, Venmo, and other peer-to-peer and digital wallet channels is on the rise. Common tricks include fake payment alerts and platform notifications, refund requests for “accidental” transfers, and unauthorized transfers—leading to tens of millions in losses.
What you can do:
Only send money to people you personally know and trust. And if someone claims to have sent you money by mistake? Double-check your account before you send anything back.
6. Synthetic Identity Fraud
Fraud rings are now blending real and fabricated personal information to create synthetic identities—fake personas complete with phony documents, credit histories, and accounts that can seem legitimate for months before being used to defraud financial institutions. This “synthetic identity fraud” is one of the fastest-growing forms of identity theft, accounting for a major share of credit losses in auto loans, credit cards, and other financial products. While financial institutions are often the direct victims of synthetic identity fraud, consumers whose person data is misused can face damaged credit and challenges the next time they apply for a loan or credit card.
What you can do:
Use strong, unique passwords and turn on multi-factor authentication (MFA) for all your banking apps. And keep an eye on your credit activity by enrolling in SavvyMoney in Salal digital banking (more on this below).
We’re Here to Help
If you believe you might have been a victim of fraud on or related to a Salal account, call us as soon possible at 800.562.5515 (M–F: 8 a.m.–5:30 p.m. PT; Sat: 10 a.m.–2 p.m. PT). You can also reach Salal’s Fraud Department at 800.562.5515, ext. 8922 (M–F, 9:30 a.m.–5:30 p.m. PT).
