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PROTECT YOURSELF FROM THESE COMMON
COLLEGE SCAMS.


FROM TEXTBOOK SCAMS TO SUBLETTING APARTMENTS, COLLEGE STUDENTS FACE SEVERAL
SCAMS SPECIFICALLY DESIGNED JUST FOR THEM.

Learn More


FRAUD COMES IN MANY FORMS.

Can you spot them in this Fraud Test?

Take the Fraud Test


HERE ARE THE LATEST SCAMS TO BE AWARE OF.


WIRE TRANSFERS AND ZELLE® PAYMENTS

Scammers will urge payment methods like wire transfers and Zelle® because funds
are sent quickly and are hard to recover once sent. Make sure payment recipients
are legitimate.

Learn More


REMOTE COMPUTER
ACCESS

Scammers try to persuade you to give them remote control of your computer so
they can steal your personal information and money. Stay mindful of unusual
asks.

Learn More


PERSONAL INFORMATION

Scammers use your personal information to access your accounts. Protect it with
2-factor authentication and strong passwords. Watch your accounts for suspicious
activity.

Learn More


SPOOFS

Fraudsters attempt to steal personal information by pretending to be someone,
such as a boss, with an urgent request. If you're being pressured, something may
not be right.

Learn More


SCAMS

Right now, charity donation scams and bank impersonation emails are on the rise
as fraudsters constantly change their tactics. Be on the lookout for suspicious
communications.

Learn More


AUTHORIZED PUSH
PAYMENT FRAUD

Fraudsters pose as trusted organizations and send fake invoices, scamming you
into transferring money. Confirm the request is legitimate before sending any
money.

Learn More
PreviousNext
 * Go to slide 1
 * Go to slide 2
 * Go to slide 3


COMMON SCAMS

Citi constantly monitors the latest scams and frauds. Check out some of the most
common scams affecting people of all ages everywhere.

 * PIN scam
 * Wire Transfer/
   Zelle scam
 * Remote computer
   access scam
 * Personal
   information scam
 * Bank
   impersonation scam
 * Fake fundraiser/
   charity scam
 * Business email
   compromise
 * Sweetheart/
   romance scam
 * Mobile phone takeover
 * Grandparent cons
 * Surprise account
   in your name
 * IRS fraud
 * Home office
   security hacks
 * Home office
   data compromise
 * Email/text ploy
 * Telephone scam
 * Lottery/
   sweepstakes scam
 * Delivery gimmick


TOUCH ID AND FACE ID

 * Secure your transactions unique to you with biometric sign on.
 * Enable in the Citi Mobile® App under your profile and
   security settings.




HERE ARE SOME TOOLS TO HELP YOU STAY SAFE.


QUICK LOCK >

Temporarily freeze your misplaced debit and credit cards without disrupting
recurring charges. Access Citi® Quick Lock in
the Citi Mobile App.


2-STEP AUTHENTICATION >

Add an extra step of protection to help keep your account secure.

Learn More

MOBILE PUSH NOTIFICATIONS >

Get instant alerts about balance levels, payments and more. Turn these on in
your phone's settings.


DIGITAL WALLETS >

Safely store your cards in one place digitally, whether you're paying online or
in-person. Download in the App Store
or Google Play.


ACCOUNT ALERTS >

With customizable Citi Account Alerts, stay updated on your account activity and
receive alerts for anything unusual.
Set up account alerts.


SMS NOTIFICATIONS >

Citi Fraud Early Warning alerts you of suspicious activity on your card. Update
your account to enable.

Learn More

PASSWORD MANAGER >

A password manager generates secure passwords that help protect your accounts,
PIN, card numbers and more. Download in the App Store or Google Play.


SECURITY CENTER >

For more information about
fraud prevention, visit our
security center.

Learn More

PIN PROTECTION >

Never give your PIN to anyone claiming to be from Citi or any authority figure
by phone, email, or text. Citi will never ask for your PIN.

Learn More


HERE ARE SOME TOOLS TO HELP YOU STAY SAFE.


QUICK LOCK

Temporarily freeze your misplaced debit and credit cards without disrupting
recurring charges. Access Citi® Quick Lock in
the Citi Mobile App.


2-STEP AUTHENTICATION

Add an extra step of protection to help keep your account secure.

Learn More


MOBILE PUSH NOTIFICATIONS

Get instant alerts about balance levels, payments and more. Turn these on in
your phone's settings.


DIGITAL WALLETS

Safely store your cards in one place digitally, whether you're paying online or
in-person. Download in the App Store
or Google Play.


ACCOUNT ALERTS

With customizable Citi Account Alerts, stay updated on your account activity and
receive alerts for anything unusual.
Set up account alerts.


SMS NOTIFICATIONS

Citi Fraud Early Warning alerts you of suspicious activity on your card. Update
your account to enable.

Learn More


PASSWORD MANAGER

A password manager generates secure passwords that help protect your accounts,
PIN, card numbers and more. Download in the App Store or Google Play.


SECURITY CENTER

For more information about
fraud prevention, visit our
security center.

Learn More


PIN PROTECTION

Never give your PIN to anyone claiming to be from Citi or any authority figure
by phone, email, or text. Citi will never ask for your PIN.

Learn More


STAY UP TO DATE ON FRAUD AND SCAMS WITH THESE ARTICLES.


10 WAYS TO PROTECT YOUR PERSONAL INFORMATION.

With fraud on the rise, take action with these 10 ways to further protect your
personal information.

Learn More


HELPING SENIORS AVOID FRAUD/SCAMS.

Find out how to protect your loved ones from falling victim to the latest cyber
scams.

Learn More


8 FINANCIAL SCAMS TO WATCH OUT FOR.

Learn More


HOME OFFICE SCAMS.

Learn More


SCAMS HAPPEN: WHAT YOU SHOULD KNOW.

Learn More


TO FIND OUT MORE, VISIT OUR SECURITY CENTER.

Learn More
 * Terms & Conditions
 * Privacy
 * Notice at Collection
 * CA Privacy Hub
 * Accessibility
 * Security
 * Contact Us

 * 
 * 
 * 




YOU ARE GOING TO EXTERNAL SITE

That site has a privacy policy and security that are different from that of the
Citigroup website.

Continue ×


ABOUT YOUR PIN

Your PIN is your Personal Identification Number that authenticates you, unlocks
access to your accounts, and helps protect your financial world. As companies
become more effective at fighting fraud, fraudsters are going old school. We are
seeing more fraudulent activity focused on getting your PIN. Take a look at the
information below to understand how and when to use your PIN and of course how
to protect it.


WHEN CHOOSING A PIN:

 * Avoid numbers with personal meaning like birthdates, wedding anniversaries,
   addresses or phone numbers as these are easily guessed by fraudsters.


KNOWING WHEN IT’S OK TO USE YOUR PIN:

Citi and other legitimate merchants may ask for your PIN to be entered but only
through established processes like:

 * Using a physical keypad during a debit card transaction, ATM withdrawal, or
   bank teller transaction.
 * Logging in to your Online Banking profile and completing specific
   transactions.
 * Calling a verified Citi phone number and manually entering your PIN with your
   phone's keypad or verbally speaking through an automated phone system.

Your PIN should never be provided verbally to a person or sent through a text
message or email.


PROTECTING YOUR PIN:

 * First and foremost, never share your PIN.
 * Never provide your PIN in response to an email or telephone request.
 * Never write your PIN down on your card or in any unsecure locations like
   emails or text messages.
 * Physically shield your PIN when using it.
 * Never enter your PIN online on any website or application other than the Citi
   Mobile® App or Citi® Online.


SCAM ALERT: SCAMMERS USING WIRE TRANSFERS AND ZELLE® PAYMENTS


For a version of this video with audio descriptions click here

Currently, scammers are targeting payment methods that allow them to receive
funds very quickly, and which are difficult to recover later. Scammers are not
only convincing customers to send money, but they are also directing the methods
the customer should use to complete the payment. Two of the payment types being
used by scammers are Wire Transfers and Zelle® or similar payment platforms
because they are fast, cannot be stopped once the funds are sent and are very
difficult to recover later. A trustworthy company will only rarely require you
to use a specific form of payment such as a wire transfer.

For more tips on how to protect yourself from this type of scam, watch the
video.

Zelle® and the Zelle® related marks are wholly owned by Early Warning Services,
LLC and are used herein under license.


REMOTE ACCESS SCAMS: GRANTING ACCESS TO YOUR COMPUTER AND PERSONAL INFORMATION.


For a version of this video with audio descriptions click here

If you are contacted by someone requesting remote access to your computer, be
very wary. A common scam involves the scammer telling you that “they” think your
computer is infected with a virus or is running slowly and they can help you fix
it. Remote access scams allow fraudsters access to your personal information,
including account information, so that they can then move money from your
account without your full awareness. Be wary of granting remote access to your
computer to any unknown party that reaches out to you. Only give remote access
or download remote access software when you initiate contact with a legitimate
company through a verified means, such as a known website or phone number.

Also, if you get an email from an unknown source (hover over the sender’s name
to validate the sender), do not click on any email link until you hover over the
linked content to make sure it's legitimate (i.e., “citi.com”), as it could be a
threat to your account and device security. Also, be cautious when opening any
embedded document as that could pose the same risk.


BE A PARTNER IN FRAUD PREVENTION: PROTECT YOUR PERSONAL INFORMATION.


For a version of this video with audio descriptions click here

Bad players are after your personal information because it’s the key to your
accounts. Here are some additional steps you can take to help safeguard those
details.

 * Question and verify all requests for information regarding payments,
   especially through unexpected calls, emails, or texts. If you have any doubt,
   contact the company directly, or Citi through the Citi Mobile® App or Citi®
   Online, or call the number on the back of your card.
 * Set up 2-factor authentication with the companies you do business with to
   help keep your device and money secure.
 * Review your accounts, and if you suspect your account has been compromised,
   change your user ID and password for your online access to Citi and other
   important accounts.
 * If you notice you no longer have control of your phone, immediately contact
   your cell phone provider. Phone takeover (SIM swap) can put your money at
   risk.


SPOOFS


EMAIL

Also known as phishing or hoax emails, spoof emails appear to be from legitimate
companies. These emails try to convince you to click on a link to resolve an
urgent matter involving your account.

Just clicking on the link may give identity thieves access to your computer,
allowing them to record your keystrokes and capture your passwords and other
sensitive information.


HOW TO SPOT A SPOOF EMAIL

 * There will be a sense of urgency – spoof emails will claim that your account
   will be closed or temporarily suspended with a warning that you’ll be
   criminally charged if you don’t respond.
 * Spelling and grammatical errors – there will likely be obvious errors in
   spelling and grammar, which help spoof emails avoid spam filters.


THIS YEAR, WE’RE SEEING SCAM ACTIVITY GROWING RAPIDLY. WHAT’S CAUSING THIS?

At the height of the pandemic, scammers were focused on trying to access money
that was flowing from government programs. But this year, they’ve moved their
focus away from these scams, targeting more individuals instead.


HERE ARE SOME OF THE LATEST SCAMS HAPPENING NOW:

 1. Depositing Checks from Unknown Sources: Fraudsters may ask you to deposit a
    check into your personal account and promise you can keep a portion of the
    money. These checks are often counterfeit and may be returned or sourced
    from illegal activity — you could lose money or even become unknowingly
    involved in a crime.
 2. Requests for Donations: During times of geopolitical events, fraudsters
    exponentially increase their efforts to take advantage of your interest to
    support specific causes. Funds or personal information provided to
    unverified charities could ultimately not reach their intended audience and
    could put your account information at risk. FTC.Gov provides guidance to
    help donate wisely and ensure your contributions reach their intended
    targets.
 3. Requests for Account Info: Fraudsters may pose as Citi or a Citi employee
    and ask for information which allows them to access your account — they may
    email, text, or call you.
 4. Paying with Gift Cards: Scammers pretend to be someone they're not to
    convince you to pay with a gift card. Legitimate companies or government
    agencies would not make this request.


TIPS TO HELP KEEP YOUR ACCOUNTS SAFE:

 * If you receive a one–time passcode you didn't request, don't give the code to
   anyone who contacts you for it.
 * Never open or use a personal bank account to deposit or transfer funds for
   someone else.
 * Be wary of "get rich quick" or "easy money" schemes, especially if
   unsolicited.
 * Use known links to access businesses online.
 * Verify any phone, text or email contacts are legitimate before sharing
   information such as your account number, security word, PIN, User ID or
   password.
 * Be leery of requests to download apps to fix issues or that allow access to
   your device.

Read more on Life and Money


AUTHORIZED PUSH PAYMENT

An APP scam occurs when a fraudster uses a technique called social engineering
to persuade you to send money to another account. Fraudsters will trick you into
trusting them before they manipulate you to send the money.

Fraudsters will try to pressure you into making a decision, or more importantly,
making a payment, before you are able to realize that you are falling victim to
a scam.

An APP scam differs from an account takeover. In an APP scam, you, the account
holder, are the one that authorizes the payment. In an account takeover, the
fraudster is the one that has fraudulently gained access to your account and
makes the payment without your knowledge.


SMS NOTIFICATIONS



Citi Fraud Early Warning will alert you of suspicious activity on your account
via two-way SMS text messaging where you can confirm or deny a transaction. Just
update your personal information in your Citi account and enable these
notifications.


HOW MANY RED FLAGS DO YOU SEE?

PreviousNext

Take note of any Red Flags you notice. Click the next button to see all the red
flags.



Here are the 5 Red Flags that we see.

 * 1. Who is the sender? The scammer is spoofing a well-known company with which
   many people do business. Just a little investigation reveals that this is not
   an address related to the company.
 * 2. What is the urgency? The scammer creates a sense of alarm by referencing a
   login attempt from an unknown device, far away.
 * 3. What has happened so far? Note use of poor grammar, and sense of alarm
   created by noting “drastic action” already taken.
 * 4. The call to action. The aim of this message is to shock the reader into
   action, so that they click this link right away. This will then enable the
   scammer to execute any of the several actions to gain access to control of
   this device, financial assets, and/or personal information.
 * 5. More urgency.

 * Go to slide 1
 * Go to slide 2

PreviousNext


DELIVERY GIMMICK


HOW THEY WORK:

A person shows up at your door with a bouquet of flowers or some other gift
someone “sent” you. But in order to collect the gift, you must pay a small
handling fee (usually a few dollars), payable only by credit card. In this ploy,
the scammer “skims” your credit card information during what appears to be a
normal transaction. Criminals use a small device to steal that information when
a card is swiped.


WHAT YOU CAN DO:

 * Never accept any delivery that requires you to pay a fee unless you ordered
   it C.O.D. (cash on delivery).

Read More > 8 Financial Scams to Watch Out For


PIN SCAM


HOW THEY WORK:

Scammers contact you by phone, email or text, posing as Citi or a trusted
merchant. They ask you to provide your Citi Personal Information Number by
speaking it over the phone or sending it via email or text.


WHAT YOU CAN DO:

 * Don't share your PIN.
 * Remember that no one at Citi will ever ask you to say or send your PIN.
 * Do not use your PIN on a non-Citi site or app.
 * Choose PINs that are hard to guess.

Read More >


WIRE TRANSFER/
ZELLE® SCAM


HOW THEY WORK:

Scammers are not only convincing customers to send money, but they are also
directing the methods the customer should use to complete the payment. Two of
the payment types being used by scammers are Wire Transfers and Zelle® because
they are fast, cannot be stopped once the funds are sent, and are very difficult
to recover later.


WHAT YOU CAN DO:

Never wire money, or send money via Zelle® to:

 * Anyone who claims to be from a government agency.
 * Any stranger, no matter what reason they give.
 * A telemarketer trying to sell you something.
 * Anyone claiming your account is compromised.
 * Unauthorized, unverified cryptocurrency sites or salespeople.
 * Anyone asking you to send money to yourself.

Read More >


REMOTE COMPUTER
ACCESS SCAM


HOW THEY WORK:

Fraudsters try to persuade you to give them remote control of your computer so
they can steal your personal information and money.


WHAT YOU CAN DO:

 * Only give remote access or download remote access software when you initiate
   contact with a legitimate company through a verified website or phone number.

Read More >


PERSONAL
INFORMATION SCAM


HOW THEY WORK:

Scammers compile information over time that you share through social media, or
in response to scam calls, emails or texts. This information can then help
fraudsters access your accounts.


WHAT YOU CAN DO:

 * Don't print SSN or driver license numbers on checks.
 * Keep your PIN secure, and don't share it.
 * Wipe information from donated/discarded computers.
 * Use a password manager.
 * Collect your mail from your mailbox daily.
 * Review your credit report regularly.
 * Use only verified company websites.
 * Don't enter personal information via a public computer.
 * Shred documents.
 * Be careful about information shared on social media.
 * Don't reveal information to "nice" strangers.

Read More >


BANK IMPERSONATION
SCAM


HOW THEY WORK:

You receive what sounds like a legitimate call or appears to be an email from
your bank, a reputable vendor or your insurance company about suspicious
activity or a problem with your account. If it's a call, you'll be asked to
provide some additional information, like the security code on the back of your
card. If it's an email or text, you may be provided with a link to a fake
website that requires you to log in and verify information. Cyber criminals
often target consumers of well-known companies because there's already a level
of trust that’s been established.


WHAT YOU CAN DO:

 * Be alert if asked to provide personal details via an unsolicited call, text
   or email link.
 * Check real email address of sender by hovering or clicking on the sender's
   name.
 * Hang up or ignore text or email, and contact the sending company's website
   directly, or call Citi using the number on the back of your card.

Read More > Scams Happen: What You Should Know


FAKE FUNDRAISER/
CHARITY SCAM


HOW THEY WORK:

Scammers know that people are particularly generous around the holidays, so they
often pose as representatives with a charity or other organization seeking
donations. They typically ask that you give money by using a credit card or a
direct debit from your checking account. They don’t accept mail-in donations,
citing that the cause is urgent and needs your immediate attention.


WHAT YOU CAN DO:

 * Be certain you are interfacing with the charity when donating over the phone
   or online, whether it’s to police organizations or a cancer-fighting cause.
 * To be on the safe side, consider looking up the group’s physical address and
   mailing your donations directly.

Read More > 8 Financial Scams to Watch Out For


BUSINESS EMAIL
COMPROMISE


HOW THEY WORK:

Fraudsters pose as legitimate companies that you know and trust. They send you
fake invoices to pay or direct you to a fake website and request that you enter
your personal information.


WHAT YOU CAN DO:

 * Verify sender's email address.
 * Notice red flags: grammar errors, urgent requests.
 * Scrutinize links and attachments.
 * Contact sender via verified phone number.

Read More > Working Remotely? Be Aware of these Home Office Scams


SWEETHEART/
ROMANCE SCAM


HOW THEY WORK:

Scammers capitalize on the popularity of dating sites by establishing online
relationships with victims. Once they gain your friendship and confidence, they
ask for money or private, sensitive information.


WHAT YOU CAN DO:

 * Only accept friend requests from people you know, and be careful with online
   friendships.
 * Hit delete if your “friend” asks too many personal questions or requests to
   borrow money.

Read More > 8 Financial Scams to Watch Out For


MOBILE PHONE
TAKEOVER


HOW THEY WORK:

Your mobile phone abruptly stops working. There are no bars for cellular
coverage and phone calls aren't coming in. What's happened here is a SIM card
swap scheme. A cyber-criminal has switched your phone number from one wireless
provider to another, so your phone is no longer receiving calls or texts.


WHAT YOU CAN DO:

 * Contact your mobile phone provider immediately. Cyber criminals can do a lot
   in a short amount of time, so be vigilant and don't wait.
 * Make it harder for cyber criminals to initiate a SIM swap by setting up
   two-factor verification with your mobile provider.

Read More > Scams Happen: What You Should Know


GRANDPARENT CONS


HOW THEY WORK:

Someone posing as a relative (like your “grandson”) sends an email or calls you
saying he or she is in trouble and needs you to wire money right away. The
scammer asks you not to tell anyone and directs you to a neighborhood location
to transfer or send the funds.


WHAT YOU CAN DO:

 * No matter how convincing it sounds, don’t fall for this tale of woe.
 * Notify police immediately and provide them with the details for wiring or
   sending the money, if you have it.

Read More > 8 Financial Scams to Watch Out For


SURPRISE ACCOUNT IN
YOUR NAME


HOW THEY WORK:

You receive a call from a debt consolidation or debt settlement company that
offers to negotiate with creditors and put all your debt into one account, to
make it easier to pay off debt faster. Soon after, you discover that you have a
new banking or credit card account opened in your name with an exorbitant
service fee added on top.


WHAT YOU CAN DO:

 * Don't give your information to a "debt consolidation company" or "debt
   settlement company."
 * If you need to consolidate your debt, seek advice from a trusted financial
   advisor and work directly with a reputable financial institution.

Read More > Scams Happen: What You Should Know


IRS FRAUD


HOW THEY WORK:

Beware of calls, letters and emails from fake IRS agents about bogus tax bills.
They use the authority of the agency to scare their victims into verifying
personal information, such as your Social Security number or birth date, or
providing or confirming financial information like your bank’s routing number or
a credit card number.


WHAT YOU CAN DO:

 * Hang up if you receive such a phone call.
 * If you receive a letter from the IRS, do not call the number on the letter.
   Instead, do a quick online search for the phone number of the IRS, and call
   that one to find out if the letter is valid.

Read More > 8 Financial Scams to Watch Out For


HOME OFFICE
SECURITY HACKS


HOW THEY WORK:

Fraudsters try to gain access to your home office computer, or other devices
that you use to conduct business.


WHAT YOU CAN DO:

 * Keep your device malware up to date.
 * Only use company devices for work tasks.
 * Use secure virtual private network at home.
 * Don't use public Wi-Fi.
 * Don't allow access to your company devices.

Read More > Working Remotely? Be Aware of these Home Office Scams


HOME OFFICE DATA
COMPROMISE


HOW THEY WORK:

Fraudsters use various tactics to try to access the data and information that
you use in your home office.


WHAT YOU CAN DO:

 * Create strong passwords to access business files.
 * Use secure cloud backups to store business data.
 * Secure online meetings or group chats.
 * Use encrypted passwords or multifactor authentication to log in to
   collaborative tools.
 * Use a secure password manager to keep track of login details.

Read More > Working Remotely? Be Aware of these Home Office Scams


EMAIL/TEXT PLOY


HOW THEY WORK:

These scams inform you that a company’s website has been hacked or that the
company needs to update your information. You get directed to a fake website
that looks official and very similar to the real one and are asked to enter your
password or re-enter personal information.


WHAT YOU CAN DO:

 * Only click on links within emails from senders you know.
 * When in doubt, contact the company directly using the phone number on a
   statement or on their legitimate website.

Read More > 8 Financial Scams to Watch Out For


TELEPHONE SCAM


HOW THEY WORK:

Scammers call selling fake products or pretending to be customer service
representatives. What they’re really after is your financial and personal
information. They’re masters at dialogue and will try to keep you on the phone
to win your trust.


WHAT YOU CAN DO:

 * Hang up immediately.
 * Unless you initiate the call, do not buy anything over the phone.
 * Consider placing your number on the National Do Not Call Registry.
 * Better yet, stop answering the phone. Let the phone call go to voicemail.
   Scammers won’t usually leave messages, but people who have a legitimate
   reason to contact you will leave a message.

Read More > 8 Financial Scams to Watch Out For


LOTTERY/
SWEEPSTAKES SCAM


HOW THEY WORK:

Someone contacts you about winning the lottery or a sweepstakes. And, to claim
the prize, the caller asks you to pay a processing fee by sending money, paying
with credit card or debit card from your checking account. The caller may also
ask you to confirm personal information like your credit card account numbers,
birth date or Social Security number.


WHAT YOU CAN DO:

 * Don’t fall for this one — legitimate promotions never ask you to pay to
   receive a prize.
 * Report this to your local authorities.

Read More > 8 Financial Scams to Watch Out For


DELIVERY GIMMICK


HOW THEY WORK:

A person shows up at your door with a bouquet of flowers or some other gift
someone “sent” you. But in order to collect the gift, you must pay a small
handling fee (usually a few dollars), payable only by credit card. In this ploy,
the scammer “skims” your credit card information during what appears to be a
normal transaction. Criminals use a small device to steal that information when
a card is swiped.


WHAT YOU CAN DO:

 * Never accept any delivery that requires you to pay a fee unless you ordered
   it C.O.D. (cash on delivery).

Read More > 8 Financial Scams to Watch Out For


PIN SCAM


HOW THEY WORK:

Scammers contact you by phone, email or text, posing as Citi or a trusted
merchant. They ask you to provide your Citi Personal Information Number by
speaking it over the phone or sending it via email or text.


WHAT YOU CAN DO:

 * Don't share your PIN.
 * Remember that no one at Citi will ever ask you to say or send your PIN.
 * Do not use your PIN on a non-Citi site or app.
 * Choose PINs that are hard to guess.

Read More >


WIRE TRANSFER/
ZELLE® SCAM


HOW THEY WORK:

Scammers are not only convincing customers to send money, but they are also
directing the methods the customer should use to complete the payment. Two of
the payment types being used by scammers are Wire Transfers and Zelle® because
they are fast, cannot be stopped once the funds are sent, and are very difficult
to recover later.


WHAT YOU CAN DO:

Never wire money, or send money via Zelle® to:

 * Anyone who claims to be from a government agency.
 * Any stranger, no matter what reason they give.
 * A telemarketer trying to sell you something.
 * Anyone claiming your account is compromised.
 * Unauthorized, unverified cryptocurrency sites or salespeople.
 * Anyone asking you to send money to yourself.

Read More >


REMOTE COMPUTER
ACCESS SCAM


HOW THEY WORK:

Fraudsters try to persuade you to give them remote control of your computer so
they can steal your personal information and money.


WHAT YOU CAN DO:

 * Only give remote access or download remote access software when you initiate
   contact with a legitimate company through a verified website or phone number.

Read More >


PERSONAL
INFORMATION SCAM


HOW THEY WORK:

Scammers compile information over time that you share through social media, or
in response to scam calls, emails or texts. This information can then help
fraudsters access your accounts.


WHAT YOU CAN DO:

 * Don't print SSN or driver license numbers on checks.
 * Keep your PIN secure, and don't share it.
 * Wipe information from donated/discarded computers.
 * Use a password manager.
 * Collect your mail from your mailbox daily.
 * Review your credit report regularly.
 * Use only verified company websites.
 * Don't enter personal information via a public computer.
 * Shred documents.
 * Be careful about information shared on social media.
 * Don't reveal information to "nice" strangers.

Read More >


BANK IMPERSONATION
SCAM


HOW THEY WORK:

You receive what sounds like a legitimate call or appears to be an email from
your bank, a reputable vendor or your insurance company about suspicious
activity or a problem with your account. If it's a call, you'll be asked to
provide some additional information, like the security code on the back of your
card. If it's an email or text, you may be provided with a link to a fake
website that requires you to log in and verify information. Cyber criminals
often target consumers of well-known companies because there's already a level
of trust that’s been established.


WHAT YOU CAN DO:

 * Be alert if asked to provide personal details via an unsolicited call, text
   or email link.
 * Check real email address of sender by hovering or clicking on the sender's
   name.
 * Hang up or ignore text or email, and contact the sending company's website
   directly, or call Citi using the number on the back of your card.

Read More > Scams Happen: What You Should Know


FAKE FUNDRAISER/
CHARITY SCAM


HOW THEY WORK:

Scammers know that people are particularly generous around the holidays, so they
often pose as representatives with a charity or other organization seeking
donations. They typically ask that you give money by using a credit card or a
direct debit from your checking account. They don’t accept mail-in donations,
citing that the cause is urgent and needs your immediate attention.


WHAT YOU CAN DO:

 * Be certain you are interfacing with the charity when donating over the phone
   or online, whether it’s to police organizations or a cancer-fighting cause.
 * To be on the safe side, consider looking up the group’s physical address and
   mailing your donations directly.

Read More > 8 Financial Scams to Watch Out For


BUSINESS EMAIL
COMPROMISE


HOW THEY WORK:

Fraudsters pose as legitimate companies that you know and trust. They send you
fake invoices to pay or direct you to a fake website and request that you enter
your personal information.


WHAT YOU CAN DO:

 * Verify sender's email address.
 * Notice red flags: grammar errors, urgent requests.
 * Scrutinize links and attachments.
 * Contact sender via verified phone number.

Read More > Working Remotely? Be Aware of these Home Office Scams


SWEETHEART/
ROMANCE SCAM


HOW THEY WORK:

Scammers capitalize on the popularity of dating sites by establishing online
relationships with victims. Once they gain your friendship and confidence, they
ask for money or private, sensitive information.


WHAT YOU CAN DO:

 * Only accept friend requests from people you know, and be careful with online
   friendships.
 * Hit delete if your “friend” asks too many personal questions or requests to
   borrow money.

Read More > 8 Financial Scams to Watch Out For


MOBILE PHONE
TAKEOVER


HOW THEY WORK:

Your mobile phone abruptly stops working. There are no bars for cellular
coverage and phone calls aren't coming in. What's happened here is a SIM card
swap scheme. A cyber-criminal has switched your phone number from one wireless
provider to another, so your phone is no longer receiving calls or texts.


WHAT YOU CAN DO:

 * Contact your mobile phone provider immediately. Cyber criminals can do a lot
   in a short amount of time, so be vigilant and don't wait.
 * Make it harder for cyber criminals to initiate a SIM swap by setting up
   two-factor verification with your mobile provider.

Read More > Scams Happen: What You Should Know


GRANDPARENT CONS


HOW THEY WORK:

Someone posing as a relative (like your “grandson”) sends an email or calls you
saying he or she is in trouble and needs you to wire money right away. The
scammer asks you not to tell anyone and directs you to a neighborhood location
to transfer or send the funds.


WHAT YOU CAN DO:

 * No matter how convincing it sounds, don’t fall for this tale of woe.
 * Notify police immediately and provide them with the details for wiring or
   sending the money, if you have it.

Read More > 8 Financial Scams to Watch Out For


SURPRISE ACCOUNT IN
YOUR NAME


HOW THEY WORK:

You receive a call from a debt consolidation or debt settlement company that
offers to negotiate with creditors and put all your debt into one account, to
make it easier to pay off debt faster. Soon after, you discover that you have a
new banking or credit card account opened in your name with an exorbitant
service fee added on top.


WHAT YOU CAN DO:

 * Don't give your information to a "debt consolidation company" or "debt
   settlement company."
 * If you need to consolidate your debt, seek advice from a trusted financial
   advisor and work directly with a reputable financial institution.

Read More > Scams Happen: What You Should Know


IRS FRAUD


HOW THEY WORK:

Beware of calls, letters and emails from fake IRS agents about bogus tax bills.
They use the authority of the agency to scare their victims into verifying
personal information, such as your Social Security number or birth date, or
providing or confirming financial information like your bank’s routing number or
a credit card number.


WHAT YOU CAN DO:

 * Hang up if you receive such a phone call.
 * If you receive a letter from the IRS, do not call the number on the letter.
   Instead, do a quick online search for the phone number of the IRS, and call
   that one to find out if the letter is valid.

Read More > 8 Financial Scams to Watch Out For


HOME OFFICE
SECURITY HACKS


HOW THEY WORK:

Fraudsters try to gain access to your home office computer, or other devices
that you use to conduct business.


WHAT YOU CAN DO:

 * Keep your device malware up to date.
 * Only use company devices for work tasks.
 * Use secure virtual private network at home.
 * Don't use public Wi-Fi.
 * Don't allow access to your company devices.

Read More > Working Remotely? Be Aware of these Home Office Scams


HOME OFFICE DATA
COMPROMISE


HOW THEY WORK:

Fraudsters use various tactics to try to access the data and information that
you use in your home office.


WHAT YOU CAN DO:

 * Create strong passwords to access business files.
 * Use secure cloud backups to store business data.
 * Secure online meetings or group chats.
 * Use encrypted passwords or multifactor authentication to log in to
   collaborative tools.
 * Use a secure password manager to keep track of login details.

Read More > Working Remotely? Be Aware of these Home Office Scams


EMAIL/TEXT PLOY


HOW THEY WORK:

These scams inform you that a company’s website has been hacked or that the
company needs to update your information. You get directed to a fake website
that looks official and very similar to the real one and are asked to enter your
password or re-enter personal information.


WHAT YOU CAN DO:

 * Only click on links within emails from senders you know.
 * When in doubt, contact the company directly using the phone number on a
   statement or on their legitimate website.

Read More > 8 Financial Scams to Watch Out For


TELEPHONE SCAM


HOW THEY WORK:

Scammers call selling fake products or pretending to be customer service
representatives. What they’re really after is your financial and personal
information. They’re masters at dialogue and will try to keep you on the phone
to win your trust.


WHAT YOU CAN DO:

 * Hang up immediately.
 * Unless you initiate the call, do not buy anything over the phone.
 * Consider placing your number on the National Do Not Call Registry.
 * Better yet, stop answering the phone. Let the phone call go to voicemail.
   Scammers won’t usually leave messages, but people who have a legitimate
   reason to contact you will leave a message.

Read More > 8 Financial Scams to Watch Out For


LOTTERY/
SWEEPSTAKES SCAM


HOW THEY WORK:

Someone contacts you about winning the lottery or a sweepstakes. And, to claim
the prize, the caller asks you to pay a processing fee by sending money, paying
with credit card or debit card from your checking account. The caller may also
ask you to confirm personal information like your credit card account numbers,
birth date or Social Security number.


WHAT YOU CAN DO:

 * Don’t fall for this one — legitimate promotions never ask you to pay to
   receive a prize.
 * Report this to your local authorities.

Read More > 8 Financial Scams to Watch Out For


DELIVERY GIMMICK


HOW THEY WORK:

A person shows up at your door with a bouquet of flowers or some other gift
someone “sent” you. But in order to collect the gift, you must pay a small
handling fee (usually a few dollars), payable only by credit card. In this ploy,
the scammer “skims” your credit card information during what appears to be a
normal transaction. Criminals use a small device to steal that information when
a card is swiped.


WHAT YOU CAN DO:

 * Never accept any delivery that requires you to pay a fee unless you ordered
   it C.O.D. (cash on delivery).

Read More > 8 Financial Scams to Watch Out For
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