Safeguard Against Text, Email and Phone Scams
Learn how to protect yourself from text, email and phone scams.
At APGFCU, we will never request your PIN (Personal Identification Number) or secure access code via text, email, or phone. Always sign in securely at apgfcu.com or through our official mobile app.
Our Member Services team may send you a one-time passcode (OTP) to verify your identity during secure interactions. When you contact us for assistance with your account, you may be asked to provide this code. For your protection, never share your codes with anyone who contacts you unexpectedly or claims to represent us without your prior request.
How to Identify a Scam
Fraudsters use fake texts, emails and spoofed calls to pose as trusted sources and trick you into sharing login details or downloading malware. Watch these short 1-minute videos on how to protect yourself from text, email and phone scams.
Text Scams Video
Learn how fraudsters use fake text alerts to trick you into giving up your credentials.
Email Scams Video
Phishing emails can look official. Learn how to spot and report them.
Phone Scams Video
Scammers may spoof APGFCU’s number to scare you into sharing sensitive information.
Disclaimer: The recommended videos that appear at the end of each video are automatically generated by YouTube based on the user's personal viewing history and preferences. These recommendations are not controlled by APGFCU.
What to Do If You’re Targeted
If you’ve received a text or email that appears to be from APGFCU but seems questionable, report it immediately to help protect your personal and financial information.
How to Report a Suspicious Message
- Forward the message to our Security Team.
- For an email: forward to [email protected] (without editing the subject line).
- For a text message: take a screenshot of the text message and email the screenshot to [email protected].
- For help taking a screenshot on your mobile device, see the instructions below for iPhone and Android
- Delete the original message after forwarding it.
- Do not click any links or open attachments in the suspicious message.
- If you clicked a link, opened an attachment, sent money, or shared sensitive information, call our Member Service Center at 1-800-225-2555.
- If the suspicious message is unrelated to APGFCU, consider contacting the organization directly to report the incident.
It is important to note that this reporting inbox is for incoming messages only. You will receive an automated confirmation email upon submission.
How to Check If Your Information Was Exposed
If you want to know whether your personal information, passwords, or email address have been exposed in a data breach, there are free tools available that can help you.
Steps to Check and Protect Your Data
- Check your exposure: Visit HaveIBeenPwned.com and enter your email address to see whether it has been identified in a known data breach.
- Update compromised passwords: If your email address or passwords appear in a breach, change those passwords immediately — especially for your banking and primary email accounts.
- Remove Personal Information from the Web: If sensitive information (such as your home address, phone number, or family details) is publicly visible online, consider taking steps to remove it. Personal data removal services can help automatically submit requests to data brokers and people-search websites to delete your information. Use a reputable service provider of your choice.
Security Tip: Cybercriminals frequently use information exposed in data breaches to create convincing phishing emails, text messages, and phone scams. Regularly monitoring your exposure and updating compromised credentials are important steps in protecting your accounts and personal information.
Scams and Fraud Prevention FAQs
- How do I prevent fraud and keep my personal financial account safe?
- NEVER answer questions from any incoming random phone call, text or email requesting information, even if it looks or sounds legitimate. Criminals have become adept at making texts, emails, etc. look official, and spoofing caller ID so the caller appears authentic.
- NEVER give out your online banking login credentials, Secure Access Code, card information, personal identification number (PIN) or other personal information requested by people contacting you unexpectedly.
- Remember, APGFCU will never call, text or email you asking you for information such as your online banking password, secure access code, debit card PIN, expiration date or CVV code on your card(s).
- APGFCU won’t call, text or email you asking you to change your PIN on the spot.
- Identity thieves may use tidbits of information they’ve learned about you to gain your trust and get you to provide more information. DON’T FALL FOR IT!
- Scammers will try to charm you into providing information. Others use pressure, creating a sense of urgency, to unsettle you and get you to give them information. Some may even become aggressive if you don’t comply. APGFCU representatives do not behave that way.
- It's okay to end the phone call. Simply tell the caller you’ll call them right back and hang up. Then, call APGFCU at our published phone numbers: 410-272-4000 or 800-225-2555.
If you voluntarily provide your sensitive information to anyone who is not an authorized user on your account, you may be responsible for the transactions and you may not get your money back.
If you receive an APGFCU Security Alert (i.e., new device added, login ID or password changed, secure access code contact changed, user profile updated, or security alert preferences changed) and you suspect fraudulent activity, please contact APGFCU immediately.
Please make sure your contact information and secure access delivery channels are up to date and add [email protected] to your safe senders list.
Within Online Banking, navigate to Settings > Alert Settings to edit your delivery preferences (email, phone, text) and to enable security alerts.
- How can I tell if a phone call from APGFCU is fake?
Scammers may call you using a spoofed caller ID that appears to be APGFCU. Their goal is to scare you into giving up sensitive information by claiming fraudulent activity is happening on your account and urgently request your:
- Card information
- Online Banking login ID
- Secure access code
Do not provide this information and end the call.
At APGFCU, we will never request your PIN (Personal Identification Number) or secure access code via text, email, or phone. Always sign in securely at apgfcu.com or through our official mobile app. Or, call our Member Service Center at 1-800-225-2555.
Our Member Services team may send you a one-time passcode (OTP) to verify your identity during secure interactions. When you contact us for assistance with your account, you may be asked to provide this code. For your protection, never share your codes with anyone who contacts you unexpectedly or claims to represent us without your prior request.
- What is a text message scam?
A text message scam is when a scammer sends an alarming text message about:
- A new device accessing your account
- A pending transfer of funds
These messages include fraudulent links that mimic APGFCU’s website and prompt you to enter your login information. Examples of fake links:
- APGFCUBANK.weebly.com
- http://myapgfcu.weebly[.]com
- celommi[.]it/apgfcu
Do not click these links. They are not affiliated with APGFCU.
At APGFCU, we will never request your PIN (Personal Identification Number) or secure access code via text, email, or phone. Always sign in securely at apgfcu.com or through our official mobile app. Or, call our Member Service Center at 1-800-225-2555.
Our Member Services team may send you a one-time passcode (OTP) to verify your identity during secure interactions. When you contact us for assistance with your account, you may be asked to provide this code. For your protection, never share your codes with anyone who contacts you unexpectedly or claims to represent us without your prior request.
- What should I do if I receive a suspicious text?
If you believe you’ve received a suspicious text or email message, please follow these steps:
- Forward the message (without editing the subject line) to: [email protected]
- Delete the original message after forwarding it.
- Do not click any links or open attachments in the suspicious message.
- If you clicked a link, opened an attachment, sent money, or shared sensitive information, call our Member Service Center at 1-800-225-2555.
- If the suspicious message is unrelated to APGFCU, consider contacting the organization directly to report the incident.
At APGFCU, we will never request your PIN (Personal Identification Number) or secure access code via text, email, or phone. Always sign in securely at apgfcu.com or through our official mobile app.
Our Member Services team may send you a one-time passcode (OTP) to verify your identity during secure interactions. When you contact us for assistance with your account, you may be asked to provide this code. For your protection, never share your codes with anyone who contacts you unexpectedly or claims to represent us without your prior request.
What to Do in Case of Fraud
Use the following methods to contact us if you have suspicious activity on your accounts, or if you suspect you are a victim of fraud or identity theft.
- Email through a secure email by logging into Online Banking.
- Call our Member Service Center at 410-272-4000 or our toll-free number, 1-800-225-2555.
- Email through a non-secure email with our Contact Us Form.
- Please do not include account numbers, your Social Security number, or any other personal financial information.
Fraud and Security Resource Library
