How can I protect against fraud or scams?

Protect your personal and financial information. Understand that criminals may take advantage of COVID-19 by using fraudulent websites, phone calls, emails, and text messages claiming to offer “help” but may be trying to trick people into providing Social Security numbers, bank account numbers, and other valuable details. Do not divulge your credit union or credit card numbers or other personal information over the phone unless you initiated the conversation with the other party and you are certain of the identity of the person you are speaking with. In addition, you should be cautious about online solicitations. Be on guard against imposters who contact you claiming to be government employees or volunteers and who ask for personal financial information or money. Reject offers to cash a check for someone in exchange for a fee, even if the financial institution makes the funds available to you right away, as it may later turn out that the check was fraudulent.