The stories change constantly. A grandchild is in jail and needs bail money. Your account has been compromised and funds must be moved to a "safe" account. You've won something, but taxes are due first. Scammers rewrite the narrative every few months, which is exactly why trying to memorize a list of scams doesn't work.

What doesn't change are the two levers underneath every version. You must act right now, and you can't tell anyone. Urgency exists to stop you from thinking clearly. Secrecy exists to keep you away from the spouse, coworker, or teller who would take one look and say, "wait a second." Together they isolate you at the exact moment you most need a second opinion.

So use those two things as your alarm bell instead. If a caller is pushing you to move fast and keep quiet, that is the scam, whatever the story happens to be. Hang up. Call the organization back at a number you look up yourself, not one the caller gave you. And tell someone. Firefighters Credit Union will never pressure you to act immediately or ask you to keep a transaction secret. If you're unsure about a call, reach us at 801-487-3219 and we'll check it out with you.

Learning to spot social engineering scams is one of the most important steps you can take to protect you and your accounts with Firefighters Credit Union.

• Social engineering happens when criminals try to trick you into giving up personal information, account access, or money by pretending to be someone you trust.
• These scams often look legitimate—an urgent text about a “locked account,” a phone call claiming to be from the credit union, or an email asking you to verify personal details.
• Attackers rely on pressure, fear, and urgency to get you to act quickly before you have time to think.

At Firefighters Credit Union, your safety is our priority. If you receive a suspicious message or call, hang up or delete it and contact us directly using the number on our website or your card. Taking a moment to pause and verify can stop a scam in its tracks. You can strengthen your defenses by learning how to recognize common tactics such as phishing emails, vishing calls, and smishing texts.We encourage all members to stay informed, trust their instincts, and reach out whenever something feels off.

Together, we can keep your accounts secure and ensure your financial well‑being remains protected. If you suspect you are being targeted by a social engineering scam, don’t hesitate to reach out to Firefighters Credit Union immediately. Our team is here to help protect you and your accounts.