Fraud Protection

Protecting your financial information is our number-one priority.

Be Scam Smart Presentations

Join the First Federal team for an in-person seminar to learn how to protect yourself against scams and identity theft. This interactive presentation will review the top scams happening in our community, and how to avoid them. Additional topics to be discussed include cyber crime, bank fraud, online scams, and phishing attacks.

Presentations are currently being scheduled for the 2025 year and will be posted here.

Types of Fraud

Scammers frequently change their approach, trying new tactics and messaging to trick people. We encourage you to stay up to date on the latest scams. Remember, First Federal will never call and ask you for personal information. Recognize the signs of a scam and report it.

Social Security Scams

Scammers may use regular mail delivery to send fraudulent letters on SSA letterhead, advising the recipient to call a toll-free number to activate an increase in SSA benefits, such as a cost-of-living adjustment (COLA). The letters appear to be from an SSA official and are on SSA letterhead. The scammer will try to get your social security number or money.

Family Emergency Scams

Family emergency scams, often referred to as the 'grandparent scam' are often perpetrated when an older adult is called by someone pretending to be a grandchild or relative of the potential victim. Callers make claims such as being arrested in a foreign country or being involved in a car accident. They ask the victim to send money so they can return home safely and not to tell anyone so they don’t get into more trouble.

Pop-Up Scams

Pop-up computer scams are a type of cyber-attack where fraudsters impersonate legitimate tech support representatives, often claiming to be from reputable companies like Microsoft or Apple. It is crucial to be aware of these scams and never trust unsolicited pop-ups. If you encounter these pop-ups, it’s best to shut down your computer and seek the advice of a trusted IT professional.

Learn more about Pop-Up Scams

Debit Card Skimming

Fraudsters attempt to hijack your personal information and your identity by tampering with ATM machines by setting up a device that is capable of capturing the debit card magnetic strip and keypad information from the ATM. Be observant when using an ATM, if something seems wrong, find another machine to use.

Mobile App Fraud

Fraud or fake app is an app that’s created to mirror a legitimate app available in the App Store or Play Market. The scammers’ goal is to create an app that people will mistake for the actual popular app and download to their phones. The app could contain malware, flood the user with hundreds of ads which the scammer collects money from, or be a fake app which was paid for by the user.

Phishing

Phishing is a type of online scam that targets consumers by sending them an e-mail or text message that appears to be from a well-known source – an internet service provider, a bank, or a mortgage company, for example. It asks the consumer to provide personal identifying information. Then a scammer uses the information to open new accounts, or invade the consumer’s existing accounts.

Banzai Financial Literacy

In an era where digital transactions are commonplace, understanding how to protect yourself from fraud is essential. That's why First Federal has partnered with Banzai to provide a comprehensive educational resource designed to sharpen your fraud detection and prevention skills.

Our user-friendly and interactive platform makes learning about financial security engaging and accessible. With Banzai, you'll gain vital knowledge about recognizing fraud, understanding common scams, implementing effective strategies to secure your financial information, and much more.

Embrace the journey to financial safety with us. Start exploring Banzai today and take a proactive step towards securing your financial future. Because at First Federal, your security is our highest priority.

Explore Banzai

#BanksNeverAskThat

In 2022, scammers stole over $8.8 billion from regular people like you. With online and mobile banking adoption on the rise, the problem of falling victim to cybercrime is on the rise.

Every day, thousands of people fall victim to fraudulent calls, emails and texts from scammers pretending to be from their bank. We want to change that.

Along with the American Bankers Association, we want every bank customer to be equipped with the knowledge to spot a phishing scam. There are a million different scams out there, but a simple start to combating fraud is with these four words: Banks Never Ask That. You can rely on financial institutions like First Federal to act consistently and in line with privacy and security best practices. Knowing what would be unusual for your bank will help you identify when something appears suspicious so that you are less likely to be fooled.

Watch out for these 5 red flags of phishing in emails, calls, and texts:

  1. They ask you to open a link.
  2. They use urgent or fear-inducing language.
  3. They send an attachment.
  4. They request personal info like PINs, passwords, or social security numbers.
  5. They pressure you to log into, or send money with, payment apps.

You can always contact us with any questions or concerns at (503) 472-6171 or 888-317-8333 and visit BanksNeverAskThat.com to learn more.

BanksNeverAskThat.com

Money Smart for Older Adults

Financial exploitation has been called “the crime of the 21st century” with one study suggesting that older Americans lost at least $2.9 billion to financial exploitation in 2010 by a broad spectrum of perpetrators, including persons they know and trust, as well as strangers. Cognitive impairment diminishes the ability of some older adults to make financial decisions and to detect frauds and scams. This epidemic is under the radar. The cases tend to be very complex and can be difficult to investigate and prosecute. Elders who lose their life savings usually have little or no opportunity to regain what they have lost. Elder financial exploitation can result in the loss of the ability to live independently. It can also result in a decline in health, broken trust, and fractured families. Awareness is the first step. Planning ahead for financial wellbeing and the possibility of diminished financial capacity is critical. Reporting and early intervention are vital to preventing loss and recovering loss when possible.

Money Smart for Older Adults Resource Guide is designed to provide information and tips to help prevent common frauds, scams, and other types of financial exploitation in our community.

View Resource Guide

Fraud Resources for Small Business

In an era where digital operations are at the core of every business, the significance of cybersecurity cannot be overstated. We understand that the safety and security of your business operations are paramount. It is with this understanding and commitment to our business clients' well-being that we have curated this comprehensive resource packet designed to empower you and your business against the ever-evolving landscape of cyber threats. It is crafted to serve as both a preventative guide and a reactive toolkit, offering insights, best practices, and actionable steps to safeguard your business against scams and cyberattacks.

In the resource guide you will find:

  • Start with Security: A comprehensive guide to ensure your business is following comprehensive security measures.
  • Scams and Your Small Business: Learn the signs of scams that target businesses.
  • Data Breaches – What to know, What to do: A resource for your customers should they be impacted by a data breach at your business.
  • Data Breach Response Guide: A guide addressing the steps to take once a breach has occurred.
  • Contact Information: A directory of essential contacts, including local law enforcement, cybersecurity experts, and our dedicated team at First Federal, ready to assist you 24/7.

We encourage you to review these materials carefully and integrate the recommended practices into your business operations. By being proactive in your cybersecurity efforts, you can significantly reduce the risk of falling victim to cyber threats.

Download Business Fraud Resources

Download Business Fraud Resources (Spanish)

Help Us Help You

Forward suspicious emails posing as First Federal to customerservice@firstfedweb.com.

To report any suspected fraud concerning your First Federal accounts, call (503) 472-6171 or (888) 317-8333 during business hours.

Online Banking

With online and mobile banking, you can do just about everything you can do in a branch, without visiting the branch. Securely access your accounts 24/7, pay bills, transfer money, deposit checks, and monitor your credit score.

Learn More about Online Banking