At Affinity, we want you to feel confident managing your money online—not afraid to use the tools that make life easier. You don’t need to become an AI expert. Start by recognizing these common situations and giving yourself permission to pause before responding.

AI-cloned voices asking for urgent help

Imagine receiving a call that sounds like your child or another loved one saying they’re in trouble and need money immediately. Scammers can use a short audio clip, including one posted online, to imitate someone’s voice. Hearing a voice you recognize is no longer enough to confirm who’s speaking. Before sending money, hang up and call your loved one using a number you already have. If they don’t answer, contact another family member or friend to check the story. One way to combat this is with a private family password or phrase to help verify emergency requests.

Fake alerts about your financial accounts

A message claiming there’s fraud on your account can make you feel like you need to act immediately. An impersonator may ask for a verification code or instruct you to transfer your savings into a supposedly “safe” account. In an event like this you do not move money or share any verification codes. End the conversation and check with your financial institution directly by calling the phone number on the back of your credit or debit card.

At Affinity, we send legitimate automated fraud alerts, but we do not contact you to request your password, one-time passcode or card number. Caller ID can also be falsified, so a familiar number is not proof that a call came from us. When you’re unsure, call the number on your card or contact us directly.

Convincing texts and emails about everyday tasks

When you’re juggling work, bills and family responsibilities, a message about a missed delivery or overdue payment can easily catch your attention. These impersonation attempts may direct you to a copied website that asks for your login or payment information. Our phishing guidance recommends checking the request through the organization’s official website or a trusted phone number instead of using the link or contact details in the message.

Fake online relationships

An online connection may have convincing photos and even appear on video, but those details do not guarantee that the person is genuine. Scammers can use AI-generated profiles and videos to build trust. Avoid sending money or sharing sensitive financial information with someone you’ve met only online.

Job offers that ask you to pay first

When you’re looking for extra income, a flexible remote job can sound appealing. In a recent alert, the Federal Trade Commission warned¹ about fake recruiters impersonating recognizable companies through unexpected texts. Some eventually ask you to deposit money to complete online tasks or deposit a check and send part of the money back. Don’t let a professional-looking message rush you into replying. A supposed job that requires you to send money to receive your earnings is a major warning sign.

Build protection into your everyday routine

Our Fraud Prevention Hub² offers guidance on impersonation, phishing, social media scams and other threats. It also outlines practical habits you can start today: use different passwords for your accounts, enable an additional login-verification step where available, and set up balance and transaction alerts. Review your account activity regularly rather than waiting for a problem to become obvious.

If you think you’ve shared information or sent money to a scammer, don’t let embarrassment delay getting help. Notify any payment service involved, ask whether the transaction can be reversed, change compromised passwords and report the scam to the Federal Trade Commission. Recovering money is not guaranteed, but reporting promptly gives you the opportunity to explore available options.

You also have support beyond your accounts: Affinity members can access CyberScout identity theft resolution services at no cost³, including one-on-one assistance from a personal advocate. You don’t have to navigate the recovery process alone.

This information is for informational purposes only, is intended to provide general guidance, and does not constitute legal, tax, or financial advice. Each person's circumstances differ and may not apply to the specific information provided. You should seek the advice of a financial professional, tax consultant, and legal counsel to discuss your particular needs before making any financial or other commitments regarding the matters related to your condition.

¹ Retrieved from: https://consumer.ftc.gov/consumer-alerts/2026/04/job-offer-text-probably-scam

² Retrieved from: https://www.affinityfcu.com/fraud-prevention-hub/

³ Retrieved from: https://www.affinityfcu.com/security-center/cyberscout