The holiday season is here, a time filled with family, celebration, shopping, and for many of us, a much-needed break. Unfortunately, it’s also a time when scammers ramp up their efforts. While most of us are focused on gift lists and travel plans, fraudsters are busy finding new ways to access sensitive account information.

Scams have become more sophisticated, often disguised as friendly phone calls or seemingly urgent text messages. That’s why it’s essential to stay alert, safeguard your information, and know what to do if you receive a suspicious message.

When the Phone Rings: Know What to Expect.

Your phone rings with a call claiming to be from your credit union. They tell you there’s an issue with your account, and they need your account number, or your Social Security number, or maybe even your online banking login.

Stop right there.

Direct Federal will never call you and ask for confidential information.
If a caller asks for sensitive details, even if they sound official, hang upright away.

Call our Member Service Team directly at 888.2DIRECT. It’s the easiest way to verify whether a call was legitimate. (Hint: If we really needed to reach you, we’d never ask for personal information over the phone.)

If you want to learn more about online security, you can click here to check out our financial wellness portal resources.

You Receive an “Urgent” Text Message? Pause.

Text scams can be particularly convincing, especially during the holidays when we make more purchases than usual. Maybe you get a message claiming your debit card has been compromised, or that we need to “verify your identity” to keep your account active.

But remember:

Direct Federal will never text, call, or email you asking to update or verify your personal information. That includes:

• Account numbers
• Online banking credentials
• Debit or credit card details
• One-time verification codes
• Answers to security questions
• Social Security numbers

If you receive a text claiming fraud on your debit or credit card, the safest next step is to call our Member Service Team at 888.2DIRECT.

Even if a message appears legitimate or the caller ID displays “Direct Federal”, trust your instincts. When in doubt, talk to us directly. It’s always better to double-check than risk your information.

If you want to learn more about online security, you can click here to check out our financial wellness portal resources.

We’re Always Here for You

Staying scam-smart doesn’t have to be stressful, especially when you know we’re here to help. If you ever have questions, worries, or just want to check whether something you received is real, our team is ready to assist. If you have any questions, please call our Member Service Team at any time. We’re available Monday – Friday from 8:00 am – 5:00 pm or on Saturday from 8:00 am – 1:00 pm.

This holiday season, give yourself the gift of peace of mind. Stay cautious, stay informed, and don’t hesitate to reach out. We’re here to support you during the holidays and all year long.