Fraud Watch - August 2025
💬 Think Before You Share: How Oversharing on Social Media Can Lead to Fraud
Social media is a great way to connect with friends, share life updates, and celebrate milestones—but it can also open the door to scammers. More than ever, fraudsters are mining platforms like Facebook, Instagram, and even LinkedIn for personal information they can use to commit identity theft, financial fraud, or manipulate people through romance scams.
What you post online may feel casual and harmless, but in the wrong hands, those details can become dangerous.
🕵️ How Scammers Use Social Media Against You
Here’s how oversharing can turn into a scammer’s goldmine:
Personal Details: Posting your birthday, location, job title, kids’ names, or even your pet’s name gives scammers clues to common password and security question answers.
Vacation Announcements: Telling the world you’re out of town can signal when you’re away from home—or distracted and more vulnerable to phishing or urgent scams.
Relationship Status Updates: Romance scammers look for newly single users or those posting about loneliness to begin emotional manipulation schemes.
Photos and Check-Ins: Images of new cars, expensive purchases, or frequent check-ins can make you a target for financial fraud or fake “giveaway” scams.
❤️ The Danger of Romance Scams
Romance scams are especially common on social media and dating apps. Scammers build emotional connections using fake identities, then convince victims to send money, gift cards, or even bank information.
They often study your profile and tailor their approach based on your interests and posts. If someone you don’t know well starts asking for money, financial help, or gift cards—it’s a red flag.
🔒 How to Protect Yourself
You don’t have to stop using social media—but you should use it wisely. Here’s how:
Review Your Privacy Settings: Make your accounts private and limit who can see your posts.
Avoid Posting Sensitive Info: Skip sharing your full birthday, travel plans, or financial milestones.
Be Skeptical of Strangers: Be cautious with friend requests or messages from people you don’t know.
Don’t Share Images of Checks, Cards, or IDs: Even partially visible numbers can be used for fraud.
Watch for Red Flags in Online Relationships: If someone moves fast, avoids video calls, or asks for money—it’s likely a scam.
🛡️Steps with Serve CU to protect yourself against Fraud:
Social media should be a place to connect—not a gateway to financial loss. By thinking twice before you post and keeping your accounts secure, you can protect yourself and your finances.
Don’t be embarrassed, this is a scammer’s full time job, and they’re good at it!
Report the scam to your financial institution immediately
Monitor and freeze accounts if needed
Change passwords and enable alerts
“A member came to me looking for a quick loan and said it was for basic repairs. Right away, I noticed some inconsistencies and started asking questions. As the story unraveled, it became clear—a romance scam was in play.
These scams often follow a pattern where the ‘love interest’ ultimately creates a sense of urgency or danger.
After minimal research, the truth surfaced instantly—it was a known scam. But the hardest part isn’t uncovering the scam, it’s explaining it to the victim.
There’s shame, denial, and grief—not just over the financial loss, but over being deceived. But remember: this is what scammers do for a living. They are very good at it.
Let Serve Credit Union be your trusted partner—we’re here to ask the right questions, protect your finances, and support you every step of the way.”