June 30, 2026
How to Tell the Difference Between a Real Fraud Alert and a Scam
People First Federal Credit Union and our fraud monitoring partners may contact you if suspicious activity is detected on your debit or credit card. These calls are intended to help protect your account and verify whether transactions were authorized.
A Legitimate Fraud Alert May:
- Ask if you recognize a specific transaction or merchant.
- Ask you to confirm whether you made a purchase.
- Inform you that your card has been temporarily blocked due to suspected fraud.
- Provide instructions on how to contact People First directly if additional action is needed.
- Direct you to call a verified phone number listed on your card, statement, or our website.
A Legitimate Fraud Alert Will NEVER:
- Ask for your online banking username or password.
- Ask for your one-time passcode (OTP) or security verification code sent by text or email.
- Ask you to read back a multi-factor authentication code.
- Ask for your full debit card number, CVV/security code, or PIN.
- Pressure you to act immediately or threaten account closure if you do not comply.
- Ask you to transfer money, purchase gift cards, or send funds to a “safe account.”
When in Doubt, Hang Up and Call Us
If you receive a call claiming to be from People First and you are uncertain whether it is legitimate:
- Politely end the call.
- Contact People First directly using the phone number on your debit card, account statement, or our official website.
- We can verify whether the call was legitimate and whether action is needed on your account.
Remember: A fraudster’s greatest tool is urgency. A legitimate fraud representative will understand if you choose to hang up and call People First directly.
