Fraud & Security
Remember: Texans Credit Union will never ask for sensitive personal information, such as your Social Security number, PINs, account numbers, or a password in an email or text message.
Tips to Stay Safe From Fraud
Keep tabs on your accounts
Stay informed by customizing the account alerts you receive via email and text. Set spending alerts and controls for your debit and credit cards with Card Manager. Download the Texans CU mobile app to keep up with your accounts on the go.Protect your identity
Never share sensitive information, like your login details, account numbers, social security number, and PINs. Always verify that the person you're communicating with is a trusted source — especially if you get a text, email, or phone call.Get your credit report
Regularly request and review your credit report for any inaccuracies or unknown activity. Free weekly online credit reports are available from Equifax, Experian, and TransUnion at annualcreditreport.com.How to Stay Safe While Using Payment Apps
Mobile payment apps like Venmo, Zelle, and Cash App make it easy to split bills, send money to friends, or pay for services. But as these apps become more popular, scammers are getting smarter and sneakier.
From impersonating your financial institution to offering fake giveaways, here’s how scammers are targeting users and what you can do to protect your money.
Common Payment App Scams
While scams can take many forms, most follow a familiar pattern: they aim to trick you into sharing personal information or paying for something that doesn’t exist. Here are five common warning signs:
Financial Institution Impersonation Scams
Scammers pretend to be your credit union or bank, warning you of “suspicious activity” and navigates you through the process of transferring money into a new account in your name — which actually involves transferring money to the scammer.
Tip: Your financial institution will never ask you to move money to a new account or share sensitive information via text or call.
Fake Giveaway Scams
Scammers pose as official accounts on social media claiming you’ve won a prize. To “claim” the prize, you’re asked to pay a verification or process fee, but the prize never arrives.
Tip: Legitimate payment apps will never ask you to pay a fee to receive a prize.
Fake Customer Support
You search for help online and unknowingly find a fake support number. The scammer asks for your login credentials or sends a link to a phishing site.
Tip: Only use official support channels listing on the payment app or their website and never share login credentials, account numbers, or other sensitive information.
Impersonating a Loved One
An unexpected request for money comes from someone you recognize.
Tip: Speak with them directly to confirm the request is really from them before sending any funds.
How to Protect Yourself from Scams
- Enable multi-factor authentication and set a strong PIN
- Never send money to claim a prize or sweepstakes
- Verify requests by contacting the sender directly
- Use only official support channels listed on the payment app or their website
- Trust your instincts
What to Do If You’ve Been Scammed
1. Report suspicious activity to the payment app immediately.
2. File a complaint with the FTC at ReportFraud.ftc.gov.
3. Contact us at 972.348.2000 (800.843.5295).
4. Warn your friends and family — awareness helps stop scams.
Stay Aware of Common Scams
Bank Impersonation Scams
What It Is:
Fraudsters pretend to be bank or credit union employees and may reference real account details to gain your trust and trick you into sharing sensitive personal details or login credentials.
Red Flags:
🚩 Unexpected calls asking for login info
🚩 Pressure to quickly "verify" suspicious activity
🚩 Caller ID that doesn't match your bank
How to Stay Safe:
Hang up immediately if a call feels suspicious. Contact your bank or credit union directly using a trusted number. Remember: we will never ask for login info, PINs, or CVV codes.
Fake Loan Scams
What It Is:
Scammers pose as legitimate loan companies offering fast approval or easy money. They aim to access your account by requesting digital banking credentials and depositing fraudulent checks, which then bounce.
Red Flags:
🚩 Loan offers that seem too good to be true
🚩 Requests for bank account login info
🚩 Pressure to act quickly or lose the offer
How to Stay Safe:
Never share sensitive information or deposit checks from unknown sources. If something feels off, stop and verify before taking action.
Romance Scams
What It Is:
You meet someone online who claims to love you and develop a relationship, but you have never met them in person. They claim to urgently need money for travel, rent, or an emergency and need your help.
Red Flags:
🚩 Requests for cash or gift cards
🚩 Emotional manipulation
🚩 Excuses for not meeting in person
How to Stay Safe:
Never send money to someone you haven’t met in person. If it feels suspicious, talk to a trusted friend or contact Texans directly.
Employment Scams
What It Is:
You’re hired quickly and sent a check to buy gift cards or make test purchases. You’re told to keep part of the money, but the check will bounce.
Red Flags:
🚩 Overpayment
🚩 Urgent instructions to buy gift cards
🚩 No interview or vetting process
How to Stay Safe:
Don’t deposit checks from unknown sources. Use secure payment platforms and verify job offers by contacting the company directly.
Tech Support Scams
What It Is:
You’re told your device has a virus or is being hacked. The caller wants remote access and payment to “fix” it.
Red Flags:
🚩 Unsolicited tech support calls
🚩 Requests for remote access
🚩 Demands for payment via gift cards or crypto
How to Stay Safe:
Never give remote access to your device unless you initiated the support request. Always verify the company you're talking to is legitimate.
Family Emergency Scams
What It Is:
A caller claims your grandchild or another relative is in urgent trouble—in jail, in the hospital, or worse—and begs you to send cash immediately.
Red Flags:
🚩 Urgent emotional pleas
🚩 Requests for secrecy
🚩 Demands for cash or wire transfers
How to Stay Safe:
Verify the story independently. Call your family member directly before taking any action or sending any funds.
How to Stay Safe While Using Payment Apps
Mobile payment apps like Venmo, Zelle, and Cash App make it easy to split bills, send money to friends, or pay for services. But as these apps become more popular, scammers are getting smarter and sneakier.
From impersonating your financial institution to offering fake giveaways, here’s how scammers are targeting users and what you can do to protect your money.
Common Payment App Scams
While scams can take many forms, most follow a familiar pattern: they aim to trick you into sharing personal information or paying for something that doesn’t exist. Here are five common warning signs:
Financial Institution Impersonation Scams
Scammers pretend to be your credit union or bank, warning you of “suspicious activity” and navigates you through the process of transferring money into a new account in your name — which actually involves transferring money to the scammer.
Tip: Your financial institution will never ask you to move money to a new account or share sensitive information via text or call.
Fake Giveaway Scams
Scammers pose as official accounts on social media claiming you’ve won a prize. To “claim” the prize, you’re asked to pay a verification or process fee, but the prize never arrives.
Tip: Legitimate payment apps will never ask you to pay a fee to receive a prize.
Fake Customer Support
You search for help online and unknowingly find a fake support number. The scammer asks for your login credentials or sends a link to a phishing site.
Tip: Only use official support channels listing on the payment app or their website and never share login credentials, account numbers, or other sensitive information.
Impersonating a Loved One
An unexpected request for money comes from someone you recognize.
Tip: Speak with them directly to confirm the request is really from them before sending any funds.
How to Protect Yourself from Scams
- Enable multi-factor authentication and set a strong PIN
- Never send money to claim a prize or sweepstakes
- Verify requests by contacting the sender directly
- Use only official support channels listed on the payment app or their website
- Trust your instincts
What to Do If You’ve Been Scammed
1. Report suspicious activity to the payment app immediately.
2. File a complaint with the FTC at ReportFraud.ftc.gov.
3. Contact us at 972.348.2000 (800.843.5295).
4. Warn your friends and family — awareness helps stop scams.
Contact us
Call Us
Reach a live person over the phone during the following business hours or get 24/7 automated assistance.
Monday–Thursday: 8:00 am - 5:00 pm CT
Friday: 8:00 am - 6:00 pm CT
Saturday: 8:00 am - 1:00 pm CT
Call 972.348.2000 or toll-free at 800.843.5295
24/7 Debit & Credit Card Help
Report debit or credit card fraud and get assistance with lost or stolen cards, anytime 24/7.
Debit cards: Call 1.800.843.5295
Premier Rewards card: Call 1.800.352.8783
All other credit cards: Call 1.800.331.2241
