Hang Up! It's a scam.

Your phone rings and you see Piedmont Advantage Credit Union on your caller ID. You answer. The caller says he’s from PACU and that there is a problem with your account that needs immediate attention. He proceeds to ask for personal information, like your PIN or account password. What should you do?

Hang up! It’s a scam. The caller is using caller ID “spoofing,” where he uses technology to falsify the information transmitted to your caller ID to disguise his identity. This caller wants to trick you into divulging personal information that can be used to drain your account.

To protect the funds in your account, here are important things to know and do when this happens to you:

• In addition to calling, “spoofing” is done by email and text. If someone claiming to be from Piedmont Advantage Credit Union asks for personal information, don’t call the provided number or click on any link. We would never call, email or text you to ask for personally identifiable information.
• If someone claims to transfer you to PACU, hang up and call us immediately, 800.433.7228; or if you have a credit or debit card, call the phone number that is on the back of the card.

These scammers are sophisticated, low-life criminals. It is only a matter of time that you’ll be called, emailed or texted claiming to be your financial institution. Knowing the danger signs and staying alert for phone, email and text scams will keep your money safe from the nasty attempts of “spoofing.”