Safeguarding our members’
information from fraudulent activity is a top priority for us. To help you stay
one step ahead of potential threats, we have compiled a list of helpful tips
you can use to protect yourself from scammers.

Don’t trust caller ID. Through a tactic known as
spoofing, scammers can make themselves appear as anything they want to on your
Caller ID. Do not share any personal information over the phone until you can
verify the legitimacy of whoever is calling, even if the Caller ID is from a
local number or a trusted business.  

Never click links in emails or
text messages from untrusted sources. If the message appears to be from Ascend and you are unsure
if it’s legitimate, call 800-342-3086 to confirm the validity of the message.
Do not call the phone number listed in the message.  

Never provide account data or
personal info. Ascend will never call you
and ask for a one-time verification code, PIN, password or other personal
identification details If you receive a text message asking for personal
information, it’s a scam.

Never send money to someone
you don't know in real life, especially
through third party services such as Zelle®, Venmo and Cash App. Don’t send a
payment with gift cards. Legitimate businesses will never request a gift card
to satisfy a bill. Ascend will never ask a member to verify a Zelle®
transaction or send money via Zelle® to make their account current.

Be wary of a message or caller
insisting that you take immediate action.
Scammers try to put you under pressure to act quickly, to make it more
difficult for you to think clearly.

If it sounds too good to be
true, it probably is. Beware of anyone
promising you quick cash or low risk opportunities. Take the time to ask
questions that can keep you from getting scammed.

Avoid grandparent scams. If someone claims to be a family member, verify with that
family member by calling them directly. If you think your grandchild needs
help, contact them directly, not by email, social media or text, or call their
parents before sending money unintentionally to a scammer.

Monitor your accounts
regularly. Keep a close eye on your
accounts, respond to fraud alerts and report unauthorized transactions right
away.

If you believe you have fallen
victim to a scam and fraud has affected your Ascend account, contact us
immediately at 800-342-3086 or visit us in branch. Your security is our top priority.

For more tips on fraud
prevention, check out how
to protect yourself from scammers this holiday season.