October is Cybersecurity Awareness Month, a great reminder that online safety isn't a one-time checklist, it's an ongoing habit. Scammers and cybercriminals are more sophisticated than ever, especially with AI’s uncanny ability to generate convincing fake messages, cloned voices and realistic looking websites in seconds.
With digital banking, online shopping and instant money transfers woven into daily life, criminals have more entry points than ever: email, text, phone calls, social media and even fake apps. What makes today's scams so effective isn't just the technology behind them, it's the psychology. Scammers create urgency, impersonate trusted organizations and push people to act before they've had a chance to think.
The good news is, a few consistent habits can dramatically lower your risk.
Urgency is the oldest trick in the book and it still works. Watch for messages claiming:
Legitimate institutions give you time to think. If a message is engineered to make you panic, that's the signal to pause, not comply.
Phishing emails, smishing texts and spoofed calls are designed to look like they're from your bank or credit union, a delivery service, a government agency or tech support. Logos, phone numbers and sender names can all be faked convincingly.
Never click a link or call a number from an unexpected message. Go directly to the company's official site or app or use a number you already know is real. Once you’re connected with a member of their team, they’ll be able to verify the legitimacy of the message you received.
Spotting a scam message is only half the battle. The other half is making sure your accounts and devices aren't an easy target in the first place. These best practices will help you protect your personal accounts and devices:
If someone asks you to pay via gift cards, wire transfer, cryptocurrency or a payment app sent to a personal account, treat it as a red flag. These methods are hard to trace and even harder to reverse once money is sent. Legitimate companies won’t ask for payment this way.
Guaranteed returns. Risk free investments. Fast, easy money. Real financial opportunities always carry some risk; scams are the ones promising none. The best financial decisions are usually the least dramatic ones.
Even AI generated scams tend to leave a trace: a slightly off email address, awkward phrasing, a link that doesn't quite match the company name. Take the extra few seconds to look, as it could save you both money and stress in the process.
Scammers count on emotion, urgency and distraction. This Cybersecurity Awareness Month, make it a habit to slow down and double check your digital security settings, not just your inbox.
Remember: BrightBridge will never ask for personal information over the phone, including debit card numbers, account numbers, passcodes or account balances. If you suspect fraud, call us directly at (800) 356-0067 to verify.
A: Some of the most common scams include phishing emails, fraudulent text messages (smishing), spoofed phone calls, fake online shopping websites, investment scams, and impersonation scams. Criminals often pose as banks, credit unions, government agencies, delivery companies, or tech support providers to gain access to personal information or money.
A: Be cautious of any unexpected message that creates urgency, asks for personal information, or directs you to click a link or call a phone number. Instead of responding directly, contact your financial institution using a trusted phone number or through its official website or mobile app.
A: Do not click any links, download attachments, or reply to the message. Verify the sender through official channels and report the message to the organization being impersonated. If the message appears to be from your financial institution, contact them directly to confirm whether it is legitimate.
A: Close the webpage immediately and avoid entering any information. Run a security scan on your device, update your passwords, and contact your financial institution right away if you believe any personal or financial information may have been compromised.
A: Contact your financial institution immediately. The sooner potential fraud is reported, the faster steps can be taken to secure your accounts, monitor for unauthorized activity, and help limit potential losses.
Category: Saving & Investing Money
Starting college is exciting, but it also brings new responsibilities, especially when it comes to managing money. Between housing, food, books and social plans, expenses can pile up quickly if you’re not careful. Whether you’re living on campus or commuting, building smart habits now can help you stay on top of your finances all semester long. Here are a few tips to make your money go further while you’re in school.
Life is unpredictable and you can be responsible for unexpected expenses at any moment. Whether it is a broken appliance, a minor accident or an urgent vet bill, having a financial cushion can make all the difference. An emergency fund acts as your safety net, helping you manage these surprises without stress or debt.
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Grocery costs have been climbing and many of us are feeling it at the checkout line. According to the Consumer Price Index*, prices rose by nearly 3% over the past year. If your weekly food bill feels heavier than it used to, you’re not alone. The good news is that a few simple habits can help you stretch your grocery budget further.
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With fraud and scams on the rise, we are taking extra steps to keep your accounts and personal information safe. As part of these efforts, you may notice that our online and mobile banking systems will now prompt you for multi-factor authentication more frequently.
Keeping your money and personal information safe is always our focus at BrightBridge Credit Union. Part of that commitment is helping you recognize the latest scams before they can cause harm. Recently, we’ve seen an increase in cases where fraudsters use alarming pop-ups or urgent messages to trick members into taking action that puts their money at risk.
Keeping your BrightBridge accounts safe starts with strong, unique passwords. Recent trends have shown an increase in people using the same password for multiple apps and websites including email, social media and online banking. While this practice seems like an easy way to remember your login credentials, it can put your accounts at serious risk.
Helping kids build healthy money habits starts earlier than many parents realize. The good news? You don't need to be a financial expert to teach valuable lessons about saving, spending and making smart financial choices.
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As a BrightBridge member, you have access to SavvyMoney, a free, real-time credit monitoring tool available through our online and mobile banking platforms. With weekly credit score updates, personalized insights, and credit-building tips, SavvyMoney helps you stay on top of your financial goals without hurting your credit score.
October is Cybersecurity Awareness Month, a great reminder that online safety isn't a one-time checklist, it's an ongoing habit.
Every October, credit unions and financial cooperatives around the world come together to recognize International Credit Union Day. This year's celebration falls on Thursday, October 15, marking the 78th anniversary of a tradition that began in 1948.
