Southland News

Fraud attempts are increasing across the financial industry, and scammers are becoming more sophisticated in how they try to obtain personal and banking information. At Southland, protecting our Members is a top priority. One of the most important steps you can take is understanding how these scams work and how to recognize the warning signs.

Fraudsters impersonating financial institutions

One tactic fraudsters are currently using involves impersonating financial institutions, including credit unions. Scammers may call, text or email you pretending to be from your bank or credit union in an attempt to gain your trust and collect sensitive information.

In many cases, these calls appear legitimate because scammers use a technique called spoofing. Spoofing allows them to manipulate the caller ID so that it appears the call is coming from a trusted organization, such as your financial institution.

Because of this, the phone number displayed on your phone may look real even though the call is coming from a fraudster.

Calls after business hours

A tactic we are seeing more frequently involves fraudsters calling Members after normal business hours, often in the evening. During these calls, scammers may claim there is suspicious activity on your account and say they need to verify your identity immediately.

These calls are designed to create urgency so that you feel pressured to provide information quickly.

It is important for Members to know that Southland will not call you outside of normal business hours to request sensitive account information.

If you receive a call claiming to be from us late in the evening or outside of normal operating hours, it may be a scam.

“Security questions” used to gather information

Another tactic fraudsters use is asking Members what appear to be legitimate security questions. These questions may include requests for:

Digital Banking usernames or passwords
Debit or credit card numbers
PIN numbers
Social Security numbers
Account numbers

Scammers may frame these questions as part of a “verification process” to help resolve a supposed issue with your account.

However, providing this information can give fraudsters access to your accounts.

We will never ask for your Digital Banking password or PIN over the phone.

Warning signs of a fraudulent call

Knowing the red flags can help you avoid becoming a victim of fraud. Be cautious if you experience any of the following:

A call claiming to be from your financial institution after normal business hours
A caller creating urgency or pressure to act quickly
Requests for passwords, PIN numbers or full card information
A caller asking you to move money or take immediate action

If something feels unusual or rushed, it is always best to pause and verify the situation.

What you should do if you receive a suspicious call

If you receive a call claiming to be from Southland and something does not seem right:

Do not provide any personal or banking information
Hang up immediately
Contact Southland directly at 800.426.1917

Speaking with one of our representatives directly can help confirm whether the communication was legitimate.

Steps you can take to protect yourself

While fraudsters continue to evolve their tactics, there are several steps you can take to help protect your accounts:

Never share your passwords or PIN with anyone
Be cautious of unexpected calls or messages requesting personal information
Regularly monitor your account activity for unusual transactions

Taking these precautions can help reduce the risk of fraud.

Staying vigilant

Financial fraud can happen to anyone, but staying informed is one of the most effective ways to protect yourself. By understanding the tactics scammers use and recognizing the warning signs, you can help keep your personal and financial information safe.

Southland remains committed to helping our Members stay informed and protected. If you ever receive a suspicious call or believe your information may have been compromised, please contact us right away so we can assist you.

Your security and trust are extremely important to us.