⚠️ Stay Alert and Protect Your Accounts
A recent scam in Tangipahoa Parish has left a local family devastated after their bank account was drained in under 30 minutes. The scammers posed as their bank’s fraud department, spoofed a legitimate Baton Rouge phone number, and used urgency and fear to trick the victim into sharing sensitive information.
This incident is a stark reminder that scammers are becoming more sophisticated and more aggressive in Louisiana. Campus Federal is committed to helping you stay informed and protected.
What Happened?
The scam began with a phone call from what appeared to be a local branch. The caller claimed there were suspicious charges on the victim’s account and urgently requested the last four digits of the card number and a texted access code. Within minutes, the family’s account was emptied.
Even though the phone number matched a real branch, it was spoofed which is a common tactic scammers use to appear legitimate.
What You Can Do to Stay Safe
Here are essential tips to protect yourself from phone banking scams:
- Never share your card number, PIN or access codes over the phone. Campus Federal will never ask for this information via phone, text or email.
- Hang up and call us directly at 888-769-8841. Don’t trust the number that called you.
- Don’t rely on caller ID. Scammers can spoof real business numbers to make their calls look legitimate.
- Enable transaction alerts. Set up text or email notifications for account activity so you can catch unauthorized charges quickly.
- Use strong passwords and multi-factor authentication (MFA). Protect your online banking with secure credentials and verification codes.
- Pause before acting. Scammers often create a sense of urgency. Take a moment to think before sharing any information.
- Report suspicious calls immediately. Contact our fraud department or call the Louisiana Consumer Protection Hotline at 800-351-4889.
You can also report and research scams for free through the Better Business Bureau’s Scam Tracker: bbb.org/scamtracker.
Scammers prey on trust and vulnerability. If something feels off, it probably is. Protect yourself and your family by staying informed and cautious. If you ever receive a suspicious call or message, please contact us immediately. We’re here to help!