From Bend to Redmond, Madras to Prineville, Central Oregonians are seeing more calls and texts that look local, sound urgent, and claim to be from a trusted organization. Some even appear to come from a real phone number. That does not mean the message is real.

Scammers often pretend to be a bank, credit union, delivery service, government agency, or well-known company. Their goal is simple: get you to act before you have time to think. They may say your account is locked, fraud has been detected, a payment is overdue, or you must verify personal information right away.

Red flags to watch for

  1. The message pressures you to act immediately or says “don’t hang up.”
  2. The caller or sender asks for your Digital Banking username, password, PIN, one-time passcode, Social Security number, or full card number.
  3. You are told to move money, withdraw cash, buy gift cards, use a payment app, send a wire transfer, or pay with cryptocurrency.
  4. The message includes an unexpected link or QR code, especially one that leads to a sign-in page.
  5. The caller ID or phone number looks familiar, but the request feels unusual, urgent, or out of character.
  6. The message says there is a problem with your account, a suspicious charge, a missed payment, or a prize you must claim right away.

At Mid Oregon Credit Union, we will never call, text, or email asking for your Digital Banking login credentials, password, PIN, Social Security number, or full debit or credit card number. If a message asks for that information, stop and verify.

What to do next

Do not click the link, scan the QR code, or call the number provided in the message. Hang up, delete the text, and contact the organization directly using a trusted phone number, official website, or mobile app. If the message claims to be from Mid Oregon, call or text our local Contact Center at 541-382-1795.

If you think you shared sensitive information or lost money, contact your financial institution right away, review recent account activity, block or replace affected cards, and consider reporting the scam to the Federal Trade Commission or Oregon Department of Justice.

Fraud prevention does not have to take away from everyday life in Central Oregon. Whether you are shopping at a farmers market, buying concert tickets, donating after wildfire season, or managing accounts on the go, a quick pause can protect your money and your peace of mind. When something feels urgent, unusual, or too good to be true, trust your instincts and verify first.

For more tips on protecting your personal information, visit Mid Oregon’s Security and Fraud Page: https://ow.ly/hjHm50V9XE1 [ow.ly].