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Make Friends with your Finances | Volume 2: National Consumer Protection Week

Acadia Federal Credit Union Celebrates National Consumer Protection Week

By Kate Vaillancourt, Certified Credit Union Financial Counselor (CCUFC) and Austin Cyr, BSA / Fraud Analyst

Looking to protect yourself from fraud, identity theft, and scams? March 4 to 9, 2024, is National Consumer Protection Week (NCPW). Acadia Federal Credit Union has information for you during NCPW — and any time of the year. During this national, coordinated campaign, government agencies, consumer protection groups, and organizations like Acadia FCU work together to share information about consumer rights and help people learn to spot, report, and avoid scams.

Vaillancourt and Cyr

“By using the latest in technology and training, the team at Acadia FCU is committed to protecting your member information and recognizing fraud attempts, as we do our best to mitigate losses to you and to Acadia,” said Brian Stoliker, Acadia’s VP of Risk Management. “Even in light of this, we realize the best defense is your awareness. We are always happy to be a resource for you and will answer any questions you may have if you are unsure that you may be the victim of an attempted scam or fraud.”

Scammers are getting incredibly creative in their stories and run away with your money before you have a chance to blink. The Federal Trade Commission (FTC) works hard to enforce federal consumer protection laws that prevent fraud, deception, and unfair business practices. They are also the place to report scams and identity theft. They don’t just compile information, they help shut these places down, impose fines, and educate consumers to better protect us.

It is getting harder and harder to detect a scam, so when in doubt, take a break and ask for help before giving out your sensitive information or sending out money. If someone wants money NOW, it’s probably a scam. If they call you requesting information, hang up and call a number that you know to be real. You cannot trust caller ID anymore, it can easily be faked.

Please visit any one of our branches for more information on how to protect yourself against fraud and scams. You can also visit the FTC website for online resources. If you believe you have been a victim of a scam, please contact the FTC to report it.

If you’d like more information about how to protect yourself from scams or have any questions, reach out to me directly at any time by sending an email to kvaillancourt@acadiafcu.org.

Together, we will become more vigilant!

__________

March 4, 2024

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