En Coopealianza we always care about the well-being of our associates and clients. Therefore, we continually recommend taking action to prevent falling victim to financial scams whether over the phone or using the Internet.
Today we want to share with you 7 fundamental tips to apply during 2023 and better protect your physical integrity and your assets.
7 tips to prevent financial scams
- When you are going to carry out a procedure on the website of your financial institution, know its exact address or domain (coopealianza.fi.cr for example), and enter it manually in your browser. Do not search for it on Google because the first results that appear may be fake and they just want to steal your information to clean up your accounts later.
- Never answer emails where supposed financial entities request personal data and do not click on the link they share with you. Banking institutions and cooperatives, for example, will never ask for sensitive information in this way or ask you to change passwords in this way.
- Also, do not share sensitive personal or financial information over the phone with anyone. Each day, these scams are more elaborate and may include calls, emails, WhatsApp messages, among others.
- Be attentive to the wording of the message or the person's way of expressing himself. Generally, they are very "tacky" and write with misspellings or do not treat you with the same respect as when you visit a bank branch. Informality could be considered a warning sign of a possible scam.
- Do not trust in promotional notices, gifts, discounts, loans or any cut in service. It is necessary that you always corroborate the veracity of the information by contacting your trusted financial advisor.
- If possible, always choose two-step authentication to access sites where you store sensitive information, your social networks and even email.
- Finally, be aware that almost always these types of scams use the following methodologies:
- Scammers pose as a known organization (bank or cooperative).
- Scammers say there is a problem or a prize.
- Scammers pressure you to act immediately.
- Scammers tell you to pay in a specific way, and will never ask you to go to your financial institution's branch in person.
In short, it is always good to be doubly careful and cautious, and to safeguard your personal and financial information. Scammers are becoming more "professionalized" every day.
In case someone is contacting you saying that they represent Coopealianza, call right away al 2785-3000 or visit any of our 50 offices in the country to confirm the information, before making any change or movement.