Scammers today aren’t just hacking computers—they’re targeting people. This is called social engineering, and it’s all about tricking you into giving up personal info. They might pretend to be someone you trust, like a Stanford FCU employee, a utility rep or even a government official.

Here are common tactics to watch for:

• Impersonation scammers pretend to be a trusted rep or a well-known charity to trick you into sharing login info or sending money.
• SIM swapping happens when someone takes over your phone number to intercept security codes and gain access to your accounts.
• Phishing is when fake emails or texts look real but are designed to steal passwords or personal information.
• Vishing involves phone calls that try to create urgency or fear, pushing you to share information or send money.
• Spoofing occurs when calls or websites are made to look like they’re from a familiar company, even when they’re not.

How you can stay protected:

• Never share passwords, PINs, or secure access codes.
• If you’re unsure, call the company back using the official phone number.
• Ask your phone carrier to block SIM changes and call forwarding.
• Use strong, unique passwords for each account.
• Only click links or open attachments from people you trust.
• Limit what personal info you share online.