Fraud Alert: Scammers Are Using FaceTime to Impersonate Credit Unions

How the FaceTime Scam Works

A scammer may contact you by phone or text, claiming to be from Patriot’s fraud department or another credit union team. They might warn you about an unauthorized transaction, a compromised account, or an urgent security issue.

The caller may then ask you to continue the conversation through FaceTime. By appearing professional and discussing what sounds like a legitimate account concern, the scammer attempts to gain your confidence.

From there, they may ask you to share your screen, sign in to online banking, or provide personal and account information to supposedly verify your identity or secure your account.

The danger is that sharing your screen can expose information you would never intentionally give to a stranger, including login credentials, account details, and one-time verification codes. A scammer may use that information to access your account or authorize fraudulent transactions.

Warning Signs to Watch For

Be cautious if someone claiming to represent Patriot:

• Contacts you unexpectedly through FaceTime or another video-calling app to discuss your account.
• Asks you to share your phone or computer screen.
• Requests your online banking password, PIN, full card details, or one-time verification code.
• Tells you to transfer money, withdraw cash, or move funds to another account to protect your savings.
• Pressures you to act immediately or tells you not to discuss the situation with anyone else.

Scammers may also manipulate caller ID or use information about Patriot and its employees to appear legitimate. Seeing a familiar name, logo, or phone number does not guarantee that the person contacting you is genuine.

How to Protect Yourself

If someone contacts you claiming to be from Patriot, take these precautions:

• Don’t share your screen. Never give an unexpected caller access to your phone or computer screen, particularly while signing in to financial accounts.
• Keep your security information private. Never disclose your online banking password, PIN, or one-time verification codes to someone who contacts you unexpectedly.
• Don’t move money at a caller’s direction. Patriot will never require you to transfer your money to another account or send it through cryptocurrency or gift cards to keep it safe.
• End the conversation and verify independently. If you’re unsure whether a call is legitimate, hang up and contact Patriot directly using the phone number on the back of your debit card or on our official website at patriotfcu.org. Don’t use a number or link supplied by the caller.

What If You’ve Already Answered the Call?

If you’ve participated in a suspicious FaceTime call, shared your screen, or disclosed sensitive information, don’t panic but act promptly.

Contact Patriot Federal Credit Union at 717-263-4444 to report your concerns and get help protecting your account. If you shared your online banking credentials or verification codes, tell the representative so appropriate steps can be taken to secure your access. Change compromised passwords using a trusted device, and review your account activity for transactions you don’t recognize.

Even if you aren’t sure whether information was exposed, it’s better to contact Patriot and discuss your concerns than to wait for suspicious activity to appear.

When in Doubt, Contact Patriot Directly

Scammers rely on trust, urgency, and convincing communication to make their requests seem legitimate. A video call may feel more personal, but seeing someone’s face doesn’t prove they’re who they claim to be.

If you receive an unexpected FaceTime call from someone claiming to represent Patriot Federal Credit Union, don’t share your screen or sensitive information. End the call and reach out to us through an official contact method to verify the situation.

Your financial security matters. Staying alert and taking a moment to verify unexpected requests can help protect your information and your hard-earned money.