Fraudsters may send emails that look like they’re from your bank or a trusted company. These emails often:

• Are unexpected, which claim to come from a financial institution.

• Contain misspellings or unfamiliar sender addresses.

• Ask you to click a link or open an attachment

• Urgently request your PIN, username, or card details

• Use scare tactics to pressure you into acting quickly

 What to look out for:

• Check for misspellings or unfamiliar sender addresses.

• Urgent requests and threats

• Claims that your account has been compromised.

• Requests to “Open an Attachment” or “Click a Link”

Safety Tips:

• Be suspicious of unsolicited emails. Listen to your instincts - if something doesn’t feel right then stop and question it.

• If you are suspicious:

• Call the sender, if possible, to verify they sent the email, using a trusted number or visit their website by typing the address directly into your browser. Phone numbers provided in the email could be fake.

• Do not reply to the email, fill out any forms or follow any of the instructions specified.

• Do not click on any links as they may try to direct you to fake websites.

• Do not open attachments as they may infect your computer with malicious software.

• Consider setting up different email addresses for different purposes, such as one for your bank / Credit Union to contact you on, another for family and friends and another for social media accounts.

You should never:

• Click on or open suspicious links and attachments.

• Respond to unsolicited emails.

• Share your banking details or other personal information if requested via email.

Important: Sligo Credit Union will never send you a text asking for your full login details or one-time passcodes.

What to look out for:

• Texts claiming to be from your bank asking for personal or financial info

• Urgent language like “verify now” or threats of account suspension

• Links to fake websites or phone numbers to “update” your details

These scams are designed to steal your information and access your account.

Safety Tips:

• Don’t click on any links in suspicious texts

• Don’t call numbers included in the message

• Don’t respond unless you're certain it’s genuine — contact us if you're unsure

Scammers may call pretending to be from your bank, credit card company, or a trusted business. Their goal? To trick you into handing over your personal or banking information.

What to look out for: 

• Unexpected calls claiming your account is at risk

• Requests for your password, full login PIN, or account number

• Urgent threats or pressure to act immediately

• Claims of suspicious payments or overseas transfers

• Requests to transfer money out of your account

• Being asked to "confirm" the rest of your card number after being given the first few digits

• Mentioning recent purchases (like at a supermarket) to sound convincing

These are all tactics to create panic and gain your trust -  don’t fall for it.

Safety Tips: 

• Never share your personal or banking details over the phone

• Hang up on suspicious calls — do not call back any number they give you

• Sligo Credit Union will never ask for your full login PIN or account details by phone

The more personal info you share online, the easier it is for fraudsters to target you. Even basic details like your date and place of birth can be used to access your accounts.

Online Safety Tips:

• Check your privacy settings – control who sees your posts and profile

• Share less – avoid posting sensitive info like your full name, birthdate, or address

• Only connect with people you know

• Be cautious of urgent messages – even from friends. Their account might be hacked

• Avoid clicking suspicious links in messages, posts, or ads — even if they seem familiar

When in doubt, delete or ignore. Staying cautious helps protect your identity.

Protecting your card and PIN is key to keeping your money secure — whether you're shopping in person, online, or at an ATM.

Card & PIN Safety Tips:

• Never let your card out of sight when paying

• Double-check the amount before making contactless payments

• Cover your PIN when entering it - stay aware of who’s around

• Choose a strong PIN (avoid birthdays, patterns like 1234 or 1111)

• Never share your card details, PIN, or full password by phone or email

• Shop smart online - only enter card info on secure websites (look for the 🔒 lock icon next to the web address)

A few simple habits can go a long way in keeping your money safe.

Public Wi-Fi might be convenient, but it’s not always safe. You don’t know who set it up - or who else is connected. Hackers can intercept your activity, steal passwords, and read private information.

Safety Tips:

• Avoid online banking, shopping, or entering personal info on public Wi-Fi

• Use mobile data (3G/4G/5G) instead for sensitive tasks

• Don’t install updates while connected to public Wi-Fi

• Report anything suspicious to the Wi-Fi provider or venue staff

Better safe than sorry, save sensitive browsing for secure, private networks.

Clicking a fake link - whether in an email, text, social media post, or pop-up ad - can install malware that puts your personal and financial information at risk. Keeping your devices secure helps protect you from fraud.

Device Security Tips:

• Use up-to-date antivirus software

• Install system updates as soon as they’re available

• Only download apps from trusted sources like the App Store or Google Play

• Enable remote wipe in case your device is lost or stolen

• Use strong passwords or biometrics (like fingerprint or face ID)

• Erase all data before selling or disposing of a device

• Avoid online banking on devices that may be infected — get them checked by a trusted IT professional first

A weak password can be cracked in minutes — but a strong one adds real protection. Knowing how to create and manage secure passwords is one of the easiest ways to keep your online accounts safe.

Password Safety Tips:

Create Strong Passwords

• Use at least 10–12 characters

• Combine random words or a memorable phrase

• Avoid obvious choices like “password,” birthdays, or pet names

• Mix in upper/lowercase letters, numbers, and symbols as needed

Keep Them Secure

• Don’t reuse the same password across accounts

• Never share your login details

• Avoid letting browsers save your passwords

• Use fingerprint or face ID and a strong PIN for mobile devices

• Turn on two-factor authentication (2FA) whenever possible

• Consider a password manager to safely store and manage complex passwords

Small habits like these make a big difference in protecting your personal and financial information.

Fraudsters are skilled at creating fake websites that look legitimate, tricking shoppers into sharing payment details. Follow these tips to protect yourself while shopping online.

Safety Tips:

• Go directly to websites by typing the URL into your browser or using a trusted search engine (e.g. Google, Bing). Avoid clicking on links in emails or pop-ups.

• Look for security signs when entering personal details:

• The URL should start with ‘https’ (not just ‘http’)

• A closed padlock icon should appear next to the URL

• Your browser address window may turn green

• Shop only on trusted sites — do your research and read independent reviews, not just testimonials on the website.

• Avoid making payments on shared or public computers.

• Log out completely when finished shopping.

Stay vigilant and shop smart to keep your personal information safe.

Identity theft occurs when a fraudster steals your personal information to impersonate you, often to access your bank accounts, open credit cards, or commit fraud.

Safety Tips:

• Be cautious online – Limit the personal information you share, especially on social media

• Never share your full online login details with anyone

• Report lost or stolen cards immediately

• Store valuable documents securely

• Clear your device of all information before selling or disposing of it

• Shred confidential documents, like bank statements, before discarding them

Fraudsters are exploiting low interest rates by offering fake high returns, particularly in cryptocurrency investments. They may create convincing websites to lure you in. If it sounds too good to be true, it probably is.

What to Look Out For:

• Pressure tactics to act quickly without thinking

• Urgent payment requests

• Links to fake websites via text messages

• False promises of capital protection or high returns with no risk

Safety Tips:

• Always seek independent financial advice before investing

• Only deal with regulated entities listed on the Central Bank of Ireland website

• Never share your login details or passwords

• Be cautious of unsolicited emails and celebrity endorsements

• Avoid pop-up ads and be extra wary of cryptocurrency ads

Fraudsters may call pretending to be from a reputable tech support company, asking to remotely access your computer. They might try to trick you into providing personal or banking details. Remember, Sligo Credit Union will never ask for your full login details or request remote access to your devices.

Warning Signs:

• Unexpected calls asking for remote access to your computer

• Requests to download apps for remote access

• Claims of suspicious transactions or urgent actions on your account

• Spoofed Caller ID to appear legitimate

• Asking for bank details or to transfer funds to a “safe” account

Safety Tips:

• Never give remote access to someone who calls unexpectedly

• Don’t share personal or banking details with unsolicited callers

• Avoid logging into online banking while a third party is connected

• Always log off from online banking sessions

• Never transfer money based on a cold call instruction

Young people, especially those aged 18-24, are often targeted by criminals looking for money mules. Money muling may seem like an easy way to make extra cash, but it’s actually money laundering, a serious criminal offense.

How It Works:

Criminals recruit money mules through social media, offering "easy money" in exchange for:

• Opening a new account or using your own current account to transfer money

• Lodging or transferring funds on behalf of the criminal

Important for Parents and Young Adults:

• Understand that money muling is illegal and can lead to serious consequences.

• Criminals deliberately target young people, so it's essential to be cautious and aware of these tactics.

Rental scams are on the rise. While these scams happen year-round, they often spike during back-to-school season. Here's how students and parents can avoid falling victim:

Top Tips:

• Know average rent prices in your area. If the price is too good to be true, it probably is.

• Test the key to make sure it fits the lock. If something feels off, report it to your local Garda.

• Keep records of all communication with the landlord, including ads and bank details.

• Use trusted rental agencies — even if they’re a bit pricier, they’re safer. Never pay until you’ve seen the property.

• Google the property address using online maps to confirm it exists at the listed location.

• Google Google Google - Use online maps to double-check that the property being advertised actually exists and is at the stated address.