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Cybercrime isn’t just about breaking into your devices. More often, it’s about breaking through your guard.

At NW Plus, we take your financial safety seriously - and that means helping you recognize how criminals really operate today. Increasingly, the biggest threat to your bank account isn’t a technical hack. It’s a scam designed to play on your emotions.

Welcome to the world of social engineering, where cybercriminals manipulate your trust, fear, urgency, even your kindness, to get what they want: your financial information. They may ask for something as simple as a birth date or where you were born. This could be enough to give scammers what they need to access your account.

Here’s how these scams work, and what you can do to stay a step ahead.

1. Fear

“Your Account Has Been Locked!”

Fear-based scams are designed to jolt you into action. You might get a text or email claiming there’s suspicious activity in your account and urging you to “click here” to resolve it.

These messages often look very real—but they’re fake. Clicking the link usually takes you to a lookalike site where scammers collect your login information.

What You Can Do:

• Don’t click on links in unsolicited messages.
• Always go directly to your banking app or website.
• At NW Plus, we’ll never pressure you to verify personal details this way. If you're unsure, call us directly.

2. Urgency

“Act Now or Lose Access!”

When scammers create a false sense of urgency, it’s to get you to act before you think. Whether it’s about missed deliveries, overdue bills, or expired subscriptions - they’re counting on panic to cloud your judgment.

What You Can Do:

• Take a moment. Breathe. Rushing is what the scammer wants.
• If it’s really that urgent, you’ll find a notice when you log in to your official account—not through a sketchy message.
• Not sure? Reach out to NW Plus. We're here to help you verify.

3. Trust

“This Is Your Boss (or Bank, or Friend)”

Ever received a strange message from someone you know asking for money or sensitive info? Scammers are skilled at impersonating people or organizations you trust - even NW Plus!

This is called spoofing, and it's a growing threat.

What You Can Do:

• If it feels odd, it probably is. Call or message the person directly to confirm.
• Don’t rely on email alone, especially for financial requests.
• Remember: NW Plus will never ask for your password or full account info by text or email.

4. Curiosity

“Check Out This Shocking Story!”

Clickbait isn’t just annoying - it can be dangerous. Scammers often bait victims with messages that trigger curiosity, like “Look who viewed your profile!” or “You won’t believe this video…”

Clicking may lead to malware or phishing sites designed to steal your info.

What You Can Do:

• Think before you click.
• Hover over links to see where they really go.
• Keep your devices protected with up-to-date security software.

5. Compassion

“I Need Your Help”

Scammers don’t just target your fear—they target your heart. Romance scams, “grandparent” scams, and fake emergency requests rely on your desire to help.

They may claim to be a loved one in trouble, or someone you’ve built a relationship with online.

What You Can Do:

• Be cautious with online relationships that move fast or ask for money.
• Never send funds to someone you haven’t met in person or verified independently.
• If something doesn’t sit right, talk to someone you trust - or reach out to NW Plus for guidance.

How NW Plus Helps You Stay Safe

We believe financial wellness includes financial security. That’s why NW Plus offers resources, education, and support to help our members make smart, safe decisions online.

Whether you're already part of the NW Plus family or considering joining, here’s what we want you to know:

• We protect your data with advanced security tools.
• We empower you with real-world advice, not tech jargon.
• We’re real people, ready to help—just a phone call away.

5 Quick Tips to Outsmart a Scam:

1. Pause before responding to urgent, emotional, or unexpected messages.
2. Don’t click suspicious links - go directly to the source.
3. Enable two-factor authentication where possible (and never share the codes).
4. Use strong, unique passwords (and consider a password manager).
5. Stay informed. The more you know, the harder you are to fool.

Let’s Stay Safe - Together

At NW Plus, we’re more than just a credit union. We’re your partner in protecting what matters—your finances, your information, and your peace of mind.

Never share your account number, passwords, answers to security questions, or other account information. We will never ask you for this type of information when we call or email you. If someone claiming to be a NW Plus CU representative asks for sensitive account information over the phone or in an email, end the conversation immediately, and call us at 425.297.1000 or come to one of our branches to report the incident.