Be Alert For Scams During the Holidays
Fraud attempts rise during the holidays. We’ve created a convenient new way to report suspicious activity: send an email to [email protected].*
With numerous transactions, fast-paced spending, and common charitable scams, it’s important to be hyper-vigilant for fraudulent activity
If you believe you have been a victim of fraud, please call 513-333-3800.
Common Holiday Scams Include:
- Receiving a call from a spoofed number asking for banking information
- Emails requesting money, gift cards, or personal information
- Suspicious letters or checks received in the mail
- Pay for goods or services online, but they are never received
- Purchased goods or services are shipped, but payment is never received
Cinfed's Fraud Prevention Fundamentals
- Cinfed will never contact you to ask for personal information such as an account number, PIN, or social security number, so do not share it unless YOU initiate the communication.
- Do not click on links in unexpected messages (texts, emails, and social media messages) that ask for personal information or account confirmation, especially if they try to create a false sense of urgency.
- Beware of social media “friends” whom you have never met and have no other connection to you – yet ask for money or personal information. Do not be lured by “easy money” schemes that involve sending or receiving money or packages. If it seems too good to be true, it is!
- Set up alerts for your accounts so you will be notified of any transactions. By knowing immediately about potentially fraudulent charges, you can take preventive steps if necessary. Also, during your next in-branch visit, add a Security Keyword to your account for another layer of protection. Your keyword could be a combination of numbers and/or words that only you would know.
- Use Cinfed’s resources to check on the status of your account: the Cinfed Mobile App or online with Cinfed Digital Banking. If you have any questions about a message you received from Cinfed, call our Contact Center (513-333-3800) or your nearest branch location. If you question it, always check with us first.
Keep Your Cinfed Account Safe
Members can establish a more secure login to their account through Google Authenticator** or your preferred authenticator app.
Cinfed recommends adding two-factor authentication to keep your money — and your identity — protected.
For questions about access to your account, contact Cinfed’s eServices department at 513-333-6349 or [email protected].
VIEW OUR 2-FACTOR AUTHENTICATION GUIDE
How To Prevent Fraud & Identity Theft
Scammers are continuing to find new ways to obtain your personal information. Review the following articles to help better recognize scam attempts.
Holiday Fraud Is Costing Americans Millions.
FBI warns of these holiday shopping scams costing Americans millions
According to the FBI’s Internet Crime Complaint Center’s report in 2024, non-payment and non-delivery scams cost Americans close to $800 million last year. Credit card fraud also accounted for over $199 million in losses last year.
Sneaky Holiday Scams Are Here To Stay.
Sneaky holiday scams are back in 2025: Do you know the red flags?
If you receive a text message, phone call, or social media message that doesn’t seem right, it probably isn’t. Send money to people you know and trust. Verify the channel from which you receive a message and take your time before completing the purchase; there is no rush.
Shipping And Delivery Scams Surge This Time Of Year.
The Top Holiday Scams of 2025 | Take Care
Text messages start flooding in with fake order confirmations, “shipping updates,” and “delivery issues” this holiday season. The best practice to follow when encountering these messages is to never click the links provided or scan the QR codes; go directly to the official retailer or carrier sites or apps.
*If you believe you have been a victim of fraud, please call us immediately at (513) 333-3800. Fraud resolution requests cannot be handled via this email.
**Google Authenticator is a trademark of Google LLC