
Someone Wants to Send You Money? It's Likely a Scam.
So, someone wants to send you money? Maybe someone reached out to you via phone, text or email claiming that you won a prize, they’re going to wire you money or you are the beneficiary for your family members. Everyone wants “free” money, but often these messages or notifications are scams. Learn more about what you can do to protect yourself from these types of scams.

LESSON CONTENTS
Different Types of Money Scams
There are several reasons why you may receive a message saying someone wants to send you money. The scammer will usually ask you to enter your bank account information. This will give them access to your account and the ability to steal your money.
Watch out for the following types of money scams:
Wife Transfer Fraud: In this case, the scammer will say they plan to wire you money, usually from another country. To transfer the money, they will need access to bank account information. This is designed to trick you into handing your information over. Once you do, the scammers can take your money.
Money Mule Scams: These scams are usually done as a way of laundering money (the processes of making money obtained through illegal means appear to have come from a legal or legitimate source). Scammers say they are going to send you money so that you can send it to someone else. In other cases, they may offer to send you money as part of a job, winning the lottery or some other giveaway. You should never have to pay processing fees or some other debt to collect a prize or take a job. These scams can move funds in various ways and may include gift cards, credit cards and other prepaid items. The person may even send you a fake check, but once you deposit it, the money may disappear from your account. Never take money from someone you don’t recognize.
Mail Scams: Some scammers will send mail telling you that you’ve won a prize, owe money or need to wire someone money. Others may try to get you to sign up for a credit card or lottery system. It’s best to throw the mail in the trash and not contact or respond to the scammer.
Elderly Scam: Unfortunately, far too many people will try to take advantage of the elderly and their loved ones. The scammer may call or message you, claiming that a loved one has passed away and that you are set to inherit their money. In other cases, they may claim that a loved one owes back taxes or some other debt. Others may pretend to work with a nursing agency, Medicaid or the Social Security Administration.
Again, do not share your personal information or those of your loved ones. Hang up or flag the message as spam and contact the office, business or agency directly for more information.
What to Do If Someone Wants to Send You Money
The good news is that you may not be in trouble as long as you don’t respond to the message. Some messages may contain spam or malware, so you’re better off not opening messages or emails from unknown senders, especially if the message uses the following phrasing:
- URGENT!
- Congratulations!!
- You’re a winner.
If you do receive a message from someone saying they want to send you money, the first step is to report the message or phone call to the authorities. You can also visit the Federal Trade Commission to see if someone else has received a similar message. Your phone or email service may also have a spam feature. Flag these messages as spam, so the app knows to automatically delete them in the future.
If you see a suspicious purchase or deposit in your financial accounts, report it immediately. Do not spend the money or transfer it to another account.
If the person continues to call or text you, block the number and/or report it to the National Do Not Call Registry.
It’s always best to err on the side of caution when receiving these kinds of messages. It may be tempting to respond in hopes of winning the lottery or getting a check, but it usually means exposing your personal information.
Related Resources
View All
What is a social engineering attack?
A social engineering attack is a certain type of malicious attack that relies on human error. Hence the word “social.” Human beings are designed to make mistakes, especially when using the internet or corresponding online, and cyber criminals will try and take advantage of the situation. Learn how to protect yourself and others from a social engineering attack.

How Can I Protect My Elderly Parent's Money?
If you have an aging parent or loved one, it’s important to help them protect their savings and assets from fraud and mismanagement. Elderly individuals with dementia or Alzheimer’s disease may have trouble managing their money. Others may have trouble hearing, seeing or using technology, which can make them vulnerable to online hackers and scam artists. If you are worried about your parent’s ability to manage their finances, take these steps:

Five Holiday Scams to Avoid
The holiday season is one of the busiest times of year, especially as people shop, gather, exchange gifts and travel. Scammers and criminals see it as an opportunity to steal your personal information or try to trick you into sending money. Read this article to learn more about common holiday scams and how to avoid them.

What are the Benefits of Contactless Cards?
Contactless credit and debit cards are becoming more widely accepted at point-of-sales systems across the country as retailers adopt this form of payment processing. Read this article to learn more about contactless cards, how they work and how they help safeguard your transactions from fraud.

Don't Be Fooled: Know What Information Ent Will Never Ask You For
Here at Ent Credit Union, we go to great lengths to protect our members. A new scam has started affecting some of our members, and we want to help you stay safe. Learn how to protect your financial and personal information online, so you don’t have to worry about a stranger taking your money. Instead of robbing banks with black hoods over their faces, today’s thieves spend their time scamming everyday consumers and businesses out of their hard-earned money. Suspicious calls, texts, and emails can catch some people off guard, giving fraudsters a chance to drain their bank account.

What to Do if You Think Your Elderly Parent Is Being Scammed
Millions of seniors are scammed out of their money every year in the United States. Elderly individuals tend to be more susceptible to financial scams. They also tend to have more assets, including owning a home, financial savings and good credit after a lifetime of work. Older Americans suffering from medical conditions such as Alzheimer’s or dementia may also get confused when managing their money. Others may have trouble using the latest technology, including mobile banking apps, email or the internet. Use this guide to protect your aging relatives from scams targeting seniors.

Top 10 Financial Scams Targeting Retired Adults
Senior citizens and retired adults are often prime targets for digital hackers and con artists looking to defraud those that they consider vulnerable. These criminals often try to take advantage of these individuals costing them their life savings, which can lead to debt and other financial hardships. If you know someone who is retired, learn about the leading scams targeting them and how they can be identified.

Common Scams that Prey on College Students
College students may be vulnerable to online scams and predatory behavior. Many students may be living on their own and managing their money for the first time. They may not be familiar with the warning signs of fraud, which can lead to all kinds of unfortunate outcomes, including identity theft and scam purchases. If you or someone you know is getting ready to go to college, use this guide to help protect yourself from common scams that target college students.

Help I've Been Scammed! What Should I Do Now?
So, you believe you’re the victim of a scam—what do you do now? Online scams are becoming increasingly common as online scammers and hackers look for new ways to trick consumers into handing over their personal information. If you’ve been scammed, you might have noticed an unauthorized transaction posted to your bank account or your funds may be lower than expected. There’s also a chance that you sent your personal information to the wrong person by mistake, including your debit and credit card numbers, bank account information, Social Security number, phone number or email address. If you notice a problem with your account, there are several ways to rectify the situation. Follow these steps to secure your money before the scammer has a chance to make another withdrawal.

Mobile Banking Safety Tips
More people are using mobile banking apps and websites than ever before. Many people prefer to manage their money online using a mobile device rather than visiting a local service center in person. You don’t have to deal with traffic or wait in line to use the ATM. Banking apps are as safe as the financial institutions they represent, but you need to be careful when sending and sharing your information online. Use these safety tips to enjoy the benefits of Ent mobile banking without putting your finances at risk.

How Secure is My Password?
It’s generally recommended that you change your password once every three months or so, but it can be easy to forget or push it off. You may be wondering if it’s really such a big deal? Yes, it is because cybercrime is on the rise. In a 2018 survey of adults, almost 33% said they personally had experienced a hack of their social media and email accounts. This may be because up to 50% of them use the same password for multiple accounts. Read this article to help you secure your passwords and online accounts before you get hacked.

EMV Chip-Enabled Debit Cards: How EMV Technology Keeps You Safe
Today, most debit and credit cards have multiple ways to transmit data and authenticate a payment. One such way is the small, square computer chips you see on the card. This is called an EMV chip and is used to help protect the user from fraud. Read this article to learn more about how EMV chips work and how they help keep your information safe.