Money Smarts Blog

Your phone rings. The caller ID shows IHMVCU. You pick up. Someone on the line asks for your account number and a “quick” verification code. Sounds legit, right? Spoiler alert: not always.

Welcome to the wild world of caller ID spoofing, where scammers make a fake number look like it’s calling from someone you trust. It can show a local number, a government agency, or even your own credit union’s name. The tech is cheap, the tricks are convincing, and the goal is simple: get you to hand over information or push money out the door.

Good news: you can outsmart them. Here’s how, in plain English and with a little sass.

What caller ID spoofing looks like:

• The number looks familiar, maybe even your branch’s phone number.
• The caller uses urgent language: “This is your bank. We need to verify your information now.”
• They ask you to confirm a code, password, or multi-factor authentication code (MFA)
• They pressure you to transfer money or move funds immediately.

Why it works

Scammers rely on trust and panic. If your screen says “IHMVCU” and someone sounds confident, it’s easy to react without thinking. That’s exactly what they count on.

No-nonsense survival guide

1. Never give codes, user names, passwords, or account numbers to an unsolicited caller: A real financial institution will never call and ask for your full password or multi-factor authentication code or card number. We'll also never ask for your digital banking user name or password. If someone asks for it, hang up and call us immediately!

2. Hang up and call back using a number you know is real: Don’t use the number on your caller ID. Use the number on your statement, the number on our website (309-793-6200), or the one printed on the back of your card. Confirm with us directly before you do anything.

3. Do not press buttons to “confirm” your account: If the caller tells you to press 1 to confirm, don’t press anything. Sometimes pressing buttons routes you to a live scammer or records your voice for social engineering.

4. Be suspicious of “urgent” language: Threats like “We’ll freeze your account unless you act now” are classic pressure tactics. Pause. Take a breath. Check with us.

5. Use account alerts and multi-factor authentication: Alerts for logins, transfers, or wire activity act like a perimeter alarm for your money. MFA adds an extra hurdle for fraudsters even if they get some login info.

6. Save and verify official numbers: Put IHMVCU’s phone number (309-793-6200) in your contacts so you can verify who is calling. If a call claims to be us but the number is different, treat it as a red flag.

7. Block and report suspicious callers: Most smartphones let you block numbers and report spam. That can help limit repeat calls and build defenses.

8. Document everything if you suspect fraud: Time, number shown on caller ID, what the caller asked for… jot it down. It helps us investigate and speeds up any account response.

If you think you have been targeted:

• Contact IHMVCU immediately through secure chat or by calling 309-793-6200. We can flag your account and help secure it.
• Freeze cards or change passwords if you shared any sensitive information.
• File a report with the FTC at identitytheft.gov and consider notifying local law enforcement.
• Keep any voicemails or screenshots, they can be evidence.

Things to remember

Remember, your caller ID is not a reliable ID. It is a label that can be faked in seconds. Treat it as a suggestion, not proof.

Scammers love holiday rushes, tax season, and any time folks are distracted. But they don’t love patience, common sense, and a quick verification phone call. If someone calls asking for codes or money, take two seconds and call us back at 309-793-6200. You’ll save yourself a lot of headache and probably spare me an evening of paperwork.

If you ever want our fraud team to take a look at a suspicious call or want tips for training your team, reach out. We’re always happy to help keep our members safe and to catch scammers at their own game.

Stay sharp, stay skeptical, and do not let a fake number steal your day.

Your phone rings. The caller ID shows IHMVCU. You pick up. Someone on the line asks for your account number and a “quick” verification code. Sounds legit, right? Spoiler alert: not always.

Welcome to the wild world of caller ID spoofing, where scammers make a fake number look like it’s calling from someone you trust. It can show a local number, a government agency, or even your own credit union’s name. The tech is cheap, the tricks are convincing, and the goal is simple: get you to hand over information or push money out the door.

Good news: you can outsmart them. Here’s how, in plain English and with a little sass.

What caller ID spoofing looks like:

• The number looks familiar, maybe even your branch’s phone number.
• The caller uses urgent language: “This is your bank. We need to verify your information now.”
• They ask you to confirm a code, password, or multi-factor authentication code (MFA)
• They pressure you to transfer money or move funds immediately.

Why it works

Scammers rely on trust and panic. If your screen says “IHMVCU” and someone sounds confident, it’s easy to react without thinking. That’s exactly what they count on.

No-nonsense survival guide

1. Never give codes, user names, passwords, or account numbers to an unsolicited caller: A real financial institution will never call and ask for your full password or multi-factor authentication code or card number. We'll also never ask for your digital banking user name or password. If someone asks for it, hang up and call us immediately!

2. Hang up and call back using a number you know is real: Don’t use the number on your caller ID. Use the number on your statement, the number on our website (309-793-6200), or the one printed on the back of your card. Confirm with us directly before you do anything.

3. Do not press buttons to “confirm” your account: If the caller tells you to press 1 to confirm, don’t press anything. Sometimes pressing buttons routes you to a live scammer or records your voice for social engineering.

4. Be suspicious of “urgent” language: Threats like “We’ll freeze your account unless you act now” are classic pressure tactics. Pause. Take a breath. Check with us.

5. Use account alerts and multi-factor authentication: Alerts for logins, transfers, or wire activity act like a perimeter alarm for your money. MFA adds an extra hurdle for fraudsters even if they get some login info.

6. Save and verify official numbers: Put IHMVCU’s phone number (309-793-6200) in your contacts so you can verify who is calling. If a call claims to be us but the number is different, treat it as a red flag.

7. Block and report suspicious callers: Most smartphones let you block numbers and report spam. That can help limit repeat calls and build defenses.

8. Document everything if you suspect fraud: Time, number shown on caller ID, what the caller asked for… jot it down. It helps us investigate and speeds up any account response.

If you think you have been targeted:

• Contact IHMVCU immediately through secure chat or by calling 309-793-6200. We can flag your account and help secure it.
• Freeze cards or change passwords if you shared any sensitive information.
• File a report with the FTC at identitytheft.gov and consider notifying local law enforcement.
• Keep any voicemails or screenshots, they can be evidence.

Things to remember

Remember, your caller ID is not a reliable ID. It is a label that can be faked in seconds. Treat it as a suggestion, not proof.

Scammers love holiday rushes, tax season, and any time folks are distracted. But they don’t love patience, common sense, and a quick verification phone call. If someone calls asking for codes or money, take two seconds and call us back at 309-793-6200. You’ll save yourself a lot of headache and probably spare me an evening of paperwork.

If you ever want our fraud team to take a look at a suspicious call or want tips for training your team, reach out. We’re always happy to help keep our members safe and to catch scammers at their own game.

Stay sharp, stay skeptical, and do not let a fake number steal your day.