At Maine Savings, your financial well-being is our top priority. As part of our commitment to going Beyond Banking, we want to make sure you have the information you need to stay safe, especially as fraud attempts continue to evolve.

Recently, there has been an increase in fraudulent text messages targeting credit union members. These messages may appear to come from Maine Savings, but they are not legitimate. Understanding how these scams work and how to spot them can help you protect yourself and your accounts.

What’s Happening?

Fraudsters are sending text messages that look like debit card fraud alerts. These texts may ask you to confirm whether a transaction is legitimate. If you respond, you may receive a follow-up phone call from someone pretending to be a Maine Savings employee.

During that call, the scammer may ask for sensitive information such as:

With this information, fraudsters can add your card to a digital wallet, attempt unauthorized withdrawals, and potentially wreak all sorts of havoc.

How to Tell What’s Real

While these messages may look convincing, there are important differences to watch for:

If something feels off, trust your instincts. It is always okay to pause and verify, and call Maine Savings on a number you know to be accurate.

How to Protect Yourself

Staying safe starts with a few simple steps:

If You’ve Been Contacted

If you receive a suspicious message or believe you may have shared information:

We’re Here for You

Fraud attempts can be unsettling, but you are not alone. Our team is continuously monitoring trends and taking proactive steps to protect our members.

At Maine Savings, we go Beyond Banking by providing the tools, education, and support you need to navigate your financial journey with confidence.

If you ever have questions or concerns, please reach out. We are here to help, every step of the way.

If you’ve ever searched online for something like “change of address USPS” or “renew passport,” you’re not alone. These are common, everyday tasks—and they should be simple to complete.

But many people are surprised to find that the first results they see aren’t always the official websites. Instead, they’re often ads for third-party services that charge fees for things you can usually do yourself, quickly and at little to no cost.

At Maine Savings, we regularly hear from members who have paid for these services, thinking they were on an official site. Let’s take a closer look at how this happens—and how you can avoid it.

Why This Happens

Search engines like Google and Bing often display paid advertisements at the top of search results. These ads are clearly labeled as “Sponsored,” but they can still look very similar to the results you’re actually trying to find.

While these third-party websites may offer legitimate services, they often:

Common Situations to Watch For

Changing Your Address with USPS

When updating your address, always go directly to the official United States Postal Service website.

Unlike most government agencies, USPS uses usps.com as its official website—not a “.gov” address. Because of this, it’s especially important to double-check that you’re on the correct site.

Look for:

Third-party sites may look similar but often charge higher fees for services you can complete directly through USPS for a minimal cost.

Renewing a Passport

Passport services should always be completed through the U.S. Department of State.

Official passport information and forms are available on websites ending in “.gov,” such as travel.state.gov. Third-party services may charge additional processing or “expediting” fees that aren’t required for standard applications.

How to Protect Yourself

A few simple habits can help you avoid unnecessary fees and confusion:

What to Do If You’ve Already Paid

If you believe you’ve used a third-party service unintentionally:

At Maine Savings, we’re here to help you navigate situations like these and support your financial well-being.

A Better Way Forward

The internet makes everyday tasks more convenient—but it also requires a bit of extra awareness. Taking a moment to confirm you’re on the right website can help you avoid unnecessary costs and frustration.

If you ever have questions about a charge or something doesn’t seem right, we’re here to help.

Beyond Banking means looking out for more than just your accounts—it means helping you make informed decisions every step of the way.

Fraudsters are constantly changing how they try to reach people, and one of the most common tactics we’re seeing right now is call spoofing. At Maine Savings, protecting your financial well-being is a top priority, and staying informed is one of the best ways to stay safe.

What is call spoofing?

Call spoofing happens when scammers manipulate caller ID information so it looks like a call is coming from a trusted organization, such as Maine Savings or another familiar, legitimate-seeming business or agency. The phone number may appear real or recognizable, but the call itself is not.

Recently, we’ve seen an increase in calls where scammers claim to be from a “Fraud Unit” or “Fraud Team,” sometimes even using Maine Savings’ name or phone number. These calls may sound urgent and convincing, but they are not legitimate.

What scammers may ask for

Scammers often try to create pressure so you’ll act quickly. They may say there is suspicious activity on your account and then ask for sensitive information, including:

• Digital banking usernames or passwords
• One-time security or verification codes sent to your phone or email
• Debit or credit card numbers
• Personal identifying information

Maine Savings will never ask for your digital banking credentials or verification codes over the phone. If someone gains access to this information, they essentially have the keys to your accounts and connected services.

What to do if you receive a suspicious call

If you receive a call that is unexpected, unusual, or feels off:

• Do not provide any information
• Hang up the call
• Contact Maine Savings directly using the phone number listed on our website

Calling back using a trusted, verified number is one of the safest ways to confirm whether a call is legitimate.

A reminder during tax season

During tax season, scammers often pose as well-known tax preparation services, payment processors, or other trusted businesses, claiming there is an issue that needs immediate attention. These callers may request personal or financial information, but legitimate organizations will not reach out unexpectedly to ask for sensitive details.

Any call that pressures you to act quickly or share information should be treated with caution.

Why spoofing is difficult to stop

Call spoofing is a widespread issue across the financial industry, and unfortunately it’s something no individual credit union or bank can fully control. That’s why awareness is so important. Knowing what these scams look and sound like can help you avoid becoming a target.

We’re here to help

If you ever have questions about a call, message, or alert you receive, we encourage you to reach out. Our team is always happy to help you confirm whether a communication is truly from Maine Savings.

At Maine Savings, we go beyond banking by empowering our members with knowledge, guidance, and support. Staying alert and informed is one more way we can work together to protect your financial well-being.