Updated: July 24, 2026

Someone claims to be with law enforcement and asks you to move money? It’s a scam.

Fraudsters are impersonating law enforcement officers and financial institution employees to frighten consumers into transferring money or providing access to their accounts. These criminals may sound convincing, provide official-looking case numbers, know personal information, or claim they are investigating fraud involving your financial institution.

The FBI will never threaten you with arrest, ask you to use your own money to help catch a criminal, or instruct you to send money by wire transfer or other payment method.

Most Importantly… Do NOT provide any personal information, such as your SSN, mother’s maiden name, Online Banking credentials, etc. OR transfer money to anyone who may contact you purporting to be from the government, law enforcement, or your financial institution.

How a scam may start

In one example, you receive an unexpected call from someone claiming to represent a financial institution, the FBI, or another government agency. The caller may say that your accounts have been compromised, your identity is connected to criminal activity, or employees at your financial institution are under investigation.

To make the situation seem legitimate, the fraudster may provide a badge number, case number, or other official-sounding details. They may then tell you that you must cooperate with their investigation or face arrest, prosecution, or the loss of your money.

The caller may instruct you to:

• Keep the investigation secret and not speak with family, friends, or your financial institution.
• Stay on the phone while visiting a branch or completing a transaction.
• Hide your phone or keep the caller on speaker so they can listen to your conversations.
• Give a false reason for withdrawing cash or sending a wire transfer.
• Download an app that allows them to remotely access your phone, computer, or financial accounts.
• Transfer money by wire, withdraw cash, or deposit funds through a kiosk to keep your money “safe.”

Fraudsters may even prepare you for questions financial institution employees will ask and coach you on how to respond. Anyone who tells you to lie about the reason for a withdrawal or transfer is trying to prevent someone from protecting you.

The scammer may also provide a fake call back number. Do NOT call the number they give you. UHFCU’s phone number is (808) 983-5500.

How to Avoid Government Impersonation Scams

• Hang up and verify the call independently. Do not call a number provided by the caller. Contact the agency or financial institution using an official website, statement, or the number on the back of your card.
• Do not let threats or urgency pressure you. Legitimate law enforcement agencies will not threaten to arrest you unless you immediately transfer money.
• Never move money to “protect” it. There is no government safety account or secure account that requires you to transfer your funds. Anyone who asks you to do this is a scammer.
• Never download an unfamiliar app at a caller’s request. Remote-access applications can allow a fraudster to view your screen, access financial information, or control your device.
• Do not hide information from UHFCU. Our employees may ask questions about an unusual withdrawal or wire transfer to help protect you and your account. UHFCU will never ask you to lie to another employee, conceal your phone, or secretly move money as part of an investigation.
• Talk to someone you trust. Scammers demand secrecy because a family member, friend, or financial institution employee may recognize the fraud and interrupt it.

What to Do if You Think You’ve Been Targeted

Stop communicating with the caller immediately and do not send additional money. Contact UHFCU as soon as possible at (808) 983-5500. If you downloaded an application or allowed someone to access your device, disconnect the device from the internet and change your account passwords using a different trusted device.

You should also contact local law enforcement and file a report with the FBI’s Internet Crime Complaint Center. Keep copies of phone numbers, messages, emails, receipts, wire instructions, and other transaction records that may assist with an investigation.

Remember: No legitimate financial institution or law enforcement agency will ask you to lie, keep a financial transaction secret, or move your money to help with an investigation. Stop, hang up, and contact UHFCU directly.

Contact us with any questions or concerns

If you have any questions about this information, we encourage you to speak with a UHFCU representative to learn more. If you suspect that you may have given information to a possible scammer, it is important to contact us so we can take measures to help you protect your information and account.