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Security & Scams

Money Mule Scams

Girl looking at her phone with her dog

You meet someone online or on social media. The scammer might offer you a job or say you’ve won a sweepstakes. Or, perhaps you met someone online and you have started a romantic relationship. Whatever the story, next they want to send you money. They may ask for your bank account information to deposit the funds through Automated Clearing House (ACH) or mobile check deposit, or they may mail you a physical check.

Once the money is in your account, the scammer will ask you to send the funds to an individual you do not know. They may ask you to send cash, purchase gift cards, wire money, or purchase cryptocurrency. They tell you to keep an amount for yourself as a commission.

What you need to know

These checks are fraudulent or stolen. There was never a job, a prize, or a relationship — only a scam.

That scammer was trying to get you to be what some people call a “money mule.” A money mule is someone who wittingly or unwittingly transfers illegally acquired money on behalf of or at the direction of another person.

Often the check will later return, and you will likely owe the financial institution for the returned check. You can also get into legal trouble for helping a scammer move stolen money — even if you didn’t know it was stolen.

Remember:

  • Never share or write down your Member Access information.
  • Never share or write down your personal or account information.
  • Never send money at the direction of someone you don’t know.
  • Share this information with a friend. You may not have seen this type of scam, but chances are you know someone who has.