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Spooky Scams: Don't Get Tricked This Halloween Season

October 30th, 2025

Ghosts and goblins aren’t the only threats this Halloween—cybercriminals are, too. At TopLine, we protect your money and your peace of mind. Stay vigilant against fraudsters.

The Phantom Phisher

The Trick: You receive an email that appears to be from your credit union, a retailer, or the IRS. It warns of “urgent account activity” and urges you to click a link or download an attachment. 

Example Email:


The Treat: Legitimate organizations won’t request personal info by email.

  • Enter TopLine’s website address yourself instead of clicking links.
  • Inspect sender addresses—slight changes are red flags.

 

The Vishing Vampire

The Trick: You get a call from “Your Credit Union.” A calm but urgent voice says:

“We’ve noticed suspicious charges on your debit card. Please confirm your full card number and PIN so we can stop the fraud.”

The Treat:

  • TopLine will never call and ask for your full card number, PIN, or one-time passcode.
  • Hang up and call us using the number from your card or our website.
  • Scammers use “spoofing” to fake legitimacy—don’t trust caller ID.

 

The Texting Trickster

The Trick: You get a text that says:

Your account has been temporarily locked due to unusual activity. Click below to restore access.
https://secure-yourcu-login.net

The Treat:

  • Don’t click links in unsolicited texts—even urgent ones.
  • Worried? Log into TopLine’s Online or Mobile Banking via our app or website.
  • Delete suspicious texts.

 

The Fake Profile Phantom

The Trick: You connect online with someone who seems perfect—friendly, charming, trustworthy. After some time, they say:

“My bank account’s been frozen, and I just need $500 to get home. I promise I’ll pay you back.”

Or they message you on social media:

“You’ve won a $1,000 gift card from [Business Name]! Click here to claim your prize!”

The Treat:

  • Never send money, gift cards, or crypto to anyone you haven’t met in person.
  • Be careful what personal info you share online—scammers build trust this way.
  • Real TopLine giveaways are only announced on our website or verified social media.

 

The Subscription Specter

The Trick: You get an email or voicemail saying:

“Your Norton Security renewal has been charged $399.99. Call 1-800-555-0132 to dispute this charge.”

After you call, they offer a refund—but ask for remote access or online banking details.

The Treat:

  • Don’t call or click on contact info provided in these messages.
  • Check your account; if no charge exists, it’s a scam.
  • When in doubt, contact TopLine and we’ll help to verify.

 

At TopLine, we protect your financial health—no garlic or silver stakes required. We monitor, educate, and support you if fraud is suspected. For questions about any message, ad, or phone call, contact us at 763-391-9494. 

As you enjoy Halloween, remember:

The scariest thing this season isn’t in your closet—it’s in your inbox.

Stay safe, stay smart, and have a fang-tastic Halloween!