Scams are getting harder to spot, and they target people of every age and background. At San Luis Valley Federal Bank, protecting your money is part of protecting our community. We put this guide together to help you recognize the warning signs and know exactly what to do. A few minutes now can save you a lot later.
San Luis Valley Federal Bank will never call, text, or email to ask for your password, PIN, or a verification code. If someone claiming to be from the bank asks, it's ok to hang up and call us at the number on the back of your debit card.
4 Signs That It's a Scam
Almost every scam shares the same handful of tricks. Learn these four and you'll spot most of them coming.
They Pretend to Be Someone You Trust
Scammers pose as your bank, a government agency, a business, or even a family member. Caller ID names and numbers are easy to fake, so a familiar name on your screen proves nothing.
There's a Problem or a Prize
Every scam needs a hook. Either something is wrong (you owe money, your account is at risk, you're in legal trouble) or something is exciting (you won, you inherited, you're owed a refund).
They Pressure You to Act Now
Scammers push for a fast decision so you don't have time to think or check. They may demand secrecy, or even coach you on what to tell your family or your bank.
They Ask You to Pay a Specific Way
They steer you toward gift cards, wire transfers, payment apps, or cash. These methods are nearly impossible to reverse.
6 Common Scams to Watch For
Here are common scams we see most often here in the San Luis Valley.
Government & Authority Impostors
A caller claims to be from the IRS, Social Security, Medicare, or the police, and says you're in trouble. Real agencies should contact you by mail first and never demand payment over the phone. More importantly, they will never ask for secure info.
Family & Romantic Impostors
Someone poses as a grandchild in trouble, or builds an online romance over weeks or months. Once you start to care, they ask for money for an emergency, a plane ticket, or a crisis that never seems to end.
Tech Support & Ransomware
A pop-up, call, or email warns that your device is infected. They talk you into giving them remote access to your device, to steal or lock your files until you pay. Real tech companies don't cold-call you and ask to connect to your device.
Phishing Messages
A text or email that looks like your bank, a store, a popular company, or a delivery service asks you to verify your account. The link leads to a fake site built to capture your passwords, card numbers, or codes.
Prizes, Lotteries & Inheritance
You're told you won a sweepstakes, or that a stranger overseas needs help moving a fortune. Either way, you have to pay a fee or a tax up front to unlock money that was never real.
Online Shopping & Marketplace
A deal too good to be true, a seller who vanishes after you pay, or a buyer who overpays and asks for the difference back. If they push you toward gift cards or through an unusual payment method, walk away.
Red Flags in Action: Real Text Scams
See how these warning signs look on a real screen so you can spot them easier.
Amount Due Scam
Red Flag
What it looks like: A threatening text claiming an overdue balance and imminent service shutoff to force a rushed payment through a sketchy link.
- Are there obvious spelling or grammatical errors, such as misspelling "overdue" as "ovedrue"?
- Is the sender relying on extreme threats to force an immediate payment?
Bank Updates Scam
Red Flag
What it looks like: A fraudulent message claiming a mandatory bank system update to steal personal information via an unsecure, generic link.
- Does the sender use a suspiciously generic term like "The Bank" instead of your actual institution?
- Does the message create a false sense of urgency?
Account at Risk Scam
Red Flag
What it looks like: A fake security alert designed to create panic about a compromised account, directing the victim to a malicious shortlink.
- Is the message attempting to trigger panic by claiming an unauthorized login occurred?
- Does the message hide the true destination using a URL shortlink?
Your 5 Golden Rules of Defense
When something feels off, these five habits will help keep you safe.
Slow Down
Legitimate businesses always give you time to decide. Never let anyone rush you into acting right away.
Don't Click or Call Back
Never click a link in an unexpected text or email, and never call the number a suspicious caller gives you. Look up the official number on your bank statement, and stick to official websites such as .bank and .gov.
Keep Information Private
Legitimate organizations never call, text, or email to ask for your Social Security number, account numbers, passwords, or verification codes.
Know How to Pay
Gift cards are for gifts, not payments. Never send money by gift card or wire transfer to someone you don't know, and use payment apps like Zelle, Venmo, and Cash App only with people you know and trust.
Talk to Someone
Before you send money or share information, talk to us, a trusted friend, family member, or neighbor. Saying it out loud often exposes the scam.
Think You've Been Targeted? Talk to Us.
If something feels off, you are never bothering us by asking. Call us at or stop by our Alamosa or Monte Vista branch, and we'll help you sort out whether it's real. When it comes to your money, there is no such thing as a silly question.