Imagine receiving a phone call that sounds exactly like your grandson – his voice trembling as he says he’s been in an accident and needs you to wire money immediately. You may feel confused, emotional, even panicked. You might instinctively reach for your account information to help him immediately.

But here’s the catch: it could be a scam. And in that moment, it can be nearly impossible to tell.

"The rise of artificial intelligence has made scams harder to detect and more emotionally convincing,” said Melissa Molnar, Fraud Prevention Specialist at Community Focus Federal Credit Union. “Voice cloning, deepfake videos and AI-generated messages are being used to impersonate loved ones or authority figures with chilling accuracy. It’s no longer just about spotting typos – it’s about pausing, verifying and thinking critically before you act.”

Fraud prevention is top of mind for the team at Community Focus. Scammers are more convincing than ever, using fear and urgency combined with AI technology to deceive people – especially older adults.

That’s why we’re committed to arming our members with real-world knowledge.

“It all starts with education,” said Jenna Dent, Community Focus FCU Payment Specialist. “One of our members received a call threatening to shut off power in 30 minutes unless she paid with a prepaid debit card. The urgency sounded real – but it was all a scam. We helped her report the incident before she acted on it.”

Since 1961, Community Focus Federal Credit Union has proudly served the Downriver community with one clear mission: to provide personalized, trustworthy financial solutions that help our members achieve their goals and live with confidence.

But in today’s world, financial security means more than just savings and loans – it means protection from growing threats like identity theft, scams and financial fraud. As scammers grow more sophisticated, we believe knowledge is the best defense. Community Focus FCU takes a proactive approach to fraud prevention by:
Hosting Free Educational Workshops in partnership with local libraries and senior centers
Sharing Real-World Scam Alerts and prevention tips through our website, social media and newsletters
Providing One-on-One Support for members who have questions or may suspect fraud
Promoting Safe Practices like debit card locking, secure online banking and identity protection services

Whether it's a phishing text, a fake “grandchild in trouble” call or a romance scam, we help our members recognize the warning signs – and avoid becoming victims. Scams don’t just take money – they steal trust, confidence and peace of mind. At Community Focus FCU, we believe our responsibility goes beyond banking. We are a partner in your financial journey – helping you build, grow and protect what you’ve worked so hard for.

As part of our ongoing commitment to fraud prevention, Community Focus is hosting a free Fraud Prevention Workshop at the Taylor Senior Center (6750 Troy Street, Taylor) on Friday, October 17 at 10 a.m.

This workshop is open to Downriver residents age 50 and older and will cover some of the most common scams affecting our area – including impersonation calls, fake sweepstakes, tech support scams, and even AI-powered fraud. You’ll learn practical tips to protect yourself and your loved ones. Join us for this informative session and stay one step ahead of the scammers!

At Community Focus FCU, we believe knowledge is power – and protection. Let’s stay informed, stay connected and stay one step ahead of fraudsters together.

Visit www.communityfocusfcu.org or follow us on Facebook for more resources, event updates and scam alerts