FRAUD ALERT: Tower, or any of our partners will never contact you asking for your account information. Never give out your credentials, card number, payment information or security code. If you're unsure whether a message or call is legitimate, don't reply — call our fraud hotline at 866-56-TOWER.

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Routing Number | 255077370

Fraud Quiz

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Fraud & Security Center
Fraud Quiz

🛡️ Fraud Prevention Quiz

Test your knowledge and protect yourself from fraud.

Which habits best protect you from common fraud scams?

Never share account credentials or one-time codes with callers; hang up and call back on official numbers; always verify "family emergencies" through a known contact before sending money. Use the same strong password for all financial accounts so you never forget it. Check your account balance just once a month so you're not overwhelmed by fraud worries. Only answer calls from numbers you already recognize and avoid using online banking entirely.

Someone promotes a crypto platform promising 30–40% monthly returns and shows account proof. What’s most likely happening?

Could be a scam, but screenshots are hard to fake so this one seems trustworthy. Almost certainly a fake investment scam — screenshots are easily fabricated and guaranteed monthly returns are a hallmark of fraud. It might be real — start with a small amount and reinvest if it works. It sounds legitimate — cryptocurrency can deliver big returns and a screenshot is solid proof.

A caller posing as police demands gift cards to clear a warrant. This is:

Only a scam if they're asking for more than a few hundred dollars. A government impersonation scam — real law enforcement never demands gift card payments to resolve a warrant. Possibly real — you should buy the gift cards just to be safe and sort it out later. A legitimate law enforcement call — police do sometimes contact people about warrants by phone.

A caller claiming to be Medicare demands a $200 prepaid card fee to keep coverage. What should be done?

Pay the fee right away — losing Medicare coverage would be financially devastating. Hang up immediately — Medicare never calls to demand fees via prepaid cards, and the caller ID may be spoofed. Pay with a regular debit card instead — prepaid cards are riskier. Ask for a callback number and call back to verify before paying.

A "grandchild" calls asking for $2,500 after an accident and says not to tell parents. This is most likely:

A grandparent scam — criminals now use AI voice-cloning to impersonate family members and manufacture urgency. A real emergency — the voice on the phone sounded exactly like their grandchild. Impossible to tell — wire half now and verify before sending the rest. Probably genuine — a scammer wouldn't know to ask them to keep it secret unless it were real.

A caller spoofing Tower's phone number asks for your full debit card number to verify fraud. What should you do?

Hang up and call Tower back using the number on the back of your card or the official website. Provide just the last four digits — that should be safe enough to confirm your identity. Provide your card number — the call is coming from the Tower's real number, so it must be legitimate. Ask the caller to transfer you to their supervisor before giving any information.

What information would your bank NEVER ask for by phone or text?

Your mailing address to send updated account documents. Confirmation that you authorized a specific transaction that looks suspicious. Your online banking username and password, or a one-time security code just sent to your phone. The last four digits of your Social Security number to verify your identity after YOU called them.

A text posing as your bank asks for your username and a 6-digit code after a "login alert." What should you do?

Do not reply. Call Tower directly — Tower will never ask you to text back a one-time security code. Reply with the 6-digit code — it was sent to your phone, which proves you're the real account owner. Send only your username — that alone isn't enough for someone to access your account. Reply quickly — stopping unauthorized account access is the top priority.

An online contact of 2 months asks for $800 due to an emergency. You’ve never met. This is most likely:

Probably fine as long as you send only a small amount to test them first. A classic romance scam — fraudsters deliberately build fake relationships over weeks or months before making a money request. A genuine emergency — they've been communicating warmly for weeks, so the relationship must be real. Probably a legitimate request — you can always get the money back if something seems off later.

An urgent email posing as the IRS asks you to click a link to pay back taxes. What should you do?

Do not click the link — the IRS always initiates contact through postal mail, never by email or text. Reply to the email to verify if it's real before clicking any links. Click the link and check your status — ignoring a real IRS notice will only make things worse. It's safe to click the link as long as you don't enter any payment information.

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Your Fraud Prevention Knowledge

🛡️ Essential Fraud Prevention Tips

Never give personal information to unsolicited callers
Always verify requests by contacting your credit union directly
Be skeptical of urgent requests for money or information
Monitor your accounts regularly for suspicious activity
Use strong, unique passwords and enable two-factor authentication
Keep your personal information private on social media
Report suspicious activity to your credit union immediately

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866-56-TOWER

Routing number: 255077370

Tower Federal Credit Union in Maryland, Virginia and Washington D.C. is a financial institution that offers valuable personal banking solutions including checking accounts, savings accounts, credit cards, auto loans, mortgages, home equity loans and much more. Conduct your credit union business online, with our app or visit our conveniently located branches in Columbia, Hanover, Annapolis Junction, Ellicott City, Laurel, Clarksville, Millersville, Pasadena, Gambrills, Owings Mills and Annapolis, MD.

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