OKLAHOMA CITY (KFOR) – The staff at WEOKIE Federal Credit Union in Yukon recently prevented a member from losing $50,000 in a scam.
Officials say the member was contacted by a scammer claiming to be law enforcement demanding money for “legal issues”.
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According to WEOKIE, a branch employee noticed the unusual activity and asked specific questions before moving forward. Once it was determined it was a scam, law enforcement was called and a report was made.
As scams become more common, WEOKIE staff have taken note of other scams they have seen:
- Cryptocurrency Investment Fraud — Victims are convinced to invest in Bitcoin or other crypto but unknowingly send funds to accounts controlled by scammers.
- Government or Financial Institution Impersonation — Scammers pose as IRS agents, law enforcement, or even financial employees, claiming there are warrants or suspicious activity. Victims are told to withdraw cash for “safekeeping” and may even be coached on what to tell tellers to bypass internal safeguards.
- Wire Fraud / Funnel Accounts — Victims are tricked into opening accounts used by scammers to move illicit funds via checks, ACH, or wire transfers.
- Account Takeover & Recruitment Scams — Criminals recruit young adults online to open accounts. Using stolen credentials, scammers move money into these accounts and instruct recruits to withdraw cash immediately.
- Elder Scams — Fraudsters continue to disproportionately target older adults, often through fear-based or “urgent” calls requesting cash
“Protecting our members is at the heart of everything we do,” said Jeff Carpenter, President & CEO of WEOKIE Federal Credit Union. “Our staff are trained to spot red flags, trust their instincts, and intervene when something doesn’t feel right. Their vigilance has already prevented several members from losing life-changing amounts of money — and we want every Oklahoman to know: if something feels suspicious, slow down, ask questions, and contact your financial institution before taking action.”…