A New Twist on an Old Scam

Scam artists are always coming up with creative ways to trick people out of their personal and financial information. One of the latest scams reported in our area involves a phone call  from someone claiming to be with the United States Treasury.

In a recent incident, an Ozark Federal Credit Union member received a voicemail telling him he had 24 hours to call back and set up a direct deposit for unclaimed money he was allegedly owed.

Sounds official, right? That’s what they’re counting on. But this is 100% fraudulent.

What the Scam Looks Like

These calls often:

• Come from a spoofed number to appear official
• Use fear or urgency, like “24 hours to respond”
• Claim to be from a government agency
• Ask you to provide personal information or banking details
• Promise unclaimed funds or refunds

Scammers hope that the mention of the U.S. Treasury or “unclaimed money” will be enough to get your attention and prompt quick action.

Here’s the Truth

Let’s clear up the facts:

• The U.S. Treasury does not contact individuals about unclaimed assets via phone.
• Unclaimed money is managed by your state’s Treasurer’s Office, not the federal government.
• You can search for legitimate unclaimed funds for free at www.MissingMoney.com,  the only official multi-state site supported by participating state treasurers.

How to Protect Yourself

If you receive a call like this, follow these steps:

1. Do not call the number back.
2. Never give out your Social Security number, account number, or online banking info over the phone.
3. Hang up immediately and report the scam.
4. Visit www.MissingMoney.com to safely check for unclaimed assets in your name.

Call Ozark Federal Credit Union at 573-686-7221 if you need help or have questions.

Reminder: When in Doubt, Call Us First

At Ozark Federal Credit Union, we’re committed to keeping our members safe and informed. If you’re ever unsure about a message, call, or email you’ve received — even if it sounds legitimate — don’t hesitate to contact us first.

We're here to help protect you and your finances.

Stay alert. Stay informed. And stay connected with Ozark Federal Credit Union.