Fraud Is Evolving—Here’s How To Stay One Step Ahead | Guiding You Forward

Fraud isn’t what it used to be. It’s smarter, more personal and increasingly powered by technology most people don’t yet understand. That’s why Mountain America Credit Union’s Guiding You Forward podcast opened our microphone to Subhi Salim, vice president of fraud management and operations, for a candid conversation on what today’s fraud landscape really looks like—and what you can do about it.

Here’s some of what Subhi covers:

• How confidence fraud works and why it’s so difficult to detect.
• Why fraud education is your single best line of defense.

• The exact steps to take if you’ve been a victim of fraud.

When the threat gets personal

Today’s scammers aren’t just sending suspicious emails. They’re turning to tactics like using AI to clone the voice of someone you love and manufacturing a crisis designed to make you act fast and think later. What would you do if your grandson called saying he was in an international jail and needed bail money? “All you need is three seconds of audio … to clone someone’s voice and use it to mimic someone,” Subhi explains. “We need to apply logic. As a human, when things look familiar, we tend to trust more and to give more and lower our guard right away. It’s best to take it slow. The best thing you can do is always hang up and call directly to a trusted phone number.” Watch the full episode to find out Subhi’s recommended action for this kind of scam.

The best defense is a shared one

Knowing how to spot fraud is important. Talking about it is even more powerful. Subhi explains why fraud prevention has to be a community effort. “One team or one company cannot do it all by themselves,” he says. He recommends spreading the word to family and friends, which can stop scammers before they find their next mark. The conversation includes practical guidance on who’s being targeted and why no one should assume they are immune.

If it happens to you

Being defrauded is disorienting. Knowing what to do next can make all the difference. Subhi walks through a clear, actionable response plan to help protect yourself quickly and limit further damage. Whether you’re worried it’s already happened to you, or you just want to be prepared, this part of the conversation is a can’t-miss.

You’re not in this alone

Behind the scenes, Mountain America Credit Union works continuously to monitor, detect and respond to fraud across every channel—online, in branch and through our service center. It’s a seamless process designed to protect members without disrupting their experience. To learn more about the specific tools and safeguards Mountain America has put in place for you, tune in to the full episode.