Arrowhead and Colton Police warn residents about scams

Arrowhead Credit Union teamed up with the Colton Police Department for a community presentation on fraud prevention and financial safety in Colton, California. The event highlighted how scammers use AI, phishing and impersonation tactics, as officials and lawmakers urged residents to protect personal and banking information.

Why it matters: - Scam losses are growing fast, and the presentation aimed to help Inland Empire residents avoid bank account, credit card and identity theft. - The Federal Trade Commission reported that imposter scams totaling $3.5 billion were the most reported fraud in 2025, and those scams have nearly tripled since 2020. - Local law enforcement, a credit union and elected officials all framed fraud prevention as a community safety issue, not just a banking issue.

What happened: - Arrowhead Credit Union and the Colton Police Department hosted a community presentation on scam prevention and financial safety in Colton, California. - Arrowhead presenters Courtney Thompson, a Community Impact Financial Coach, and Valerie Turrey-Aquino, Loss Prevention Assistant Manager, led the discussion. - Representatives from the offices of U.S. Rep. Pete Aguilar and California state Sen. Eloise Gomez Reyes attended to hear community concerns and support the partnership.

The details: - The presentation focused on how to identify fraud and scams in technology and everyday situations. - Arrowhead staff warned that AI and phishing tactics sent through phone calls, email, texts and social media are designed to pressure people into giving away financial and personal information. - Thompson said anyone can be targeted and urged people to track their finances and report suspicious activity to their financial institution right away. - Attendees were warned that card skimming and theft can happen in familiar places such as restaurants, gas stations and stores. - Turrey-Aquino said people should never give passwords, PINs, Social Security numbers or banking details to unknown sources. - Turrey-Aquino also urged residents to verify sources and set alerts for activity on cards or memberships tied to online resources. - The event covered celebrity impostor scams, romance scams, fraudulent door-to-door service technicians, bank spoofing scams, fake employment scams and fake loan application scams. - Senator Gómez Reyes said education is one of the most effective tools to protect communities and praised the Colton Police and Arrowhead Credit Union partnership. - Prince Ogidikpe, representing Reyes’ office, presented Arrowhead Credit Union with a Senate Certificate of Recognition for advancing financial literacy throughout the Inland Empire. - Aguilar, in a statement, said law enforcement, government and financial institutions need to work together as scams and identity theft become more common.

Between the lines: - The event shows how financial institutions are expanding into frontline consumer protection work, especially as scams become more digital and harder to spot. - The mix of police, lawmakers and credit union staff suggests a broader effort to build trust and push prevention messages through local institutions residents already know. - Arrowhead positioned financial education as an ongoing service, not a one-time outreach event.

What's next: - Arrowhead Financial Coaches will continue one-on-one member sessions and financial education presentations throughout the year. - Those programs will reach communities across the Inland Empire, Desert Communities, Southern California Beach Cities and the Phoenix Metro area. - More information is available from Arrowhead Credit Union and the ArrowHeart Foundation. - The FTC report referenced in the presentation is available in the agency's press release.

The bottom line: - The message from Arrowhead and Colton police was direct: scammers are using increasingly sophisticated tactics, and fast reporting, skepticism and account alerts are now basic financial safety steps.