Innovative, engaging, and award-winning: Armco Credit Union’s multi-channel approach to fraud prevention

Last Halloween at Armco Credit Union's Mars, Pa., branch, employees dressed up in "scary" costumes.

One employee donned a fisherman's costume to symbolize "phishing" scams. Another appeared as a seductive woman to represent romance scams. Yet another was playfully adorned with "My Name Is" Post-it notes to evoke identity theft.

These imaginative costumes were designed to transform the topic of financial fraud into something engaging and memorable, sparking lively conversations among members.

A bold initiative to combat financial fraud

Fraud is a growing challenge for credit unions and their members. Data security measures often fail to protect consumers and small businesses or hold those who handle private data accountable when breaches occur.

Armco Credit Union is no stranger to the growing threat of financial scams. Its Financial Fraud Education Initiative takes a multi-channel approach to empower members—especially the vulnerable senior demographic—with innovative, hands-on experiences. This comprehensive program reaches 41,000 members and nearly 194,000 local residents, transforming traditional warnings into dynamic, community-focused education.

In fact, Armco Credit Union is one of five credit unions recognized by CrossState Credit Union Foundation as a 2025 honoree for excellence in the advancement of financial literacy, specifically their fraud education initiatives.

A comprehensive education strategy

While the Halloween event stole the spotlight, it's just one element of a broader fraud prevention strategy. At the Armco Credit Union annual meeting, members not only received reusable swag bags filled with fraud prevention items like RFID-blocking cell phone wallets, ink rollers, and laptop camera covers, but also took part in a lively game of Fraud Bingo.

As Armco Credit Union Marketing Manager Michele Jurysta put it, "When you're giving away $100 prizes for bingo, people tend to listen and get engaged, right?" This scam-themed game turned fraud education into an interactive and fun experience, proving that learning can be as entertaining as it is essential.

Jurysta explained that the Halloween event and Fraud Bingo were designed to break away from the traditional, often overlooked fraud education approach.

"The challenge with fraud education is that people believe that they've seen it all, and so they are tuning out your traditional messages," she noted, underscoring the need for innovative outreach."

In addition to these engaging events, Armco Credit Union has introduced tangible resources to assist members when they need it most. A standout tool is the 28-page Identity Theft Recovery Guide-a resource blending FTC recommendations with the credit union's own procedures. This detailed guide provides step-by-step instructions, sample letters, and essential tips on freezing credit and monitoring accounts, ensuring members have clear directions to follow if they become a fraud victim.

Empowering a culture of vigilance

Armco Credit Union's commitment to fraud prevention extends well beyond member engagement. Regular training sessions ensure that every employee is equipped to spot and address suspicious activity. This dedication has not gone unnoticed-Armco Credit Union was recently honored with the AARP Bank Safe Seal, an accolade awarded to institutions where at least 80% of the staff are trained to recognize and combat fraud.

Further bolstering this proactive culture is the quarterly "Fraud Busters Award," recognizing a staff member.

"Every quarter that we post the Fraud Busters Awards, we get outstanding social media engagement," Jurysta said. This recognition program reinforces a culture where every team member plays a critical role in safeguarding the community.

Making a tangible impact in the community

The initiative's innovative approach is already showing results. Beyond heightened member engagement, Armco's outreach efforts—spanning in-branch events, digital boot camps, and local radio campaigns—helped prevent more than $357,000 in fraudulent losses last year, according to Jurysta. The initiative's innovative approach is already showing results.

"We did a whole radio campaign because we wanted to educate the community about all of the scams that were going on in the community," she said. These combined efforts underscore how creative education and proactive communication can transform the way a community combats financial fraud.

A sustainable future for fraud education

With fraud schemes evolving constantly, Armco Credit Union remains committed to keeping its educational efforts fresh and effective. Plans include updating digital tools, expanding interactive outreach events, and maintaining rigorous staff training to ensure the community is always a step ahead of scammers. By continuously innovating, Armco Credit Union is not only protecting its members today but also building a safer financial future for tomorrow.

When credit unions get creative with their approach to fraud prevention and education is engaging and community-focused, even the most daunting financial threats can be met with confidence and resilience.