Not Everything That Glitters Is Good: Fraud Awareness in a Wicked World
Inspired by the lessons of Wicked
By Liza Gillan, Vice President, Compliance & Operations Risk, Alloya Corporate FCU
November 20, 2025
Ever since Elphaba was little, she had always dreamed of visiting Oz. When she and Glinda finally saved enough money for the visit, it was everything they had imagined. The Emerald City shimmered like a jewel under the midday sun. Its streets glowed yellow, its green towers sparkled, and laughter floated through the air like music. The girls walked slowly down the yellow brick road, their eyes wide with wonder.
The Wizard’s voice boomed from the heart of the Emerald City, smooth and commanding, “Trust me, and you’ll be secure. Prosperity for all!”
“Isn’t it just fabulocious?” Glinda sang to the crowd. “Oz is practically perfect — shiny streets, happy faces and the Wizard looking over us. It’s positively shimmerific!”
The crowd cheered. Elphaba smiled. It was easy to believe in perfection when everything glittered.
But perfection can be an illusion.
As Elphaba wandered through the bustling market, she noticed a figure in a dark cloak standing quietly by a display of shimmering trinkets. It was Dr. Dillamond. His horns stood out against the glittering backdrop, and his eyes held a depth Elphaba couldn’t ignore.
“You like what you see?” he asked softly, his voice calm but firm. “Just remember — things aren’t always what they seem. Behind every curtain, there’s a truth waiting to be found. Don’t believe everything that sparkles.”
Dr. Dillamond knew better than anyone that glitter often masks the truth. A scholar devoted to uncovering facts, he had seen how easy it was for those in power to twist perception and hide behind charm. Silenced for speaking uncomfortable truths, he understood that knowledge was the only real defense against illusion.
Elphaba nodded, unsettled but intrigued. She didn’t know it yet, but that advice would save her from more than one illusion.
That evening, when Elphaba returned to her hotel room, she found a letter slipped under her door. The emerald ink of the QR code shimmered like magic, and the Wizard’s seal gleamed at the top.
Urgent! Your account is at risk. Scan here to secure your funds.
Her heart thudded. “Oh no… What if I lose everything we saved for this trip?” she murmured, scanning the instructions. The words pulsed with urgency, promising security if she acted now.
Just then, the door swung open and Glinda breezed in, practically sparkling from head to toe, her laughter bubbling like champagne.
“Oh, Elphie, darling!” Glinda sang. “Don’t stress your pretty little head. Just scan the QR code, click the link and fix it snappylocious! It’s from the Wizard, so you must act fast. He knows everything!”
Elphaba hesitated. “But… Dr. Dillamond said…”
Glinda waved a manicured hand. “Elphie, please. Don’t be so dramatic. Why can’t you just stay calm for once? This is simple. The faster you act, the safer you’ll be.”
Elphaba’s fingers hovered over her phone. Then Dr. Dillamond’s voice echoed in her mind: “Not everything that glitters is good. Look behind the curtain.”
Elphaba set the phone down. “Behind the curtain,” she whispered.
Red flags Elphaba noticed:
- Urgency: “Act now or lose everything” is a classic pressure tactic.
- Unverified link: The letter urged her to scan the QR code instead of visiting or calling an official office.
- Unexpected communication: She hadn’t requested any account help.
The next morning, Elphaba marched to the Wizard’s palace. Guards in emerald uniforms blocked the entrance.
“I need to confirm this,” Elphaba said, holding up the letter. “Is this from the Wizard?”
One guard frowned. “That? No, Miss. It’s a scam. We’ve had reports.”
Elphaba’s concerns felt validated. The illusion shattered like glass.
She was happy she had taken the extra step — but it wasn’t long until the next trick came.
Days later, her phone rang. The voice on the other end was warm, reassuring and confident.
“Elphaba Thropp,” the caller said smoothly, “I’m with the Emerald City Treasury. We’ve detected suspicious activity on your account. If you don’t act now, your funds could vanish.”
Elphaba gripped the phone. “What do I need to do?”
“Just confirm your details: your account number and your security code. We’ll fix everything.”
Glinda appeared again, twirling her wand. “See? They’re helping you! Give them what they need, and you’ll be fine.”
Elphaba frowned. “Why the rush?” she asked the caller. “I’ll come down to the Treasury office myself to straighten this out.”
The voice faltered. “That’s… unnecessary. We can handle it now.”
Elphaba hung up. Her pulse raced as she strode to the Treasury office. The truth was waiting: No one had called her. It was another fraudster, spinning a story to create fear and urgency.
Red flags Elphaba spotted:
- Pressure and fear: “Your funds could vanish” is designed to cause panic.
- Request for sensitive information: No legitimate institution asks for full account details over the phone.
- Caller ID trust trap: The number looked official — but fraudsters can spoof numbers.
Elphaba left the office wiser than before. Fraud was like the Wizard’s tricks — grand illusions designed to keep her from questioning. But she had learned to pause, verify and trust her instincts.
She then made a choice: She wouldn’t just protect herself; she would protect others.
Elphaba found Dr. Dillamond in the market again the next day and told him everything. He smiled knowingly. “You’ve seen the truth,” he said. “Now share it. The Wizard’s illusions only work if people stay silent.”
So Elphaba stood in the city square, her voice strong and clear: “Fraud thrives on illusion,” she told the crowd. “It dazzles with charm and urgency, hoping you’ll act before you think. But you have the power to break the spell!”
Credit unions, you hold that same power. Fraudsters count on silence and confusion — but together, we can turn knowledge into protection. Make these lessons part of your member education:
- Pause before you act: Teach members to slow down when urgency feels suspicious.
- Verify the source: Encourage them to use official channels, not links or codes.
- Guard your secrets: Remind them never to share sensitive details unless they initiated the contact.
- Speak up: Promote reporting of suspicious activity — early detection saves losses.
Fraud prevention isn’t just a defense; it’s a community effort. Train your staff. Share these tips in newsletters, social media and member meetings. The more we educate, the harder it is for fraud to win.
Glinda clapped her hands. “Well, aren’t you just the cleverest thing! I’d never have thought of all that curtain-peeking. I would’ve just clicked and hoped for the best!”
Elphaba looked up at the glittering towers and smiled. She wasn’t fooled by the shine anymore. She had defied gravity — not on a broomstick, but through knowledge and confidence. And that was the real magic.
Stay alert. Stay informed. And remember: The truth is always behind the curtain.
References to Wicked, its characters and related themes are for illustrative purposes only. Alloya Corporate Federal Credit Union has no affiliation with the musical, its creators or any associated trademarks. This content is intended for educational use by credit unions to promote fraud awareness and prevention.