In today’s digital age, scams are becoming increasingly more sophisticated and it’s important to stay vigilant. The American Bankers Association (ABA) launched the #BanksNeverAskThat campaign in honor of Cybersecurity Awareness Month to help people recognize and avoid phishing scams that could compromise their personal and financial information.
Here are some tips to help keep you and your information safe:
1. Know What Your Bank Will Never Ask For
Your bank will never ask for sensitive information via email, text message, or over the phone. If you receive a request for any of the following, it’s a red flag:
- Social Security Number
- Account Number
- Passwords or PINs
- One-time passcodes
Banks use secure methods to request and verify your identity, such as secure online portals and in-person verification. They won’t ask for sensitive details through unsecured channels.
2. Stay Skeptical of Unsolicited Requests
If you get an unexpected email or message claiming to be from your bank, stop and think before you act. Scammers often create urgency, using phrases like “your account has been compromised” or “act now to avoid account suspension.” Instead of clicking on any links or providing information, contact your bank directly through their official website or customer service number to verify the legitimacy of the request.
3. Spot the Signs of Phishing Scams
Phishing scams often look convincing, but there are telltale signs that something is off. Watch out for:
- Suspicious email addresses or phone numbers: Legitimate companies communicate through their official domains or phone numbers. Check for misspellings or random numbers.
- Generic greetings: A real bank typically addresses you by name. Scammers often use general greetings like “Dear customer” to cast a wider net.
- Grammatical errors: Phishing attempts often contain typos or awkward phrasing.
- Unusual links or attachments: Avoid clicking on suspicious links or downloading attachments, especially if you weren’t expecting the email.
4. Double-Check Before You Act
Before responding to any message or email that claims to be from your bank, take a moment to pause and verify:
- Call your bank directly using a trusted phone number.
- Visit the official website by typing the URL into your browser instead of clicking links in emails or texts.
- Check with your bank’s mobile app to see if there’s an alert or notification about any issues with your account.
5. Report Suspicious Activity Immediately
If you think you’ve been targeted by a scam or have shared personal information with someone you shouldn’t have, take action quickly:
- Contact your bank to report the incident.
- Change your passwords to any online banking or payment apps.
- Monitor your accounts closely for suspicious activity and report unauthorized transactions as soon as you notice them.
At First Pacific Bank, we believe empowering our clients with knowledge is the best way to help keep their accounts secure. Remember, if something seems suspicious, #BanksNeverAskThat.
