Banks Never Ask That!
Updated October 2024
Do you know how to keep yourself safe from phishing? With help from the American Bankers Association’s Banks Never Ask That anti-phishing campaign, we compiled a list of strategies to help you guard against fraud.
Email Phishing
Have you ever received a random email that pressures you to click a link or open an attachment? An average of 3.4 billion phishing emails are sent by scammers daily. Nothing good comes from clicking unexpected links or opening attachments from unusual email addresses! Do not click any links within strange emails and delete them immediately.
Text Scams
One of the most common forms of phishing is through text message. Scammers will send a text claiming to be from a reputable business or organization, pushing you to tap the link inside. If you tap the link, the scammer could steal your personal information or gain access to your device. If you receive a link in an unexpected text message, delete the message immediately!
Phone Scams
If you receive a random phone call claiming to be from your bank or another trusted organization, be careful. Banks and reputable companies will never ask for your full Social Security number or other personal information over the phone. If they do, hang up the phone and call back on an official listed number.
Payment App Scams
In 2023, the Federal Trade Commission reported nearly 50,000 payment app scams. Your bank will never ask you to send money through a payment app, and beware of unexpected text messages with links that appear to come from payment apps. Those are phishing scams!
Safer Payment Options
Scammers often try to commit check fraud by altering the check, stealing identities based on the check information or duplicating checks. You can stay safe from check fraud by paying digitally or taking advantage of your bank’s bill-pay service. Other safe options include using secure mailboxes and keeping your banking and personal information private. Monitor your accounts regularly and report any suspicious activity immediately.
Remember, guarding your private information can help keep you safe from fraud.
Report Your Experience
If you’ve been the victim of a scam that impacts your accounts with us, contact us right away at (518) 793-4121. We are here to help! We have trained professionals on staff who help customers fight fraud. If you’ve lost money, you’ll want to file a police report. You can also report your experience to the Federal Trade Commission.