At BankProv, we’re dedicated to safeguarding our customers against cyber-crime, identity theft and fraud. That’s why we’ve implemented multiple layers of security and fraud controls designed to safeguard your personal information and funds.
Every year, countless individuals fall victim to phishing schemes and identity theft. If a hacker were posing as your bank, would you know how to spot them? As part of the American Bankers Association campaign, #banksneveraskthat, we want to make sure you know how to spot a scam and protect yourself. We’re breaking down common red flags and actionable steps you can take to safeguard your information.
What is phishing?
Phishing is a sophisticated form of online scam where criminals craft fraudulent emails, phone calls and mimic legitimate bank communications. These scams can lead to significant financial loss with victims losing hundreds, even thousands, of dollars. The goal? To deceive you into revealing confidential information – such as account numbers, passwords, PINs or birthdays - by clicking on malicious links, or speaking to someone pretending to be your bank on the phone.
Common Red Flags to be Aware of:
Stay vigilant for these warning signs:
- High pressure tactics: Scammers thrive on urgency, creating false emergencies to compel you to act quickly.
- Requests for sensitive information: A legitimate bank will never ask for your passwords, PINs, or full Social Security number through unsolicited channels.
- Unfamiliar websites or suspicious links: Be wary of links that lead to websites you’ve never encountered before.
- Unverified phone numbers: Asking you to call a number different than the one listed on your card or statements is a major red flag.
- Poor Quality Language: Using incorrect grammar, multiple typos, or using unprofessional language in emails or texts is often a signal of a scam.
What to do if you Receive a Scam Email, Call or Text
Email or Text
If you suspect that an email or text you receive is a phishing attempt:
- Stay calm. In the majority of instances, it's completely secure to have opened a fraudulent email or message. Contemporary email applications, such as Gmail[AM1] , seek to identify and prevent any code or malicious software from executing when you access an email. The crucial point is to avoid clicking on links or downloading any attachments.
- Skip the attachments. Avoid downloading any files attached to the message. These attachments could potentially harbor harmful malware like viruses, worms, or spyware.
- Don’t click links. Links could redirect you to fraudulent websites designed to steal your information.
- Ignore the sender. Do not reply to any requests from the sender and do not call any phone numbers provided in the message.
- Report it. Assist in the battle against scammers by notifying the authorities. Send any suspicious phishing emails to the Anti-Phishing Working Group at [email protected]. For phishing text messages, forward them to SPAM (7726). Additionally, report the incident to the FTC at reportfraud.ftc.gov.
If you get a phone call that appears to be a phishing scheme:
- Hang up immediately. Keep in mind that area codes can be deceptive. Just because your Caller ID shows a local area code, it doesn't necessarily mean the caller is from your local area.
- Do not engage. Legitimate businesses and credible financial organizations will never contact you to ask for your personal details. You should never provide personal data to callers who initiate contact.
- Act quickly. Should you suspect that you've fallen prey to a fraudulent scheme, and you've shared personal or financial data, reach out to your bank right away using the customer service number that's publicly available. This is typically located on the reverse side of your bank card. Make sure to provide all pertinent information, like if the dubious caller tried to mimic your bank and whether you disclosed any personal or financial details to the questionable caller.
How can you prevent a scam?
- Enable multi-factor authentication on your bank and email accounts.
- Use random or complex passwords that are difficult to guess.
- Confirm correspondences received by directly contacting your bank, or accessing your account, to authenticate received messages or emails.
- Keep your browser updated with the latest security features, like virus protection and malware alerts.
What Your Bank Will Never Ask You
To further empower your defenses, here’s a list of things your bank will never ask:
- Your Passwords: Reputable banks will never request your online banking passwords or PINs.
- Full Social Security Number: While a bank may need part of your SSN for verification, they won’t ask for your complete number in unsolicited communications.
- Sensitive Information via Email or Text: Legitimate banks will communicate sensitive information only through secure channels.
- Immediate Action Required: If you receive a message insisting immediate action is needed to prevent account suspension, it’s likely a scam.
- Payments to Access Funds: A legitimate bank will never ask you for upfront payments to access your own money. Any applicable fees charged by the Bank will be listed on their fee schedule or prior to the initiation of a transaction.
- Access to Your Device: No bank will ever request remote access to your computer or mobile device.
- Confirmation of Personal Details in Unsolicited Communications: If someone asks you to confirm personal information in unsolicited communications, hang up and contact your bank directly.
Remember, if BankProv ever contacts you, we will never request personal or financial information, passwords, or via email, text, or unsolicited calls. If you suspect unauthorized transactions in your Online Banking or bill pay accounts, please reach out to us immediately at 888-806-7768.
For more resources and tips to protect yourself from fraud and cybercrime, visit bankprov.com/security, and for guidance on identifying scams and what to do if you fall victim, check out Identitytheft.gov.
Together, we can foster a safer banking environment for everyone. Stay informed, stay alert, and protect yourself!