How It Works
Someone calls you pretending to be an employee from your bank. The phone number on your caller ID appears to be from your financial institution, because the scammer used a method known as caller ID spoofing. The imposter will start by telling you your account, debit card, or online banking login has been compromised in some way. Then they will ask you to provide sensitive information such as: your social security number, account numbers, online banking user ID and/or password, one-time security codes, etc.
How To Avoid Being Scammed
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Don’t rely on caller ID. Scammers can use caller ID spoofing to make the caller ID display any number and/or name they want. |
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Slow Down. The scammer will create a sense of urgency using pressure-based tactics to get you to act without thinking. Do not take any immediate actions. |
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Don’t Share. Never provide your personal or financial information, such as social security number or account numbers, with someone who calls unexpectedly. In addition, do not share your one-time security codes or PIN to suspicious callers. Your bank will never reach out to you via email, phone, or text message asking you for this type of information. |
4 |
Hang Up. Nobody legitimate will ever contact you out of the blue asking for confidential information or demanding you pay them via cryptocurrency, gift cards, payment apps, or wire transfer. Hang up. It’s likely a scam. Call your bank at a number you know to be valid for your bank. Do not use the phone number, email, or website the caller gives you. |
How To Report If I Am Scammed
If you become a victim of this or any other scam, contact your bank immediately. Provide them information pertaining to the impersonation attempt and let them know if you divulged any personal or account information to the scammer. You should also file a police report, an identity theft report with Federal Trade Commission, and a report with the FBI Internet Crime Complaint Center (IC3) as soon as possible.
Other Resources
How to Recognize and Avoid Phishing Scams
What To Do if You Were Scammed
Share What You Know. Stop Scams.
