Protect Against Scams
Text Scams
Watch for text messages that appear to be from a bank or other financial institution. You do not have to be a customer for the scam to work. The text will ask you to verify your account by either following a link or calling a phone number. The intent is for you to provide some type of personal information that can be stolen, such as a debit/ATM card PIN. For more information, visit the Better Business Bureau’s Scam Stopper website bbb.org, where you will learn things like:
- Ignore instructions to text “STOP” or “NO” which confirms that your number is valid and active
- Forward the text to your cell phone carrier to block future texts from that number
- Call the bank or financial institution to verify the text is real
Wire Scams
Wire scams can include a variety of ploys to entice you to send money through a wire (this is the same as sending actual cash to a person). Wiring money is like giving cash, once it’s sent you cannot get it back. To protect yourself from falling prey to a wire scam, NEVER wire money to someone you don’t know, even if they claim the money is for a friend or relative that you do know. Learn more from the Federal Trade Commission by visiting consumer.gov.
- Scams may lead you to believe a variety of stories:
- You won the lottery but have to pay taxes first
- You inherited money but have to pay fees to receive the money
- A family member who is in trouble and needs you to send money
- You receive a check from the wrong amount and need to send the extra funds back
- If you believe you have fallen prey to a wire scam
- Call the Federal Trade Commission (FTC)
- Notify the FTC online at ftccomplaintassistant.gov
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