Red Flags
Here are some red flags that should make you stop and think before providing your account or personal information to someone:
- You weren't expecting to hear from this company and/or you don't have a relationship with this company.
- You're being asked to provide banking account information or card information that you have previously provided to this company. There's no reason a company that already has your information on file would need you to provide a full account or card number for any reason. The may ask you for the last 4 digits of your card number to identify you, but a full number should not be required.
- When you mention that you'd like to call your bank first and you're told "No, don't contact your bank". BIG, BIG, BIG Red Flag!
- You're being asked to put money on some kind of gift card to pay for something.
- You're being asked to sign into your online banking. There is ZERO reason a company should ask you to sign in to your online banking so they can help you with something.
- Text messages from an unknown number requesting information or asking you to click on a link.
- You likely get several fraudulent emails a day. The spam filter will not catch them all! Seeing any of the following in an email should be a red flag:
- Email verbiage contains bad grammar and/or misspelled words.
- Email address it's coming from is not familiar.
- Email address it's coming from is similar to someone you know, but not the exact same.
- Email includes a threat or sense of urgency.
- Email asks you for your personal information, banking information or online banking credentials.
- Unexpected Email or Email from someone you do not personally know requests you to click on a link or open an attachment.
- Clicking on links or opening attachments can allow viruses to be downloaded on your device immediately. Once you click, you can't stop it! NEVER open a link or attachment you were not expecting from an unknown source.
Trust Your Gut
With all the scams out there these days, it's important to be cautious and careful with your information. Trust your gut. If you are feeling pressured to do something you are not comfortable with, take a moment to step back and reach out to someone you trust for guidance. You can NOT be too careful. When in doubt, please Contact Us! Keeping your personal information and money SAFE is our number one concern. If you feel you've been a victim of a scam, please reach out to us immediately. Report Fraud and/or identity theft online as soon as possible.