Can You Spot A Phishing Scam?

Every day, thousands of people fall victim to fraudulent emails, texts, and calls from scammers pretending to be their bank. In this time of expanded online and mobile banking use, the problem is only worsening. In fact, the Federal Trade Commission's report on fraud estimates that American customers lost a staggering $10 billion to phishing scams and other fraud in 2023 - an increase of 13.6% over 2022.

It's time to put scammers in their place.

Online scams aren't so scary when you know what to look for. At Heartland Bank, we're committed to helping you spot them as an extra layer of protection for your account. We've joined with the American Bankers Association and banks across the country in a nationwide effort to fight phishing - one scam at a time.

We want every bank customer to become a pro at spotting a phishing scam - and stop bank impostors in their tracks. It starts with these four words: Banks Never Ask That. Because when you know something sounds suspicious, you'll be less likely to be fooled.

These four phishing scams are full of red flags:

• Text Message: If you receive a text message from someone claiming to be your bank asking you to sign in, or offer up your personal information, it's a scam. Banks Never Ask That.
• Email: Watch out for emails that ask you to click a suspicious link or provide personal information. The sender may claim to be someone from your bank, but it's a scam. Banks Never Ask That.
• Phone Call: Would your bank ever call you to verify your account number? No! Banks Never Ask That. If you're ever in doubt that the caller is legitimate, just hang up and call the bank directly at a number you trust.
• Payment Apps: Beware of text messages from someone claiming to be your bank saying your account has been hacked. The scammer may ask you to send money to a new account they've created for you, but that's a scam! Banks Never Ask That.

You've probably seen some of these scams before. But that doesn't stop a scammer from trying. For tips, videos, and an interactive quiz to help you keep phishing criminals at bay, visit www.BanksNeverAskThat.com. And be sure to share the webpage with your friends and family.

Click Here to learn more about our #PracticeSafeChecks initiative. 

Heartland Bank Tools to Help You Fight Fraud

At Heartland Bank, we are committed to your security and well-being. We offer tools and resources to help protect your finances:

• Credit Sense: Monitor your credit score and receive alerts for suspicious activity, which can help you detect potential fraud early.
• HB Mobile App: Manage your accounts on the go and monitor transactions in real-time, ensuring you're always aware of what's happening with your money.
• HB Alerts: To maintain your financial security, sign up for instant alerts on check activity and account transactions.

Stop by your local Heartland Bank branch for more information about these products. Together, we can fight fraud and keep your finances safe.