HB joins banks across the country for #BanksNeverAskThat campaign

America’s banks are joining forces to protect consumers during National Cybersecurity Awareness Month.

The American Banker's Association (ABA) says scammers stole over $16 billion from people in 2024. These scams, often emails, texts, or phone calls pretending to be from your bank, try to trick you into sharing personal information like your account number, Social Security number, or online banking password.

Email Scams

1. Unusual Email Address
   Slow it down. Does that look like an email address your bank would use? Be wary of unexpected emails from addresses that aren’t like the ones your bank typically employs.
2. Misspelled Words
   Spot check! If you see misspelled words or odd grammar, they are all clear signs of an impersonator. Real banks use spell check.
   
3. Scare Tactics
   Don’t panic. If an email uses scare tactics, such as urgent warnings of account closure or security breaches, you can safely assume it’s a scam.
4. Suspicious URLs
   Hold up — banks will never ask you to log in via email. Phishing emails use deceptive URLs to take you to malicious websites. Never click links that you weren’t expecting.
5. Unexpected Attachments
   Something’s phishy, because real banks will never send an email attachment — especially when you didn’t ask for it. Attachments can contain malware that can compromise your computer or personal information. Never click on attachments from emails supposedly from your bank.

Text Scams

1. Strange Phone Numbers
   Slow it down. Is that the number your bank usually uses to send text messages? Legit text message updates come from an official 4-5 digit number used by your bank.
2. Urgent Warnings or Requests
   Take a breath. Phishing texts try to create a sense of panic, such as threatening to suspend your account or urging you to log in to verify. Real bank texts won’t.
3. Odd Grammar or Spelling Mistakes
   Spot check! If you see misspelled words or odd grammar they are all clear signs of an impersonator. Real banks use spell check.
4. Requests for Personal Information
   If a text message requests personal or sensitive information, such as account numbers, PINs, passwords, or social security numbers, you can assume it’s a scam.
5. Suspicious Links
   Banks rarely — if ever — send links via text. Don’t click them. Instead, verify the message by visiting your bank’s official website, or calling the number on the back of your card.

Phone Scams

• Unusual Caller ID
  While caller ID can be spoofed, legitimate calls from your bank are more likely to display an official phone number or a known identifier. If not, be very skeptical.
• Scare Tactics or Threats
  Phishing calls rely on a sense of urgency. If the caller pressures you into immediate action or threatens negative consequences, just hang up and call the number on the back of your bank card.
• Asking for Personal Information
  Banks will rarely ask for your account number, PIN, or password during a phone call — and will never ask for a one-time login code. Never share such confidential details unless you’ve called the number on the back of your bank card.
• Calling you unexpectedly
  Be very skeptical of calls you receive out of the blue. Normally, bank representatives will only reach out if you initiate contact first. Stay safe by ending the call and dialing the number on the back of your bank card.

Payment App Scams

• Unexpected Requests
  Be cautious if you receive unexpected requests from strangers or organizations asking you to send money through a payment app. This is a scammer move.
• Sending Money to Yourself
  If someone who claims to be your bank says you have to send money to yourself, you can be 100% certain it’s a scam. Banks never ask that.
• Overpayment Claims
  Be skeptical if a sender claims to have accidentally overpaid you through Zelle and requests a refund of the excess amount. Scammers use this tactic to trick you into sending them money.
• Suspicious Links
  If you receive a payment app-related message that contains a link, never click it. Scammers often send links to fake login pages to steal your username and password.
• Pressure and Urgency
  Scammers attempt to trick you by creating a sense of urgency. If they mention unforeseen emergencies, unverified transactions, account suspension, or unsolicited prize winnings, it’s a scam.

For more information about phishing scams and how to stop fraudsters in their tracks, visit www.BanksNeverAskThat.com.