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Bank impersonator scams

What to know and how to avoid them

Bank impersonator scams are sophisticated schemes where criminals impersonate officials from banks or other financial institutions to deceive individuals into disclosing sensitive information or transferring money. These scams often involve phone calls, emails, or text messages designed to appear legitimate. This allows the fraudster to create a sense of urgency or fear to prompt quick action from the target. 

 In a typical bank impersonation scam, the fraudster might claim that there has been suspicious activity on the victim’s account and that immediate action is needed to secure their funds. They may request personal details, such as account numbers, passwords, or social security numbers, or instruct the victim to transfer money to a “safe” account controlled by the scammer. These scams exploit the trust and authority that people associate with banks, making them highly effective. 

To avoid falling victim to these scams, individuals should be aware of several key prevention strategies:  

  • Verify the source: Always verify the identity of the caller or sender. Contact your bank directly using the official phone number provided on your statement or the bank’s official website, not the one provided in the suspicious message. 
  •  Be skeptical of urgency: Scammers often create a sense of urgency to prompt quick action. If you receive a message claiming urgent action is required, take a moment to think and verify the information independently. 
  •  Do not share personal information: Never share personal information, such as passwords, PINs, or account details, over the phone or email. Banks typically do not request sensitive information in this manner. 
  • Use secure communication channels: Communicate with your bank through secure channels. Avoid clicking on links or downloading attachments from unsolicited emails or texts. 
  • Enable two-factor authentication (2FA): Enhance your account security by enabling 2FA, which provides an additional layer of protection by requiring a second form of verification. 

 By remaining vigilant and adopting these protective measures, you can significantly reduce the risk of falling prey to bank impersonator scams. 

Alpine Bank takes your financial security seriously, additional fraud and prevention resources can be found here. 

About This Author

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Ross Bentzler

Ross Bentzler is Executive VP and Information Security Officer for Alpine Bank. Ross has worked in the information technology field for two decades, focusing on information security for 13 years.

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