Creative Phone Scammers Have a New Technique: Caller ID Spoofing
If you ever get a call from someone claiming to be a representative at your bank, be skeptical, even if they have the right caller ID. Using “caller ID spoofing,” scammers can make it look like they’re calling from your bank’s phone number.
There have been more and more scams lately where bad guys are using information found online to call people—and then posing as their bank—they convince the victim to give up more information, like their code word for example.
How to Protect Yourself
Don’t trust caller ID or answer phone calls from unknown numbers. If you recognize the caller ID but the call seems suspicious, hang up. Nowadays phone numbers can so easily be spoofed to appear to be from a legitimate caller.
Don’t give out your information. Never provide any personally identifiable information, code words, card numbers, etc. Alpine Bank will never call you and ask for your code word or any personally identifiable information, like your social security number or code word.
Validate
One of the best ways to protect yourself is to ask the caller’s name and tell them you will call them back. Call the bank back on their official phone number and validate the request.
If You’re Scammed
Contact the bank immediately if you sense you’ve been the victim of a scam or suspected scam.
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