The American Bankers Association (ABA) and The Independent Community Bankers of America (ICBA) have created the #BanksNeverAskThat campaign, an industry-wide campaign to educate consumers about the persistent threat of phishing scams. With the help of more than 1,500 banks from across the country, we're turning the tables on bad guy by empowering consumers with the tools they need to spot bogus bank communications.
- Scammers use email or text messages to trick you into giving them your personal information.
- They may try to steal your passwords, account numbers, or Social Security numbers. If they get that information, they could gain access to your email, bank, or other accounts.
- Scammers launch thousands of phishing attacks like these every day — and they’re often successful.
- Scammers often update their tactics, but there are some signs that will help you recognize a phishing email or text message.
- Customers lost $3.3 billion to phishing and other fraud in 2020.
Protecting Yourself from Phishing Attacks
Hackers are clever and are always innovating new ways to breach cybersecurity defenses, so no single tactic is likely to afford 100% protection. But organizations can do a lot from a policy, procedures and training perspective to be more aware of phishing and how it works.
3 common ways people get phished !
- Email - Watch for any email that asks you to click a suspicious link or provide personal information. Banks don't ask that.
- Text Message - Your bank will never ask you to give personal information via text message.
- Phone Calls - If you didn't expect a phone call from the bank, it could be a scam. Don't provide any personal information, just hang up and call the bank yourself.
Scammers often update their tactics, but there are some signs that will help you recognize a phishing email or text.
Phishing emails and text messages may look like they’re from a company you know or trust. They may look like they’re from a bank, a credit card company, a social networking site, an online payment website or app, or an online store.
Phishing emails and text messages often tell a story to trick you into clicking on a link or opening an attachment.
- They may say they’ve noticed some suspicious activity or log-in attempt
- claim there’s a problem with your account or your payment information
- say you must confirm some personal information
- include a fake invoice
- want you to click on a link to make a payment
- say you’re eligible to register for agovernment refund
- offer a coupon for free stuff
If You Suspect A Phishing Attack
If you get an email or a text message that asks you to click on a link or open an attachment, answer this question: Do I have an account with the company or know the person that contacted me?
- If the answer is "No" it could be a phishing scam, review the message without clicking any links, if not recognized report the message and delete it.
- If the answer is "Yes", contact the company using their company website or phone number. Not by clicking the links inside of the email or text message.
- If you get a phishing email or text message, report it. This information can be used to help fight scammers.
For more tips on how to keep phishing criminals at bay, including videos, an interactive quiz and more, visit BanksNeverAskThat.com and be sure to share the webpage with your friends and family
If you suspect fraud on your account, please reach out to your local NCB branch or call 202.546.8000 immediately.
