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Be aware of the latest scams and protect your money and personal information from potential scammers. Do you know how to spot these common scam tactics?

Compromised card scam

Scammers call claiming to be from your bank and say that your card has been compromised. They’ll attempt to send someone to your home to “secure” your account by destroying your card. Though they may seem to be legitimate, once they have possession of the card, they’ll use it to steal money from the account.

Rental property scam

Scammers advertise rental property that doesn’t exist or is already rented. These tactics include fake listings on legitimate platforms and the use of fake websites. An upfront payment is required, taking the potential renter’s money with no property in exchange.

Online shopping scam

Scammers deceive online shoppers by setting up fake websites or social media ads to offer eye-catching deals on popular items. They may impersonate a legitimate business or person but never deliver on the promised goods and services. Some websites may even use fake checkout processes, which can lead to buyers losing money or even becoming victims of identity theft.

Protect Yourself and Loved ones.

Verify phone calls
If you receive a call and aren’t sure if the company is legitimate or who you’re speaking with, hang up. Search for a verified number on the company website. If someone calls claiming to be from your bank and you feel uncomfortable, hang up and call the number on the back of your card before providing any personal or financial information.

Beware of urgency
Scammers notoriously apply pressure by saying your account is compromised, claiming they’ll cut off your services or threatening legal action. Take a pause and tell a trusted friend or family member about the situation before making any financial decisions.

Be cautious of upfront fees and guaranteed returns
If an opportunity seems too good to be true, it probably is. Look up reviews of the company to check its reputation and trustworthiness.

Don’t be pressured to pay with gift cards
Utility companies, banks, the IRS or any other government agency will never request payment in the form of a gift card. Don’t share the number on the back of the gift card with anyone you don’t know.

Whether or not you are a fan of the show, we urge you to watch this episode and learn more about a new scam called Pig Butchering. It's not what comes to mind first, it's where scammers message you "innocently" and then "fatten" you up and go for the money. Please watch.

S11 E02: Pig Butchering, Book Bans & Frozen Embryos: 02/25/24: Last Week Tonight with John Oliver John Oliver discusses a massive new internet scam, West Virginia’s attempt to ban books in schools, and the Alabama Supreme Court’s decision that frozen embr...

With peer-to-peer payments (P2P), you can transfer money to someone from your bank account, debit card, or credit card using a website or mobile app such as Zelle, Cash App, PayPal, or Venmo. P2P payments can also include your financial institution’s apps. While P2P payments are popular and convenient, understanding the risks can help you avoid becoming a victim of scams and fraud.

How do scams and fraud differ?
Fraud involves someone accessing your account without your permission and completing unauthorized transactions. A scam involves being tricked into authorizing a transaction or sending a payment. It’s important to remember the difference, as the same protections do not always apply to both.

Ways to protect yourself

Pay it safe: Since most P2P apps don’t allow you to cancel a transaction, treat payments like cash, and only send funds to those you know and trust.

Take your time: If someone is pushing you to act quickly with a P2P payment, it could be a red flag.

Use your security settings: Enable settings within the P2P applications, such as multifactor authentication (also known as two-factor authentication),

Let your financial institution help: Fraud alerts can automatically notify you of activity, and always contact your financial institution immediately if you suspect something is wrong.

Be aware of phishing: Fraudsters might try to access your account by posing as your financial institution or a P2P company. If someone calls you unexpectedly and claims to be from your financial institution, it is best to hang up and call your financial institution at the number printed on your statement rather than the number that called you.

Use unique passwords: Use different passwords for P2P apps and other sites, avoid sharing your passwords with others, and consider a password manager tool if you have trouble remembering passwords.

A common scam on Facebook Marketplace: You're selling something and someone contacts you and asks if it's still available and offer to buy it using a P2P company. This seems pretty normal, what's not normal is when said buyer claims they've sent the money after you've given them your email address that you use for your P2P and that you should have received an email, from the P2P. P2P WILL NOT EMAIL YOU. THEY DO NOT HAVE DIFFERENT TIERS. YOU WILL NEVER HAVE TO PAY TO GET YOUR MONEY. When you receive money via P2P it is your BANK that sends the email to you notifying you AND you should be able to open your bank app and see that money there. If not they are trying to scam you.

Many of our customers use payment apps, like Zelle®, to send money to friends and family. With the rise of digital payments and third-party payment apps, there’s also an increasing number of scammers trying to take advantage. We want you to be empowered to spot the latest scams and know fraud when you see it. Protect yourself—and your money.

Here’s what the latest scams look like:


Impersonating a banking associate
Scammers will try to pose as your bank and ask you to provide your personal information or even transfer money by phone, text or email. They might also use a fake caller ID that could show up as your bank or request remote access to your device.
TIP: When in doubt, hang up the phone and call them at the number listed on the back of your debit or credit card.

Pay yourself
Scammers may contact you impersonating an established individual or company and tell you that they have noticed suspicious activity, such as money being sent from your account to another account. They’ll ask you to send the money to yourself with Zelle® to reverse the payment.
TIP: NO bank will never ask you to do this. Before sending money to yourself at another bank or credit union, make sure the email address or U.S. mobile number you’re using to send the money has been enrolled with Zelle® at the other financial institution and is linked to your account. If you do not remember creating a Zelle® account at your other bank, more in likely you did not.

Attempting to gain remote access to your devices
An unknown company or person will request remote access to your phone or computer. They may also ask you to download an app to fix an “issue,” which would allow them remote access and could expose your account information.
TIP: Be careful when giving device access to third parties.

Fake websites
Legitimate-looking websites are being created by scammers, and a quick Google search will lead you to a real-looking phone number. When you call, they’ll try to obtain your sign-in details or other information.
TIP: Always do the proper research before making a purchase online. NEVER click a link in an email if the email did not originate from your banking institution.

Protect yourself and your family.

Neither Zelle® nor your bank offers a protection program for authorized payments—for example, if you buy an item with Zelle®, but you don’t receive it or it’s not what you expected. If this happens, you may not get your money back, so only use Zelle® and third-party payment apps to pay those you know and trust.

iPhone users update your phones!!

You should update your iPhone software right now. Here's why Apple, like other device makers, issues software updates all the time, but the latest one may be more critical than most.