We want to empower you to spot the latest scams and know fraud when you see it. By educating yourself on common scam tactics, you can help protect yourself and your money.Recognizing these common signs of a scam could help you avoid falling for one.
1. Scammers often PRETEND to be from an organization you know, such as your bank.
They may pretend to be an employee of the organization and use a real company name, such as Blackhawk Bank, the IRS, or another business you recognize, like a utility company or even a charity. They may ask you to provide personal information or to transfer money by phone, text or email and they often use technology to change the phone number that appears on your caller ID, so the name and number you see may not be real.
2. Scammers often say there’s a PROBLEM or a PRIZE.
They may say that you owe money, that there’s a virus on your computer, or even that you won the lottery. Bank scammers may say that they noticed suspicious activity on your account, or that there’s a problem with one of your accounts and that you need to verify some information or do something to fix the issue. For example, scammers can send fake text messages saying your debit card is locked and you need to enter your 16-digit card number to unlock it. They may even ask you to send money to yourself using your mobile banking app, or via an online wire transfer to fix any “suspicious” activity.
3. Scammers PRESSURE you to act immediately.
Scammers want you to act before you have time to think. If you’re on the phone, they might tell you not to hang up or they may say your computer is about to be corrupted.
Resist the pressure to act immediately. Legitimate businesses will give you time to decide. Anyone who pressures you to pay or give them your personal information is a scammer.
It’s imperative to remember that Blackhawk Bank will never initiate a call, email or text message and ask for sensitive, personal identifying information. If you are ever unsure of the authenticity of a call, text or email: disconnect the call and contact our Client Services department directly at 608.364.8924 or visit your favorite Blackhawk Bank location.
Tips to remember if you suspect that you've received a fraudulent text, phone call or email that appears to be from Blackhawk Bank:
DO:
- Do call our Client Services department directly at 608.364.8924 or visit your favorite Blackhawk Bank location.
- Do disconnect the call or delete the email or text message.
DO NOT:
- Do NOT respond
- Do NOT click on any links
- Do NOT share any personal identifying information
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Author:Sara Porter
VP Digital Solutions