It can happen at any time.
Be on the look out.
Artisans' Bank cares about your security. That's why we have teamed up with the American Bankers Association to help consumers identify phishing scams.
ABA’s #BanksNeverAskThat anti-phishing campaign helps consumers beat scammers at their own game.
Don't Let It Happen To You!
Every day, thousands of people fall victim to fraudulent emails, texts and calls from scammers pretending to be their bank. We want to change that by raising awareness among banks and their customers of best practices for phishing defense.
SCAM ALERT! Have you heard about the fast-growing scam known as "Pig Butchering"?
Beware! This is how it works:
- Perpetrators will contact you out of nowhere via text messages, dating apps, social media platforms, and later switch to VOIP chat applications.
- Perpetrators will try to develop meaningful relationships with you, gain your trust, and offer you high-yield investment opportunities in virtual assets, such as cryptocurrency.
- Perpetrators will tell you to open accounts on online investment websites and instruct you to deposit money via wire transfer to shell companies, or direct transfers on legitimate virtual asset service providers (VASPs) or cryptocurrency exchanges.
- Perpetrators will pressure you to invest more money, or your relationship with them will end.
- You can be duped and the fraud will end: When you attempt to withdraw money, websites may demand that you pay additional fees to do so; or you may be locked out of the account and never hear back from the perpetrator. Perpetrators disappear with all of your funds.
Learn more about this crime along with other ongoing cybercrime threats at FDIC-OIG.
Pro Tips to help spot scams
- Banks will never ask for your PIN or Password over the phone, by email, or by text.
- Banks will never ask for your account number over the phone, by email, or by text.
- Banks will never ask for your Social Security number over the phone, by email, or by text.
- Banks will never ask you to click on a suspicious link.
- If you get an email, text, or phone call asking you to call a number, DON'T call it. Call instead the number on your bank-issued card.
- Beware of scare tactics. Your bank will never pressure or threaten you to contact them.
- Watch for misspelled words. This is often a giveaway of a scam.
For more information, including interactive games to test your ability to spot scams, go to BanksNeverAskThat.com.
Common Types of Digital Fraud
Phishing is an attempt to gain information such as usernames, passwords and credit card details by masquerading as a trustworthy entity by email. This is one of the primary methods a fraudster will use to compromise your personal information. The email will cite an invented scenario which requires haste and includes dire consequences if requests aren't complied with in a short time period. The scenario will either persuade you to divulge sensitive information, send money to an unknown party or click a link that will initiate viruses that give criminals access to your computer.
Cryptocurrency - From the widely popular Bitcoin to the meme-inspired Dogecoin, the process of purchasing and selling cryptocurrency has become increasingly accessible. However, this newfound accessibility also brings with it significant risks and potential dangers, including market volatility, security vulnerabilities, and the potential for fraudulent activities. Therefore, it's crucial for individuals to exercise caution and thoroughly educate themselves before engaging in cryptocurrency transactions.
Dangers and risks associated with cryptocurrencies include:
- Cybertheft: Financial losses from theft is often untraceable and unrecoverable.
- Hackers: Scams and security breaches can result in financial losses and personal information exposure.
- Decentralization: While secure, the complexity of using and storing crypto assets can be hazardous.
- Regulatory Uncertainty: The lack of clear regulations poses risks.
- Extreme Volatility: Prices can swing significantly over short periods.
- Losing Access to Wallets: Losing private keys can result in loss of funds.
- Market Manipulation: Crypto may be susceptible to manipulation.
Smishing is similar to phishing, but carried out via text messages. Cell Phones and other portable devices are targeted as primary channels for transmitting viruses and other methods of stealing your personal information.
Vishing is the same as phishing, but carried out over the phone. You may either get a direct phone call from a fraudster falsely representing an organization or individual or you could receive an email, letter or voicemail with a return phone number. To protect yourself, contact the organization or individual using the phone number that is publicly listed. Never respond directly to the number presented. Artisans' Bank will never ask you to disclose or confirm your password, PIN, or full Social Security Number.
Pharming/Spoofing is the act of redirecting a legitimate URL to a fake website in order to gain access to the personal information of a large number of people. If the website layout, content or colors look different than you are used to seeing or there are many spelling and grammatical errors you may be a victim of pharming. Do not enter your user name and password until you are able to independently confirm that the website is legitimate.
Romance Scams
Millions of people use online dating apps or social networking sites to meet someone. But instead of finding romance, many find a scammer trying to trick them into sending money.
Romance scammers adjust their story to what they think will work in each situation.
- Scammers say they can’t meet you in person. They might say they’re living or traveling outside the country, working on an oil rig, in the military, or working with an international organization.
- Scammers will ask you for money. Once they gain your trust, they’ll ask for your help to pay medical expenses (for them or a family member), buy their ticket to visit you, pay for their visa, or help them pay fees to get them out of trouble. They may even offer to help you get started in cryptocurrency investing.
- Scammers will tell you how to pay. All scammers, not just romance scammers, want to get your money quickly. And they want your money in a way that makes it hard for you to get it back. They’ll tell you to wire money through a company like Western Union or MoneyGram, put money on gift cards (like Amazon, Google Play, iTunes, or Steam) and give them the PIN codes, send money through a money transfer app, or transfer cryptocurrency.
Reporting Fraud or Identity Theft
If you believe you have been the victim of identity theft, or need to report fraud, visit our security center tab for more information on what to do and steps to take.
Security Center
Artisans' Bank provides you much information about how to protect your accounts, including:
- Reporting Fraud
- Lost or Stolen ATM or Check Cards
- Identity Theft
- ATM Security
- Mobile Device Security
- and much more
Your Cybersecurity Is Our Priority!
Hackers and cyber attackers are finding new ways to creep into your accounts and life, we make it a priority to stay ahead of the curve to keep you and your finances safe.