Protect Yourself From Bank Phone Call and Text Scams
In today’s digital age, phone scammers are becoming increasingly sophisticated. One of the most prevalent tactics used by phone scammers is spoofing, a cybercrime where an attacker disguises themselves as a trusted source to gain a victim's trust and access to sensitive information.
Don’t be a victim of phone scams! Follow the recommendations below to prevent phone scammers and fraudsters from stealing your personal information.
How They Work
Scammers use spoofing when calling to make their phone number appear as if it’s coming from your bank. They often create a sense of urgency by claiming there is suspicious activity on your account prompting you to act quickly. Once they have your attention, they will ask for your account number, PIN, passwords, or other personal details to gain access to your finances.
If they contact you via text, they will most likely send a message that creates a sense of urgency, prompting you to click the link provided to login to your bank account to resolve the fictitious issue.
Common Phone Scams
- Fraudulent Charge Alert – A call or text claiming that there is a large, unauthorized charge on your card that requires verification in order to prevent further transactions.
- Account Suspension Warning – A notification that your account is being temporarily suspended due to suspicious activity. Immediate verification is requested.
- Security Update Request – A call or text requesting your personal information to update the system and verify your identity.
Protect Yourself
Don’t rely on caller ID: Always verify a caller’s organization. If you believe you are being scammed, hang up and call your bank using the phone number listed on their website.
Be cautious about high pressure tactics: If someone is trying to rush you into giving information, it’s probably a scam.
Don’t share personal information over the phone: Centennial Bank staff will never call you and ask for your PIN, password, or a one-time access code.
Do NOT click links: If you receive a text that appears to be from Centennial Bank, do not click on a link or reply. If you suspect there is an issue with your account, call us.
Monitor your account activity daily: Login to your Centennial Bank account regularly and review your transactions. If you believe there are fraudulent charges from your debit card, utilize the functions within our app to restrict additional transactions and contact us immediately. If your debit card number has been compromised due to fraud, we will issue you a new one that day.
Have You Spotted A Scam?
If a phone scammer calls or texts you, please call us immediately at (731) 669-3900. Your report can help stop scammers.
Share as much information as you can, including:
- Date and time of the call/text
- Person and department the scammer used
- What they wanted you to do, pay or share (including amounts)
- The exact number that showed up on your Caller ID