Fraud Prevention

How does it work?

A scammer promises you something valuable, such as a loan, prize, inheritance, or help recovering money you lost, but says you must pay a fee first. The payment may be described as taxes, insurance, processing costs, or legal fees. After you pay, the promised money never arrives, and the scammer may invent additional charges to keep you paying.

How can I protect myself from it?

Do not pay someone who unexpectedly contacts you to release a prize or inheritance or recover money lost to a scam. Research the organization independently and verify any offer through contact information you find yourself. Be cautious of guaranteed loan approval in exchange for an upfront payment. Legitimate lenders may charge disclosed application or appraisal fees, but paying a fee does not guarantee approval. Requests for gift cards, cryptocurrency, or payments to an individual are additional warning signs.

How does it work?

Scammers impersonate a real estate agent, title company, attorney, or other trusted contact to send fraudulent payment instructions. They may take over an email account and join an existing conversation, making the request appear authentic. Often, the message arrives shortly before a closing or other large payment and claims the destination account has changed. Money sent using those instructions goes to the scammer.

How can I protect myself from it?

Before sending a wire, confirm the recipient and account details in person or by calling a trusted contact at a number established independently in advance. Do this even if the instructions arrive in a familiar email thread. Treat last-minute changes as a reason to stop and verify, and do not use a phone number supplied in the message announcing the change. If you suspect you sent money to the wrong account, contact your bank immediately and ask whether the transfer can be stopped or recalled.

How does it work?

A pop-up, phone call, or message claims your device has a virus or your account has been compromised. The scammer poses as a well-known technology company and asks you to call a support number, pay for a repair, or install software that gives them remote access. Once connected, they may steal information or convince you to log in to your bank account and move money.

How can I protect myself from it?

Do not call numbers in unexpected security pop-ups or give remote access to someone who contacts you unsolicited. Close the warning and seek help through the company's official support channels or a technician you trust. Keep your operating system and security software updated. If you already allowed access, disconnect the device from the internet and get trusted technical help. Use a different, trusted device to change affected passwords, and contact your bank immediately if financial information or accounts may be exposed.

How does it work?

Smishing is phishing through text messages. Scammers may claim you owe a toll, missed a package delivery, or need to resolve suspicious bank activity. A link leads to a fake website, or a phone number connects you to someone posing as customer service. Other messages begin with a supposed wrong number and develop into a conversation designed to gain your trust.

How can I protect myself from it?

Do not click links, call numbers, or reply to suspicious texts. Check any claimed problem through the organization's official app, website, or a phone number you already trust. Never send personal information or security codes in response to an unexpected text. Use your phone's report-junk option, then block the sender and delete the message. If you already shared information or sent money, contact the affected financial institution promptly.

How does it work?

A fraudulent QR code can take you to a fake payment or login page that steals your money or information. Scammers may place their own code over a legitimate one on a parking meter or sign, or send a code in a message about a delivery or account problem. The destination may look convincing even though it belongs to a scammer.

How can I protect myself from it?

Check for stickers or other signs that a displayed QR code has been replaced, and review the destination address before opening it. Avoid scanning codes in unexpected messages, especially when they demand immediate action. If you are unsure, use the organization's official app or visit its known website directly. Do not enter payment details or login credentials until you have verified where the code leads, and keep your phone's software updated.

How does it work?

Scammers use person-to-person payment services to request money while pretending to be a friend, seller, or customer support representative. They may claim a payment is needed to claim a prize, handle an emergency, or correct an account problem. Because these payments can move quickly, money sent to a scammer may be difficult to recover.

How can I protect myself from it?

Use person-to-person payments with people you know and trust, and verify unexpected requests by calling the person through a number you already have. Double-check the recipient before sending money and review the service's protections before using it for purchases. Do not share login credentials or security codes with someone claiming to provide support. If you receive an unfamiliar payment or a request to return money, contact the service through its official app or website for help instead of sending a separate payment on someone's instructions.

How does it work?

Scammers create fake shopping websites, ads, or marketplace listings for products that do not exist or are misrepresented. They may advertise unusually low prices, copy a familiar brand, or pressure you to pay before someone else buys the item. After payment, you may receive nothing, a counterfeit item, or something very different from what was advertised. Marketplace sellers can also be targeted with fake payment notices.

How can I protect myself from it?

Research the seller using multiple sources, read return policies, and treat reviews and profile history as clues rather than proof. For shipped purchases, use a credit card when possible and keep communication and payment within a platform that offers applicable purchase protection. Avoid sellers who insist on gift cards, cryptocurrency, or a wire transfer. For local sales, inspect the item and meet in a safe public place during daylight, preferably with someone you trust. If you are selling, verify payment in your actual account rather than relying on an email or screenshot.

How does it work?

Investment scammers promise unusually high returns with little or no risk. They may promote stocks, real estate, cryptocurrency, or exclusive opportunities through social media, group chats, or personal referrals. Some impersonate licensed professionals and use fake testimonials or account statements to make an investment appear successful. Pressure to invest quickly or send money to a personal account can be a warning sign.

How can I protect myself from it?

Take time to understand the investment, its risks, and how you would access your money. Check the professional's registration and disciplinary history through Investor.gov, and independently confirm that you are speaking with the actual person or firm listed. Do not rely on screenshots, celebrity endorsements, or a friend's recommendation as proof of legitimacy. Be skeptical of guaranteed high returns and demands for secrecy or immediate payment. Never send additional money to a suspicious investment platform to release supposed profits.

How does it work?

Scammers take advantage of your desire to help by posing as charities or creating fake fundraisers after disasters, during the holidays, or in response to a personal tragedy. They may copy a real organization's name, use emotional photos, or pressure you to donate immediately. The money may go to the scammer instead of the people or cause you intended to support.

How can I protect myself from it?

Take time to research the charity and how it uses donations. Visit its official website directly and check information from independent charity evaluators. For a personal fundraiser, verify who organized it and who will receive the money. Be cautious if someone insists on gift cards, cryptocurrency, or a wire transfer. When possible, donate by credit card, keep a receipt, and review your statements for unauthorized or recurring charges.

How does it work?

Scammers pretend to represent your bank, law enforcement, or a government agency. They may claim your account is compromised, you owe money, or you face arrest unless you act immediately. They can fake caller ID information and may already know personal details about you. Some direct you to transfer money to a supposed safe account, withdraw cash for a courier, or use a cryptocurrency ATM.

How can I protect myself from it?

End the conversation and contact the organization using a number from your bank card, statement, or its official website. Do not rely on caller ID or contact information supplied by the caller. Never share your online banking password, PIN, or one-time security code with someone who contacts you unexpectedly. Do not move money, hand over cash, or buy cryptocurrency to protect an account at a caller's direction. A request to keep the transaction secret from your bank or family is a serious warning sign.

How does it work?

Fake recruiters advertise remote jobs, mystery shopping assignments, or influencer and brand ambassador opportunities to steal money or personal information. They may ask you to pay for training, deposit a check to buy equipment from a designated vendor, or provide banking details before you can verify the job. In task scams, an app displays earnings for simple activities, then requires you to deposit your own money to continue working or withdraw your supposed pay.

How can I protect myself from it?

Confirm the opening through the employer's official website and contact the company using information you find independently. Do not pay a recruiter to secure a job or deposit money to unlock earnings. Never use a check from a supposed employer to send money to another person or buy gift cards. Provide payroll or identity information only after verifying the employer and hiring process. Decline jobs that require you to receive and forward money through your personal bank account.

How does it work?

Criminals can install hidden devices on ATMs, gas pumps, or other payment terminals to capture card information. These devices, called skimmers, may be paired with a tiny camera or false keypad that records your PIN. Someone nearby may also watch as you enter your PIN or try to distract you while you use the machine.

How can I protect myself from it?

Choose an ATM in a well-lit location and pay attention to your surroundings. Before inserting your card, look for loose parts, unusual attachments, or signs of tampering. If something looks wrong or you feel unsafe, use another ATM and report the concern to its owner. Cover the keypad when entering your PIN, decline help from strangers, and put away your card and cash before leaving. Review account activity regularly and report unfamiliar transactions to your bank promptly.

How does it work?

Scammers create copycat accounts that imitate friends, businesses, or public figures, and may also take over real accounts. They send messages about fake giveaways, account problems, or paid services promising more followers. You may be asked to enter payment information, sign in through a suspicious link, or share a verification code that lets the scammer take over your account.

How can I protect myself from it?

Verify unusual messages through a separate, trusted contact method. Visit a business's official website to find its social media accounts and confirm promotions. Do not pay to claim a giveaway prize or share passwords and security codes with someone messaging you. Avoid signing up for follower services through unsolicited messages. A familiar photo, large follower count, or long account history does not guarantee legitimacy. Limit public access to personal information, enable multifactor authentication, and report impersonation accounts to the platform.

How does it work?

Social engineering uses trust, fear, or urgency to persuade you to share information or send money. Scammers may research your family, workplace, or social media activity to make a story believable. Some use artificial intelligence to imitate a person's voice or create convincing images and videos. A caller who sounds like a loved one may claim to need immediate help with an arrest, accident, or medical emergency.

How can I protect myself from it?

Pause before responding to an urgent request, even if the voice or face seems familiar. Contact the person through a number you already know, or reach another trusted person who can verify the situation. Consider agreeing on a private family code word for emergencies, while continuing to verify requests independently. Limit personal information you post publicly, and do not assume a message is genuine because it is well written or includes accurate details about you. Refuse instructions to keep payments secret.

How does it work?

Scammers use cryptocurrency in fake investments, impersonation schemes, and requests for payment. Someone you meet online may build your trust, then direct you to a fake trading platform that displays invented profits. When you try to withdraw money, you are told to pay additional taxes or fees. Other scammers claim you must deposit cash into a Bitcoin ATM to protect your bank account. The money goes to a wallet the scammer controls.

How can I protect myself from it?

Do not buy or send cryptocurrency because of an unexpected call, message, or online relationship. Never use a Bitcoin ATM at someone's direction to fix an account problem or safeguard your money. Independently research any investment and the people offering it; convincing websites, account balances, and testimonials can be fabricated. Stop sending money if a platform demands extra payments to release your funds, and be wary of anyone who promises to recover lost cryptocurrency for an upfront fee.

How does it work?

Romance scammers create fake identities on dating sites or social media and build relationships over time. Once they gain your trust, they ask for money for travel, medical bills, or another urgent need. Some introduce a supposed investment opportunity or ask to use your bank account to receive and forward funds. Those funds may be stolen from other victims, putting your money and account at risk.

How can I protect myself from it?

Do not send money or invest at the direction of someone you know only online. Never share banking credentials or use your account to move money for an online romantic partner. Talk with someone you trust before acting on a financial request, especially if you are asked to keep it secret. A reverse image search may expose a stolen profile photo, but a clean search or convincing video call does not prove someone's identity. Repeated excuses for not meeting and increasingly urgent requests for money are warning signs.

How does it work?

Phishing emails impersonate trusted organizations to trick you into opening an attachment, following a link, or sharing personal information. Messages may claim your account is locked or a payment needs attention. The link can lead to a copied login page that steals your credentials. A related tactic, pharming, uses malicious software or tampered internet settings to redirect you to a fake website, even when you try to reach a legitimate one.

How can I protect myself from it?

Avoid links and attachments in unexpected messages. Open the organization's official app or enter its known website address yourself, and contact it independently if you are unsure. Check the full web address before signing in, keep your devices and security software updated, and use multifactor authentication. A padlock or https means a connection is encrypted; it does not prove the website is legitimate. Southside Bank will never send an unsolicited email asking you to verify personal information.

How does it work?

Older adults may face scams from strangers or financial exploitation by someone they know, including a caregiver, friend, or relative. Exploitation can involve stealing money, misusing account access, or pressuring someone to change financial documents. Warning signs include unexplained withdrawals, unpaid bills, missing belongings, sudden changes in beneficiaries, or a person who isolates the older adult and controls financial decisions.

How can I protect myself from it?

Keep financial records secure and review accounts regularly. Take time before signing documents or giving anyone authority over your money, and seek independent advice when you need it. Ask your financial institution about alerts and options for involving a trusted contact without giving that person control of your account. If you are concerned about a loved one, talk with them respectfully and privately. Report suspected exploitation promptly to the financial institution and Adult Protective Services or local law enforcement; call 911 if someone is in immediate danger.

How does it work?

Check fraud can involve counterfeit checks, forged signatures, or stolen checks altered to change the payee or amount, sometimes called check washing. In an overpayment scam, a supposed buyer or employer sends a check for too much and asks you to return the difference or pay someone else. The check may appear in your available balance before the bank discovers it is fraudulent, leaving you responsible for money you sent or spent.

How can I protect myself from it?

Never deposit a check from an unfamiliar person and then send part of the money elsewhere. Tell your bank the full circumstances if you receive a suspicious check. Available funds do not prove a check is legitimate, and there is no simple three-to-five-day waiting period that makes an unfamiliar check safe; fraudulent checks can take weeks to uncover.

Protect checks you write by securing your checkbook, using permanent black gel ink, and taking outgoing checks inside the post office. Consider electronic payments through a trusted provider when appropriate. Review your account and check images for changed amounts or payees, and report discrepancies promptly.

How does it work?

Identity theft happens when someone uses your personal information without permission to open accounts, make purchases, obtain services, or file a fraudulent tax return. Information may be stolen through scams, data breaches, compromised accounts, or stolen mail and documents. You may first notice unfamiliar charges, bills for accounts you did not open, or changes to your credit report.

How can I protect myself from it?

Use strong, unique passwords and enable multifactor authentication when available. Keep important documents secure, shred sensitive paperwork before discarding it, and limit the personal details you share publicly. Review account activity and check your credit reports regularly at AnnualCreditReport.com. Consider placing a free credit freeze with each of the three nationwide credit bureaus to help prevent new accounts from being opened in your name.

If you suspect identity theft, contact the affected financial institutions immediately and visit IdentityTheft.gov for reporting steps and a personalized recovery plan. Change compromised passwords from a device you trust. A credit freeze helps protect against new credit accounts but does not stop misuse of accounts you already have.