Don’t Get Lured In By These 4 Common Phishing Scams

With advancements in technology, scammers have become increasingly convincing with their schemes. Phishing attacks can be particularly deceiving since scammers will use common forms of communication to convince you to share personal information.

However, knowing and understanding these phishing scams is one of the most impactful ways to protect yourself (and your finances) from falling victim.

Here are 4 common scams to be aware of:

1. Text Message: You may want to think twice before responding to a text message from “your bank.” Scammers will text you and claim to be someone from your bank to lure personal information from you. Banks will not ask you to verify personal information over text.
2. Phone Call: If you receive a phone call from your bank asking you to verify your account number, online banking credentials, or an access code, it’s a scam. Banks will never ask you to give personal or financial information over the phone. If you’re unsure if a call is legitimate, hang up and call your bank directly at a number you trust.
3. Email: Scam emails can be filled with links to sites that try to steal your personal information. While the sender may claim to be someone from your bank, only log in through links and sites you know are legitimate.
4. Payment Apps: Payment apps may be convenient, but scams will also try to use them to get you to send money to scam accounts. It’s important to only send money to people you know and trust.

Even if these scams are familiar, remaining vigilant and informed is the best way to protect yourself from scams.

“Never provide account or personal information,” shares Russell Estrada, Vice President – Corporate Security and Fraud Prevention Officer for Southside Bank. “Contact your bank in a way you know to be legitimate, either online or by calling the phone number on your statement or debit card.”

Remember, you are the best line of defense when it comes to protecting your information. Taking preventative actions like these are one of the most effective ways to protect yourself from fraud.