Every day, thousands of people fall victim to fraudulent emails, texts and calls from scammers pretending to be their bank. And in this time of expanded use of online and mobile banking, the problem is only growing worse. In fact, the Federal Trade Commission’s report on fraud estimates that American consumers lost a staggering $10 billion to phishing scams and other fraud in 2023—an increase of 13.6% over 2022.

It’s time to put scammers in their place.

Online scams aren’t so scary when you know what to look for. And at Firstrust Bank we’re committed to helping you spot them as an extra layer of protection for your account. We’ve joined with the American Bankers Association and banks across the country in a nationwide effort to fight phishing—one scam at a time.

We want every bank customer to become a pro at spotting a phishing scam—and stop bank impostors in their tracks. It starts with these four words: Banks Never Ask That. Because when you know something sounds suspicious, you’ll be less likely to be fooled.

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These four phishing scams are full of red flags:
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• Text Message: If you receive a text message from someone claiming to be your bank asking you to sign in, or offer up your personal information, it’s a scam. Banks Never Ask That. Common red flags in texts include a sense of urgency telling you to act immediately, having a generic greeting and not using your name, and prompting you to click on a link that looks suspicious or unfamiliar.

• Email: Watch out for emails that ask you to click a suspicious link or provide personal information. The sender may claim to be someone from your bank, but it’s a scam. Banks Never Ask That. Common red flags in emails include poor spelling and grammar or awkward phrasing, strange email addresses that resemble your bank’s but have subtle differences, and unsolicited attachments that may contain malware.

• Phone Call: Would your bank ever call you to verify your account number? No! Banks Never Ask That. If you’re ever in doubt that the caller is legitimate, just hang up and call the bank directly at a number you trust. Common red flags in phone calls include manipulating caller ID so it appears the call is from your bank, pressuring you to act quickly, and requests for unusual information that you wouldn’t normally provide over the phone.

• Payment Apps: Beware of text messages from someone claiming to be your bank saying your account has been hacked. The scammer may ask you to send money to a new account they’ve created for you, but that’s a scam! Banks Never Ask That. Common red flags in payment apps include emotional manipulation claiming you’ll lose money if you don’t act fast, requesting you send money to an unfamiliar or newly created account, and the message comes from an unusual communications channel rather than a standard bank communication – be cautious and aware.

You’ve probably seen some of these scams before. But that doesn’t stop a scammer from trying.

For tips, videos and an interactive quiz to help you keep phishing criminals at bay, visit www.BanksNeverAskThat.com. And be sure to share the webpage with your friends and family.