We’re back, but our goal is the same: to help keep you safe from criminal predators.
Regions Bank is once again joining with banks nationwide in the American Bankers Association’s #BanksNeverAskThat campaign. It’s all part of a month-long focus to educate everyone on online safety.
Let’s help each other by learning to recognize the signs of a phishing scam. Remember, #BanksNeverAskThat for a reason.
“You can stay ahead of the fraudsters and protect yourself by learning how to spot a scam,” said Kimberly Reece, Financial Crimes Customer Advocacy Manager for Regions Bank. “It’s also important to educate your loved ones about these common red flags, particularly when it comes to keeping teens or the elderly safe.”
The best way to do that is to act now to protect your hard-earned cash against phishing scams. The key is recognizing the telltale signs of a phishing scheme, which can come in numerous forms – including through emails, phone calls and text messages.
You can stay ahead of the fraudsters and protect yourself by learning how to spot a scam. It’s also important to educate your loved ones about these common red flags, particularly when it comes to keeping teens or the elderly safe.Kimberly Reece, Financial Crimes Customer Advocacy Manager for Regions Bank
Phishing is big business, producing $16 billion in losses from Americans in 2024, a substantial increase over the year before according to the ABA.
So, what’s your best response?
“At Regions, we are committed to financial education and our efforts to keep our clients, associates and friends informed about fraud are foundational to that promise,” said Jeff Taylor, head of Commercial Fraud Forensics. “National efforts like #banksneveraskthat emphasize an effective and consistent message.”
Get scam smart by recognizing these signs from the ABA.
At Regions, we are committed to financial education and our efforts to keep our clients, associates and friends informed about fraud are foundational to that promise. Jeff Taylor, head of Commercial Fraud Forensics
Email Scams
- Unusual Email Address – Slow it down. Does that look like an email address your bank would use? Be wary of unexpected emails from addresses that aren’t like the ones your bank typically employs.
- Misspelled Words – Spot check! If you see misspelled words or odd grammar, they are all clear signs of an impersonator. Real banks use spell check.
- Scare Tactics – Don’t panic. If an email uses scare tactics, such as urgent warnings of account closure or security breaches, you can safely assume it’s a scam.
- Suspicious URLs –Hold up! Banks will never ask you to log in via email. Phishing emails use deceptive URLs to take you to malicious websites. Never click links that you weren’t expecting.
- Unexpected Attachments – Something’s phishy, because real banks will never send an email attachment – especially when you didn’t ask for it. Attachments can contain malware that can compromise your computer or personal information. Never click on attachments from emails supposedly from your bank.
Text Scams
- Strange Phone Numbers – Slow it down. Is that the number your bank usually uses to send text messages? Legit text message updates come from “short codes,” official 4-5 digit numbers used by your bank.
- Urgent Warnings or Requests – Take a breath. Phishing texts try to create a sense of panic, such as threatening to suspend your account or urging you to log in to verify. Real bank texts won’t.
- Odd Grammar or Spelling Mistakes – Spot check! If you see misspelled words or odd grammar, they are all clear signs of an impersonator. Real banks use spell check.
- Requests for Personal Information – If a text message requests personal or sensitive information, such as account numbers, PINs, passwords or social security numbers, you can assume it’s a scam.
- Suspicious Links – Banks rarely, if ever, send links via text. Don’t click them. Instead, verify the message by visiting your bank’s official website, or calling the number on the back of your card.
Phone Scams
- Unusual Caller ID – While caller ID can be spoofed, legitimate calls from your bank are more likely to display an official phone number or a known identifier. If not, be very skeptical.
- Scare Tactics or Threats – Phishing calls rely on a sense of urgency. If the caller pressures you into immediate action or threatens negative consequences, just hang up and call the number on the back of your bank card.
- Asking for Personal Information – Banks will rarely ask for your account number, PIN, or password during a phone call – and will never ask for a one-time login code. Never share such confidential details unless you’ve called the number on the back of your bank card.
- Calling you unexpectedly – Be very skeptical of calls you receive out of the blue. Normally, bank representatives will only reach out if you initiate contact first. Stay safe by ending the call and dialing the number on the back of your bank card.
Payment App Scams
- Unexpected Requests – Be cautious if you receive unexpected requests from strangers or organizations asking you to send money through a payment app. This is a scammer move.
- Sending Money to Yourself – If someone who claims to be your bank says you have to send money to yourself, you can be 100 percent certain it’s a scam. Banks never ask that.
- Overpayment Claims – Be skeptical if a sender claims to have accidentally overpaid you through a pay app and requests a refund of the excess amount. Scammers use this tactic to trick you into sending them money.
- Suspicious Links – If you receive a payment app-related message that contains a link, never click it. Scammers often send links to fake login pages to steal your username and password.
- Pressure and Urgency – Scammers attempt to trick you by creating a sense of urgency. If they mention unforeseen emergencies, unverified transactions, account suspension, or unsolicited prize winnings, it’s a scam.
Join Regions and the ABA throughout the month of October and learn to spot the red flags of phishing. Print or bookmark these tips for reference the next time you think something’s phishy. And share tips with friends, family and co-workers. By sharing this education, we can help those we care about stay safe.
Never forget: #BanksNeverAskThat.
Additional Resources from Regions.com
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The information presented is general in nature and should not be considered, legal, accounting or tax advice. Regions reminds its customers that they should be vigilant about fraud and security and that they are responsible for taking action to protect their computer systems. Fraud prevention requires a continuous review of your policies and practices, as the threat evolves daily. There is no guarantee that all fraudulent transactions will be prevented or that related financial losses will not occur. Visit regions.com/STOPFRAUD or speak with your Banker for further information on how you can help prevent fraud.