At Regions Bank, we’re committed to educating our customers and the public about the latest in fraud prevention. We also want to make sure you know what steps to take if you’ve already been affected by a scam – because recovery matters just as much as prevention.
“No one is immune to fraud – even the smartest people can be deceived in the right moment,” said Kimberly Reece, Financial Crimes Customer Advocacy Manager for Regions Bank. “What matters most is acting quickly once you realized it’s happened. Every minute counts in protecting your money, your identity and your peace of mind.”
No one is immune to fraud – even the smartest people can be deceived in the right moment.
Kimberly Reece, Financial Crimes Customer Advocacy Manager for Regions Bank
Our team of Fraud Fighters has some simple tips on what to do after you become victim. Remember, the more information you can provide, the better chance law enforcement has of solving the crime and stopping the criminals going forward. Write down details immediately, from date of transaction to any email addresses that might have been used.
4 Steps to Take After the Scam
-
- Secure your finances – Contact your bank or credit card company immediately. Identify the fraud and ask them to help you.
- Freeze your credit – Notify the major credit care bureaus Equifax, Experian and TransUnion) that something may be amiss and you need a free security freeze.
- Change your account passwords immediately – Start with your bank account and credit card login. Then, change your email password because most often your email address will be tied to those finances.
- Report the incident to law enforcement –You may think it will be resolved regardless but reporting it to authorities helps them track the crime, potentially solve things and, most important of all, help the next unsuspecting victim. Consider contacting the following:
- Local law enforcement. Help your community by allowing locals to pursue criminals.
- Federal Trade Commission. Call 1-877-FTC-HELP or go online to the Online Complaint Assistant.
- Internet Crime Complaint Center. This is the central hub for reporting cyber-enabled crime and is run by the FBI.
- Better Business Bureau. Reporting to the BBB Scam Tracker helps the organization alert others about shady enterprises.
- Identitytheft.gov. If you think someone is using your identity to open new accounts or grab your tax refund, report it immediately. The federal government will help you create a report and a recovery plan.
“Realizing you are the victim of a crime can be painful and unsettling,” said Jeff Taylor, head of Commercial Fraud Forensics. “You feel violated and maybe even embarrassed. Following these steps and reporting the incident immediately may help recovery of your funds and peace of mind.”
Additional Resources from Regions.com
Related Articles from Doing More Today
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.