Winter Security Tips: Put Holiday Scammers on the Naughty List!
As you prepare to celebrate with your loved ones this season, keep these digital banking safety tips in mind so your holidays stay merry and bright and free from fraud and scams.
General tips to keep your holidays jolly and scam-free!
Don't be fooled by imposters. Be cautious of anyone you don't know asking you for personal or account information over the phone, in response to an email or through a text message.
Don't fall prey to pressure. Be suspicious when there is a sense of urgency from anyone calling and asking for money. Hang up and call the company with a number verified by another source like a bill.
Don’t get tricked to click. Never click links in suspicious emails or social ads. Don’t download attachments from someone you don't know. Clicking links or downloading attachments can deliver malware, which can help scammers steal your identity.
Phishing scams like these might not always be obvious. They can be official-looking emails, text messages or social ads meant to trick you into giving out personal or financial information. Because these appear to be from Village Bank or known companies, they can be very effective in tricking you into sharing information.
Utility scams are on the rise!
It isn’t likely that scammers will stop trying to find ways to steal your personal information, not even during the most wonderful time of the year. That’s why it’s so important to stay aware of how they operate.
These scammers will call you pretending to be a service provider such as an electric or gas company and attempt to pressure you into sending a payment to avoid having your service turned off. These scams can appear very real and are effective because the urgent tone may pressure you into acting quickly.
Companies will not call you to ask for payment. Utility companies will first reach out by mail or email, not over the phone. They won’t call and pressure you to make an immediate payment or lose service.
Do not rely on caller ID. Scammers have sophisticated spoofing tools that can trick caller IDs and make it seem like they’re calling from legitimate companies.
Don’t be afraid to hang up. If anyone calls pressuring you to send payment, do not provide any information. Hang up and contact your utility or service provider directly using a number from your statement.
Keep your bank accounts safe this holiday season.
Shop safely, shop consciously! Only use trusted, secure websites when shopping online or with your mobile.
Traveling far for the holidays? Take a quick moment to notify us of your travel plans so that your debit cards are not flagged for possible fraudulent activity and usage is not interrupted.
Monitor your bank account activity and debit card usage carefully during this season and keep your holidays merry and bright. Report any suspicious activity immediately.
Make sure to reach out to Village Bank if you have any questions today!