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As a growing number of people manage their bank accounts online and via mobile apps, protecting personal information has become increasingly important. Scammers have become more sophisticated, and all they need is one stolen PIN or password to wreak havoc on your finances.

When scammers are successful, the results are often devastating. In 2023, U.S. consumers reported 2.6 million cases of fraud with a total of $10 billion lost¹. As of October 2024, that’s the highest loss figure on record, and the number is likely to only rise as new scams pop up.

The first step in fighting back is knowing what your bank will — and won’t — ask for in an outbound call, email or text message. Some baseline identifying information, such as your name or the last four digits of your Social Security number, may be requested. However, you will never be asked for:

• Your full Social Security number

• Your full account number

• Your full card number

• Your card PIN

• Your password

• Your digital banking one-time passcode

If you receive a call or message claiming to be from your bank that asks for this information, that should alarm you. Chances are high that you’re being targeted by a scammer, and providing these personal details is an open invitation to fraudulently access your accounts. Keep in mind that if you’re the one who initiates a call or message with your bank, you may be asked to provide slightly more detailed information, such as your full Social Security number.

There are other tell-tale signs that a message might be fraudulent. If it’s an email or text, check for misspellings, unusual links and attachments. Always hover over links you weren’t expecting before clicking. You can also expand the sender information to confirm who sent the message, and with texts, be sure to review the sender’s phone number, as the alert should be coming from a five-digit number rather than a complete phone number. Keep in mind that your bank won’t ask you to log in to your account via an emailed or texted link. Banks also don’t generally send attachments, particularly when you didn’t ask for something.

Scare tactics or a false sense of urgency are other common tactics in scam messages. If you feel you are being pressured to take immediate action, possibly due to a “security breach” or an “account closure,” take a step back before you take action. You can always follow up with your bank on your own and ask if there are any current issues that require attention.

Take steps to fight back

Beyond knowing how your bank will communicate with you and what they will and won’t ask for, you can take critical steps to deter scammers by using security controls on your devices. For example, there are a number of tools that can help screen fraudulent robocalls, including built-in features on your cell phone and third-party apps. You can also sign up for the National Do Not Call Registry² to block unwanted calls. When it comes to web browsing, it’s important to know if your connection is encrypted, particularly when using public Wi-Fi³.

Scammers are consistently evolving their methods and trying new ways to access information. It’s important to be aware of common scams in the marketplace today, but stay attuned to new schemes that may pop up. When in doubt, it’s a good idea to exercise caution if a communication seems suspicious. You can visit our security center for additional tips and resources to help keep your financial accounts safe or to make a report if you’re a Bremer customer and suspect fraudulent activity.