Impersonation Scams Are on the Rise. Here’s How to Stay Safe

Scammers are constantly finding new ways to trick people into sharing personal information or sending money. Recently, impersonation scams, especially phone “spoofing” scams, have been increasing across the banking industry.

In these scams, criminals pretend to be your bank or a fraud department representative. They may even make the call look legitimate by masking their phone number so it appears to come from your bank on caller ID.  It can feel convincing and that’s exactly the point.

How impersonation scams work
You might receive a call, text, or email saying there’s suspicious activity on your account. The caller may sound professional, confident, and helpful. They may even create urgency by saying your account could be locked or compromised.

Then comes the request. That’s where the scam becomes clear.

They may ask you to:

• Share your online banking username or password
• Provide a one-time passcode
• Transfer money to “secure” your account
• Send a wire or purchase gift cards
• Provide debit card information

Your bank will never contact you unexpectedly and ask for this type of confidential information. They will also never ask you to move money during a phone call to “protect” your account.

Caller ID isn’t always reliable

Spoofing technology allows scammers to make a phone number appear legitimate on your caller ID. This means a call that looks like it’s coming from your bank may not actually be from your bank.  That’s why your best approach is to verify.

What to do if you receive a suspicious call

If something doesn’t feel right, trust that instinct and take these steps:

1. Hang up.
2. Call your bank directly using the phone number on their website or on the back of your debit or credit card.
3. Ask if the call or message you received was legitimate.

Taking a moment to verify can prevent fraud on your account.

A simple rule to remember

If someone contacts you unexpectedly and asks for sensitive information or tells you to move money quickly, stop and verify before doing anything.

It’s important to understand how to keep your information protected from fraudulent attacks. The best defense is simple awareness and caution. Take care when sharing private information, and be wary of links, messages, or calls that do not feel right.

Trust your instincts. If something feels suspicious, pause and contact your bank directly using a trusted phone number. Taking that extra moment can make all the difference in keeping your accounts and personal information safe.

To report any suspicious activity concerning your accounts with Savers Bank, call 800.649.3036 Monday through Friday, from 9 am-4 pm, Thursday 9 am - 6 pm, and Saturday, 9 am-12 pm.