We Don't Ask That header.

We Don't Ask That

Scammers look for ways to take advantage of the innocent, unsuspecting public. Stay informed about common scams and how you can protect yourself.

Thousands of people fall victim to phony phone calls, text messages, and emails from criminals acting as if they are from your bank, your insurance agency, your government, or even your own family.

Staying informed and aware of these criminals and their tactics is the best defense against them.

Stay Alert! We Don't Ask for Your:

  • Account Number
  • Passwords of any kind
  • One-Time Passcode
  • Full Social Security Number
  • PIN Number
  • Debit or Credit Card 3-Digit Security Code or Card Expiration Date
  • Online Banking Secret Word or Password

The criminals make up plausible scenarios to get you to share sensitive information or send them money.

Scammers use current events, new products and services, and major events to create believable stories to persuade you to give them money or give them personal details.

Beware of These Common Scam Attempts:

Criminals will try many different types of scams – fraud is not always obvious. Most of these scams are framed around some kind of emergency situation, or demand you to act immediately. These criminals tend to be personable, friendly, and unassuming. Here’s a few examples of recent scam attempts:

Transferring money over phone.

Bank Employee Scam

These criminals are posing as bank employees and asking questions in an attempt to gain access to your online banking. They will then request you provide a confirmation code, allowing them to transfer money directly out of your bank accounts.

Text alert on a mobile phone.

Text Message Scams

Criminals will send a text message pretending to be from your bank’s fraud department, asking you to verify a transaction attempt. Once you reply, the fraudster calls you, saying they need information to reset your account and to provide them a text code you received.

Private documents being fished out of a computer

Avoid Phishing Scams

Keep your data private by watching out for phishing scams – fraudsters use emails or phone calls to appear legitimate and ask for your personal information.

Hacker standing over computer.

Tech Support Scam

Criminals pose as a technology representative, claiming to be able to fix non-existent computer issues by gaining remote access to devices and sensitive information.

Confused grandparent on her phone.

"Grandparent Scam"

A scammer poses as a panicked grandchild or a relative struggling to pay an emergency, such as a hospital bill, bail money, or needing to leave a foreign country. They will often ask you not to tell anyone, especially the grandchild’s parents.

Broken piggy bank

Investment Scams

Scammers pose as someone they’re not and brag about their extravagant lifestyle and how they’ve built their wealth through cryptocurrency, urging you to open an account. They use fake documents to show high returns. Slowly, they’ll encourage you to invest more. When you try to withdraw, your funds disappear leaving you without your hard-earned savings.

Ways to Protect Yourself

  • Never give out your Online Banking password,

    share a one-time passcode, PIN number, full Social Security Number, or identifying questions for logging into your Online Banking.

  • Resist the urge to act immediately

    - scammers will try to create a sense of urgency to distract you from questioning them or the situation.

  • Verify the caller’s identity

    - ask questions only that person would know. If you receive a call from someone claiming to be from Jefferson Bank asking you for personal information, and you did not initiate any type of inquiry, hang up and contact us directly using a trusted phone number. Please see below for information to include when reporting a scam.

  • Do not give out personal or sensitive information

    including passwords, secret words, or verification codes.

  • Be careful if sending cash, gift cards, or wire money transfers

    to anyone you don't know.

  • Make sure all computer anti-virus, security software, and malware protections are up-to-date

    - use reputable computer protection software, anti-virus, and firewall protections.

  • Received the “Grandparent Scam”?

    - Contact your family members directly to verify their safety.

  • Trust your instincts

    - we strongly encourage you to hang up the phone on any interaction that doesn’t seem right. Remember the classic saying, “If something doesn’t feel right, it probably isn’t!”

To File a Report:

What to Include When Reporting a Scam:

  • Name(s) of the scammer or company
  • Dates of contact
  • Methods of communication
  • Phone numbers, email addresses, mailing addresses, and websites the scammer used
  • Where you sent any funds, including wire transfer and prepaid cards
  • Description of your interaction, and any instructions the scammer gave you

Sources:

Common Scams and Crimes, Federal Bureau of Investigation

Grandparent Scams in the Age of Coronavirus, Federal Trade Commission

COVID-19 vaccines are in the pipeline. Scammers won’t be far behind, Federal Trade Commission