In light of recent high-profile bank failures, the Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA) has issued a warning to consumers to be aware of potential scams that may attempt to solicit your money or personal information.
The warning comes as a response to a number of bank failures that have occurred recently. These failures have led to the closure of many banks, leaving many consumers unsure of what to do next. Unfortunately, some fraudsters have seen this as an opportunity to take advantage of those in need, by using a variety of tactics to solicit money or sensitive personal information.
One of the primary ways that fraudsters attempt to scam consumers is through emails. These emails often have bank-related subject lines, attachments, or links that may appear legitimate, but are in fact fraudulent. Consumers are advised to exercise caution when handling such emails and should always double-check the sender’s address to ensure that it is legitimate. If you are unsure, it is best to contact your bank directly to confirm the validity of the email.
In addition to email scams, consumers should also be wary of phone calls, social media pleas, texts, or door-to-door solicitations relating to any failed bank. These may come in the form of messages requesting donations to help those affected by the bank’s closure, or even offers of new accounts with better interest rates at other banks. These types of solicitations should be treated with caution and should always be verified with your bank before providing any personal information or making any payments.
It is important to note that the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (FDIC), the "Receiver" of failed banks, would never contact you asking for personal details, such as bank account information, credit and debit card numbers, social security numbers, or passwords. If you receive any communications requesting this information, it is important that you do not provide it and report the incident to your bank and local law enforcement.
Overall, it is important for consumers to be vigilant when dealing with any bank-related communications or solicitations, particularly in the aftermath of a bank failure. If you have any concerns about the legitimacy of any communications you receive, it is always best to contact your bank directly to verify their authenticity. By taking these precautions, you can protect yourself from falling victim to any potential scams or frauds.
How to stay safe from these new bank scams:
One effective way to stay safe from scams is to use a call blocking app like Genie. These apps work by identifying and blocking calls from known scammers and spammers, so you can avoid answering these calls and potentially falling victim to their schemes.
Genie is a call blocking app that uses artificial intelligence to analyze and identify calls based on a variety of factors, such as caller ID, call frequency, and user feedback. The app maintains a constantly updated database of known scammers and spammers, and can automatically block these calls before they even ring on your phone.
When you receive a call, Genie will analyze the call and provide a risk assessment based on the likelihood that it is a scam or spam call. If the call is deemed risky, Genie will automatically block it and provide you with a notification explaining why the call was blocked.
If anyone calls you claiming to be from the FDIC or your bank, be careful as they will not ask you for personal information over the phone. To make sure they are not impersonators, it's always best to call your bank directly to verify the call's authenticity.
If you have Genie, it will screen and block calls from known scammers and spammers, including those impersonating the FDIC or your bank. This added protection can give you peace of mind knowing that you won't fall victim to these types of scams.
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