Protect yourself from the latest bank phone call scam
Beware of the latest bank phone call scam, which involves scammers impersonating bank call centers and fraud departments. These scammers will try to trick you into telling them your personal data so that they can hack into your accounts.
How to spot the red flags of a bank phone call scam.
The scammer claims to be calling from your bank.
The caller ID may even look like it’s coming from your bank. Scammers can spoof their phone number to look like it’s an official bank number.
The scammer claims fraud on your account.
It’s likely that the scammer will claim there was suspicious activity on your account or unauthorized access to your online banking account. In addition, the scammer may even manufacture a fraudulent “pending charge” to make the scam seem legitimate.
The scammer asks for your personal information and password.
The scammer will use their fabricated fraud claims to ask you for your online banking sign in credentials. They might ask you for your username, password, security questions and answers, and one-time authorization codes. This is a major red flag and should alert you that this is a scam.
You should never give personal information over the phone, nor will your bank ask you to. When Popular Bank calls you, we never ask you to provide or verify personal or account-identifying information.
The scammer can use your info to take control of your account.
It’s important never to tell anyone your sign in information, in particular potential scammers. Scammers can use this information to hack into your online banking account and reset your sign in credentials.
What to do if you get a suspicious phone call.
Never share personal or financial information with anyone.
You should never share the following information with anyone.
- Social security number
- One-time password or code
- Username
- Password
- Online banking security questions and answers
Hang up and call us using our toll-free number.
If you receive a bank phone call scam, you should hang up immediately and contact us. Please call us as soon as you can at 1-800-377-0800.
Monitor your account activity daily.
It’s a good idea to start reviewing your bank accounts frequently if you receive a suspicious call like this. You can check your account activity with Popular Online Banking and Mobile Banking. Alternatively, you can match your debit card receipts against your monthly statements. Be sure to review your monthly statements immediately for any unusual activity.
Report any fraudulent activity immediately.
If you notice an unauthorized transaction on your account, please contact us immediately at 1-800-377-0800. It’s important to report unauthorized transactions as soon as possible to keep potential losses down.
We’re here to help.
At Popular Bank, your financial security is our top priority. Learn more about online security and how you can protect yourself from fraudulent scams. If you have any questions about bank phone call scams, please contact our Customer Care Center.
Remember, Popular Bank doesn’t request personal information over the phone. We will also never ask for your password through email, social media, or a third-party website.