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ALERT: Text message scams are on the rise. Beware of unsolicited texts requesting account verification via a link.

How to Spot Phishing Scams

12/07/2021 - Avoiding Fraud & Enhancing Security

Yellow banner reads: Would your bank call you to verify your password? NOPE! Banks never ask that

Every day, thousands of people fall victim to fraudulent emails, texts and calls from scammers pretending to be their bank. In fact, the Federal Trade Commission’s report on fraud estimates that American consumers lost a staggering $3.3 billion to these phishing schemes and other fraud in 2020—that’s nearly double what was lost in 2019.

At WesBanco, we’re committed to helping you spot these scams as an extra layer of protection for your account. We want every bank customer to become a pro at spotting a phishing scam—and it starts with these four words: Banks Never Ask That. Because when you know what sounds suspicious, you’ll be less likely to take the bait.

These top 3 phishing scams are full of red flags:

  • Text Message: If you receive a text message from someone claiming to be your bank asking you to sign in, or offer up your personal information, it’s a scam. Banks never ask that.
  • Email: Watch out for emails that ask you to click a suspicious link or provide personal information. The sender may claim to be someone from your bank, but it’s a scam. Banks never ask that.
  • Phone Call: If you receive a call from someone claiming to be your bank asking you to verify your account number or password, it’s a scam. Banks never ask that. If you’re ever in doubt that the caller is legitimate, just hang up and call your bank directly at a number you trust.

 

You’ve probably seen some of these scams before. But that doesn’t stop a scammer from trying. For more tips on how to keep phishing criminals at bay and test your scamspotter IQ, visit www.BanksNeverAskThat.com hosted by the American Bankers Association. And be sure to share the webpage with your friends and family.

Remember, WesBanco will never contact you via unsolicited phone calls, emails, text messages, or over any other mediums to request your Online Banking credentials or other personal information. As your bank, we already have that information on file. If you ever question the legitimacy of a request for your information, please contact us on your own to verify the request. Click here to read more safeguarding your information at our Security Center.

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