Rise in bank spoofing occurring across Wisconsin

The Wisconsin Bankers Association (WBA) is warning Wisconsinites of increased bank fraud, and encourages citizens to continue their efforts to spot scams by criminals, seeking to obtain bank account or personal information. With greater frequency, Wisconsin banks see a variety of fraud activity targeting consumers, including recent attempts by bad actors, to defraud customers through calls impersonating the bank. Many instances include “phone number spoofing,” which makes the call appear as if it were from the bank itself. If a call seems suspicious, hang up and contact the bank directly, using a verified number. “Banks across Wisconsin, go to great lengths to help protect customers, by investing in anti-fraud tools and account security,” said Rose Oswald Poels, WBA president and CEO. “However, criminals are sophisticated in their spoofing of bank names on caller ID, and creating fake websites or text messages, with bank logos, to mislead customers into providing account access information or transferring money. Bank customers must be vigilant, to protect bank account and personal information from criminals.” The following tips help protect customers against scams or financial exploitation: • Watch for red flags of phishing in emails, calls and text messages, such as asking the consumer to open a link that was not expected; they use urgent or fear-inducing language; they send an attachment; they request personal information, like PINs, passwords or social security numbers; they pressure the consumer to log into, or send money with, payment apps. • A consumer can avoid scammers succeeding, by writing safer checks, with a permanent gel pen; avoiding blank spaces, so criminals can’t fill them in instead; withholding personal information on checks; taking mail directly to a U.S. Post Office location, and not the mailbox at home or a free-standing blue drop box to send mail. • Attentively monitor account activity on the online banking platform. • Regularly review paid checks on the online banking platform, including ensuring the endorsement is correct, and reflects the intended payee and amount. Switch to the bank’s payment app or online bill pay, instead of writing a check. • Follow up with payees, to confirm they received and deposited checks. The best defense against scams, is to stay informed. For more information about how to spot scams and bank spoofing, visit banksneveraskthat.com.