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Don't fall for fake. Keep your money safe by learning the red flags of phishing.

Every day, people fall victim to fraudulent emails, texts, calls, and payment app requests from scammers pretending to be their bank.

That’s phishing.

 

How bad is it?

Consumers lost over $12.5 billion from phishing and other scams in 2024 — a 25% increase since 2023.

 

So what can you do?

  • Learn to spot the red flags of phishing scams.
  • Defend your accounts against future threats.
  • Take action if you think you've been a victim to a scam.

 

    1. Learn to spot the red flags of phishing scams.

    The Red Flags of
    Phishing Emails

     

    Watch for these red flags:

    • Suspicious email address
    • Typos or unusual grammar
    • Urgent language
    • Hyperlinks — never click them
    • Attachments — never open them

     

    The Red Flags of
    Payment App Scams

     

    Stay safe with these tips:

    • Be wary of texts or calls about payment apps
    • Use payment apps to pay friends and family only
    • Raise the alarm on urgent payment requests
    • Avoid unusual payment methods

     

    The Red Flags of
    Phone Call Scams

     

    Stay safe with these tips:

    • Watch out for a false sense of urgency
    • Never give sensitive information
    • Don’t rely on caller ID

     



    The Red Flags of
    Phishing Texts

     

    Watch for these red flags:

    1. Unusual phone numbers —your bank will only text from a 4-5 digit number
    2. Hyperlinks — your bank will never ask you to log into your account by texting a link
    3. Odd grammar
    4. Scare tactics and urgent language
    5. Texts asking you to open a link

     

    2. Beef up your defenses.

     

    MFA

    Set up multi-factor authentication on your logins.

    Strong Passwords

    Use random or complex passwords.

    Updated Browsers

    Keep your browsers up-to-date with the latest defenses.

    Use Antivirus

    Use defenses like virus protection and malware alerts.

     

    3. Got Scammed? Take action.

     

    Step 1

    Contact your bank.
    Sturgis.Bank/contact-us

    Step 2

    Change your passwords and visit IdentityTheft.gov

    Step 3

    Report the scam to the FTC at ReportFraud.ftc.gov.

    Step 4

    If you lost money, file a police report.