Halloween is the season for fun frights — not financial ones! While ghosts and goblins may be harmless, scammers are truly spooky this time of year. They use tricks and disguises that can make even the savviest customers jump. Here are a few of the most common “financial frights” and how to protect yourself from getting haunted by a scam.
The Imposter Scam
The disguise: A scammer pretends to be someone you trust — your bank, a government agency, or even a family member in distress.
The trick: They’ll call, text, or email you saying there’s an urgent issue with your account, a “fraud alert,” or a prize you’ve won that requires immediate action.
The treat: Chambers Bank (or any legitimate financial institution) will never call or text you asking for your full account number, PIN, or online banking password. If you get a spooky call like this, hang up and call us directly at our official number.
The Phishing Phantom
The disguise: A fake email or text message that looks like it’s from your bank or a well-known company.
The trick: It asks you to click a link or open an attachment to “verify your account” or “unlock your card.” The link leads to a fake site that steals your login info.
The treat: Always check the sender’s email address and hover over links before clicking. When in doubt, go directly to our website – never through a link in a message.
The Payment App Vampire
The disguise: Someone pretending to be from your bank’s fraud department.
The trick: They’ll say there’s suspicious activity and ask you to “send money to yourself” or “reverse a transaction” — but the money actually goes straight to them!
The treat: Never send money to someone you don’t know — even if they claim to be helping you. Chambers Bank will never ask you to transfer funds to “fix” a fraud issue.
The Social Media Sorcerer
The disguise: A “friend” or influencer offering investment tips, giveaways, or quick-cash opportunities.
The trick: They lure you into sharing personal info or sending money via peer-to-peer apps.
The treat: Remember — if it sounds too good to be true, it probably is. Magic tricks belong on stage, not in your bank account.
Final Fright-Free Tips
-
Lock down your logins: Use strong, unique passwords and enable multi-factor authentication.
-
Watch your accounts: Check your transactions often — and report anything strange right away.
-
Keep your software updated: Scammers love outdated systems!
-
Trust your gut: If something feels off, don’t be afraid to hang up or say no.
At Chambers Bank, we want you to have a fantastic and fraud-free Halloween. Stay safe out there — and remember, the only thing that should give you chills this season is your favorite scary movie.
Happy Halloween from your Chambers Bank family!