Know the common types of scams.
Scammers may target you through fake emails asking you to click on a link to enter information (a technique known as phishing), text messages, phone calls, letters or even by showing up at your door unexpectedly. Do not give out personal information unless you initiated the contact.
Watch for red flags.
The most common types of scams will ask you to do one or more of the following things:
- Confirm or enter your social security number, bank account number or other personal information by clicking on a link in an email.
- Provide your bank account number to receive an IRS payment, like a tax refund.
- Send money immediately to pay a bill because there’s a warrant out for your arrest.
- Purchase gift cards and provide them as form of payment.
- Cash a check for a stranger and send a portion of the check via wire, PayPal® or Zelle® (allowing you to keep the rest of the money)
- Deposit a check that overpays for something you’re selling, then send the difference elsewhere.
Avoid getting scammed.
To protect yourself and your family from potential scams, we recommend the following:
- Don’t send gift cards as payment for purchases or agree to purchase gift cards for someone you don’t know.
- Don’t provide your bank account number or other personal information via email or text; do not provide it via phone unless you initiated the contact.
- Never trust caller ID; if the caller has identified themselves as someone you trust, hang up and call them back on a number you know to verify identity.
- Don’t click on links or attachments via email or text unless you initiated the contact.
- Never give an unsolicited caller remote access to your computer.
- Don’t wire money to unknown people or businesses. Scammers may pose as government officials or relatives when asking you to wire money, so make sure you’re sending the funds to someone you trust.
- Never feel pressured to act immediately on a request for money, gift cards or information.
- Don’t pay someone upfront who promises to return and complete a task (yard clean up, roof repair, etc.).
If you’re unsure about a request for money or personal information, call us. We’re here to help you keep your information and your money safe.
As a reminder, Chambers Bank will never email or telephone you and request your account information.
Use technology to help you keep your account safe.
Your privacy and security are important to us, too. That's why we encourage you to utilize the free tools we've made available to help keep your account information safe.
- SecurLOCK Equip app - with our SecurLOCK Equip app, you can receive a text alert every time your debit card is used, or limit the alerts to transactions over a specific dollar amount. Either way, you'll know if someone else is using your card.
- Account alerts – with Chambers Online Banking, you can customize alerts to easily monitor your account activity by text or email, including account balance, overdraft, deposits, check clearing and large dollar transactions.
- eStatements – by enrolling in eStatements through Online Banking, you can reduce the risk of having your banking information in your mailbox or the trash can, where it could be stolen.
Other resources
- AARP Scams & Fraud Information
- Arkansas Attorney General
- Identity Theft Recovery (Federal Trade Commission Site)