August 2025
In today’s digital age, scammers are becoming increasingly clever, using a technique called spoofing to trick bank customers into revealing sensitive personal information. Spoofing is when a fraudster disguises their phone number, email address, or website to appear as if it’s coming from the bank or a trusted source.
How does spoofing work?
You might receive a call or message that looks legitimate—possibly even showing the official phone number on caller ID or an email that looks just like it came from the bank. The scammer will often create a sense of urgency, asking you to verify your account details, passwords, or PIN to “protect” your account. But in reality, this information is used to steal your money and/or your identity.
Tips to stay safe:
- Don’t trust caller ID or email addresses alone. Scammers can mimic these easily.
- Don’t trust the caller’s voice. Scammers can create tailored phone conversations through AI with a simple snip or recording of a banker’s voice, tricking you into thinking it’s someone you know.
- Never share your PIN, password, or full account number over the phone or email, even if the caller claims to be from the bank.
- Verify suspicious communications by calling us directly using our official number on your card or bank statement. But remember, even if your caller ID displays our official number, it could be spoofed. If you’re suspicious or have any doubts, hang up and call the number yourself to verify the request is legitimate.
- Be cautious of urgent requests demanding immediate action. Legitimate banks and other trusted sources shouldn’t pressure you this way.
- Keep your software and apps updated to protect against security vulnerabilities.
If you suspect you’ve been targeted by a spoofing or any other type of scam, contact us immediately at (262) 549-8500 and report the incident. This may lead to shutting down your card or bank account, but it will keep your money safe.
Stay vigilant and protect your personal information. And remember, the bank will never ask for sensitive details out of the blue!
Want more information on keeping your information private? Check out these tips from the Wisconsin Bankers Association, or visit the American Bankers Association Banks Never Ask That website at https://www.banksneveraskthat.com/.
Some of this content was generated using AI.