Zions info about Cybersecurity Awareness Month (ask Bess about her experience this month with cyber attaack)

 AS PHISHING SCHEMES SOAR, LEARN TO SPOT SCAMMERS IN DISGUISE

“Banks Never Ask That” Compaign Educates Consumers on the Perils of Phishing Attacks

 

MONTPELIER, Idaho; October 20, 2022 — Every day, thousands of people fall victim to emails, text messages and calls from scammers pretending to be their bank. The Federal Trade Commission estimates that consumers lost $5.8 billion to phishing schemes and other fraud in 2021, a 70% jump from 2020.

 

In honor of Cybersecurity Awareness Month, Zions Bank is joining the industry-wide “Banks Never Ask That” campaign to educate consumers about the persistent threat of phishing scams.

 

“It’s important to remember that there are some things your bank will never ask you,” said Steve Allred, vice president and manager of Zions Bank’s Bear Lake branches in Montpelier and Garden City. “If you receive an email, text, or phone call asking for confidential information, consider it a red flag.”

 

Criminals use phishing scams to trick consumers into giving up their personal information, like a bank account number or social security number. They may use email, text message or a phone call to “phish” for this type of information. Victims of phishing scams can lose hundreds, even thousands, of dollars.

 

Allred offers the following tips on how to spot a phishing scam.

 

• If you receive a text message from someone claiming to be your bank asking you to sign in, or offer up your personal information, it’s a scam. Banks will not ask you to confirm personal details or send passwords through text.   

 

• Beware of emails that ask you to click on a suspicious link or provide personal information. The sender may claim to be someone from your bank or other legitimate organization, but it’s a scam.

 

• Your bank will never call you to verify your account number. If you’re ever in doubt that the caller is legitimate, hang up and call the bank directly at a number you trust.

 

• If you receive a suspicious email or text, do not download any attachments or click on links and do not call any phone numbers provided in the message.

 

• Report phishing attacks to the Federal Trade Commission at ReportFraud.ftc.gov.

More tips are available at www.BanksNeverAskThat.com.