How to Prevent ACH Fraud
ACH (Automated Clearing House) transactions are a secure and efficient way to send and receive direct deposits, bill payments, subscription purchases and more. But if your account is compromised, ACH transactions become an efficient way for hackers to steal your money.
From fake emails and texts to computer viruses and malware, scammers use a variety of methods to steal personal information and commit ACH fraud. Outsmart the scammers with these fraud prevention tips and best practices.
- Beware of ACH email requests.
Scammers impersonate institutions you trust, also known as phishing, to deceive you into revealing personal banking information. Remember, F&M Bank will never contact you and ask for sensitive details or request that you click a link to verify a transaction through email. - Enable two-factor authentication.
Strengthen your online banking security by requiring an additional verification step to log into your account. Learn how to set up two-factor authentication here. - Use F&M Bank’s ACH Filter.
Designed to protect you from ACH fraud, this service allows ACH transactions only from the people and organizations you trust. You decide who to authorize, as well as the dollar limits allowed to post to your account. For more information on our ACH Filter or F&M Bank's other business services, please email Business.Services@fmbnc.com. - Don’t open suspicious links or attachments.
Clicking links or attachments puts your device at risk of downloading viruses and malware. Even if a website looks legitimate, scammers have the ability to track your keystrokes to record your login credentials or any other personal information you enter via their links. - Be cautious of requests to update ACH details.
Scammers are skilled at impersonating trusted companies. Always independently verify requests to update ACH payment details from existing or new vendors. - Monitor your accounts regularly.
Regularly review your account statements for any unauthorized or suspicious ACH transactions. You can also set up account alerts to receive notifications for any ACH activity on your account, allowing you to detect and report fraudulent activity right away. - Don’t reveal personal information on social media.
Hackers are skilled detectives who can use your digital footprint to guess your passwords and security answers. - Verify ACH requests before sending.
Do not reply to an email request for an ACH transaction. Instead, verify the request in person or using a phone number you have on file for the sender. - Keep your devices and software updated.
Install reputable antivirus software on your devices to help protect against malware. Also, keep your operating system, web browser and other software up-to-date with the latest security standards. - Most importantly, contact F&M Bank.
If you ever suspect any fraudulent activity or encounter a potential scam, please contact us immediately or visit your nearest F&M Bank office. We’re here to support you.
By implementing these preventative steps, you can help safeguard your finances from ACH fraud. And you can continue to count on F&M Bank to support your financial peace of mind. Your financial security is our top priority.