Scammers like to go phishing. That is, they like to impersonate your bank to trick you into sharing your personal information. These scam text messages are called smishing and are often very convincing, very scary and very urgent. But don’t take the bait. Take a minute to assess the situation for fraud. Or else, you could be on the hook for some serious financial trouble. 

How Bank Impersonation Text Scams Work:

1. You get a text: A scammer posing as your bank sends you a text message about a security issue with your account. Maybe it’s an unusual transaction, a request to update your account information or a general fraud alert.
   
   
2. It’s urgent: If you don’t respond to the text immediately, it says you’ll face consequences like bank account suspension or freezing. So, you panic and take immediate action.
   
   
3. You click a link to a fake website: The text message usually contains a link to a website that looks like your bank's official site, but it’s actually a trap set up by the scammers.
   
   
4. You enter personal information: On the fake website, you enter personal information like your username, password, Social Security number or credit card details.
   
   
5. And now you’re on the hook. The scammers have everything they need to steal your money.
   
   

How to Stay Safe from Text Scams:

1. Verify the sender: Scammers often avoid sharing legitimate contact information, so it’s harder for you to verify the message's authenticity. Always verify the sender's information through F&M Bank’s official website or phone number. (Don’t trust the contact info in the text message.)
   
   
2. Don’t click links: Beware of clicking links in the text. Instead, go directly to F&M Bank’s website or your F&M Bank mobile app.
   
   
3. Beware of urgency: Scammers often give you a false sense of urgency. Take a minute to calm down and evaluate the situation. We will never rush you into making hasty decisions.
   
   
4. Never share your personal information: F&M Bank will never ask you to provide sensitive information like your Social Security number, passwords or credit card details via text message. Don’t share this info with anyone through text.
   
   
5. Use two-factor authentication: Two-factor authentication adds an extra layer of security by requiring a one-time code sent to your phone to complete the login process.
   
   
6. Report Suspicious Activity: If you ever suspect any fraudulent activity or come across a potential scam, please contact us immediately or visit your nearest F&M Bank office. We’re here to support you.

 

It’s important to keep yourself informed about the latest scams and smishing tactics. The more you know, the better prepared you'll be to recognize and avoid financial fraud. You can count on F&M Bank to continue support your financial peace of mind.