Keep Your Finances Safe! Learn the Do's & Don'ts to Avoid Bank Fraud.


Keeping your accounts and information safe is critically important to us. That's why we're proactively advancing our security and continually investing in account safety measures. 

We also want to help you avoid fraudulent schemes. Email and text message scams, known as phishing, can be difficult to distinguish from legitimate messages. They may impersonate a reputable company and include an urgent request for you to update your information, secure your account, verify your identity or confirm a transaction. You may be prompted to call a phone number, sign on to a fraudulent website or respond with personal or account information.

Please Note: Colonial will never ask you to send money in the form of Gift Cards and will never ask you to send money via Cash App, Venmo, PayPal, etc.
 

Important Do's and Don'ts to Help You Avoid Falling Victim to Fraud:


Do Regularly Monitor Your Accounts:
  • Review your bank, mortgage and credit card statements regularly for any suspicious or unauthorized transactions.
  • Set up account alerts to notify you of unusual activity.
Do Use Strong Passwords:
  • Create strong, unique passwords for each of your online accounts.
  • Use a mix of upper and lower-case letters, numbers, and special characters.
  • Change your passwords regularly.
Do Verify the Legitimacy of Contacts:
  • If someone claiming to be from your bank or mortgage servicer contacts you, verify their identity by calling the bank or servicer using the official phone number from their website, your billing statement or the back of your card.
  • Verify the legitimacy of the contact before providing any personal information or sending any type of payment.
Do Educate Yourself:
  • Stay informed about the latest scams and fraud tactics.
  • Be cautious when clicking on links or downloading attachments in emails or messages, especially from unknown sources.
Don't Fall for Phishing Scams:
  • Do not click on links in emails or messages that appear suspicious.
  • Avoid opening attachments from unknown sources.
Don't Share Personal Information:
  • Never share your account numbers, PINs, or passwords with anyone, especially over the phone or through email.
Don't Trust Unsolicited Requests:
  • Be wary of unsolicited emails, phone calls, or messages requesting personal or financial information.
Don't Delay Reporting Suspicious Activity:
  • If you suspect any fraudulent activity, report it to your bank or mortgage servicer immediately.
  • The sooner you report a problem, the better chance you have of resolving it.

By following these do's and don'ts, you can significantly reduce your risk of falling victim to fraud and protect your financial assets. Stay vigilant and proactive when it comes to your financial security.

To report fraud or suspicious activity, Contact Colonial today.