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Scam Alert
Fraudulent Calls Being Received
Last week a customer received an after hours call that showed up on caller ID as "Bank of Buffalo" from our Buffalo branch number, 307-684-5591. The caller claimed there was fraud on her account. When she said she knows everyone at the bank and would call us directly, the caller hung up immediately.
- Caller ID can be faked. Seeing our name or number does not mean it is us.
- We will never call you out of the blue and ask for your account number, PIN, online banking password, or a one time security code.
- If something feels off, hang up and call your local branch during business hours. Use the number on the back of your debit card, on your statement, or on our website.
Fraudulent Debit Card Text Messages
The Banks of Buffalo, Gillette & Sheridan is alerting customers to a fraudulent text message scam currently circulating.
These message falsely claim to be debit cards transaction alerts and are not legitimate.
- The messgae is sent from a regular 10-digit phone number
- The message does not include the last four digits of your debit card
- The message asks you to reply directly to confirm a transaction
How the Bank Sends Legitimate Alerts
Official debit card transaction alerts from The Banks:
- Are sent from a 5-digit short code
- Include the last four digits of your debit card
If a message does not meet both of these criteria, it is not from The Banks.
What to Do If You Receive This Message
If you receive a suspicious text:
- Do not reply
- Do not click on any links
- Delete the message
- If you are unsure whether a message is legitimate, contact The Banks directly using the phone number on the back of your debit card or through our official website.
Stay Informed
Scams continue to evolve, and awareness is one of the best ways to protect yourself. Customers can stay informed by visiting our Scams & Fraud Prevention page:
Wyoming Residents— Beware of These Current Scams
Scams are becoming more common, more realistic, and more detrimental to our local communities. And, because scam attempts are constantly evolving to reflect the digital changes in our world, you may be unfamiliar with the current tactics that are happening right here in our state. To help you recognize the trending scams, we’ve put together a list of very popular tactics that are affecting those around you right now.
Bank or Governmental Agency Document Deception
Unfortunately, as the holidays approach, scams and misleading marketing attempts increase. One such scheme involves using publicly available data compiled by your County Assessor’s Office along with documents recorded by the Clerk and Recorder’s Office to produce a solicitation that appears to be legitimate and from a bank or governmental agency. To convince you of the legitimate nature, many times pictures of your home and information such as your home mortgage will be included.
At best these solicitations offer a product of limited or no value, but many times also include a version of the “tried and true” financial crime of including a fraudulent check for you to deposit and then forwarding legitimate funds to them. When the fraudulent check comes back, the scammer will be long gone with your funds. PLEASE BE AWARE!
Company Imposter Scams
In this scenario, scammers will contact you while impersonating a well-known company, such as Amazon, PayPal, Microsoft, or even your bank. The scammers will notify you of an urgent matter—a suspicious purchase on your account, for example—and urge you to call a number they provide to talk with customer service. That phone number will lead you to a fake representative who is attempting to gain access of your account and personal information. If you’re contacted by a company and you’re not sure if it’s legitimate, ALWAYS reach out to the company directly by contacting the number on their website or on the back of your card.
Online Phishing
This type of scam often takes the form of an email or text message and can apply to many different scenarios. You might get an email claiming you won a giveaway. Or, you might receive a text message persuading you to click a link to track your package delivery. In all instances, they will prompt you to take immediate action, such as clicking a link, downloading an attachment, or transferring money. If you receive unsolicited emails or texts, always be cautious. With all scam attempts, it’s a good idea to report and/or block the sender.
Unusual Payment Scams
Rising in popularity, scammers are taking advantage of digital currency and online payments such as cryptocurrency, gift cards, and wire transfers. Scammers will use scare tactics, such as jail threats and family emergencies, or fake sales, such as retail items at an unbelievable price, to convince you to give them money. The only catch is they want you to pay with one of these unusual payments. Because these forms of payments are almost always irreversible, you aren’t able get your money back when you realize it’s a scam. Here are a few things you can do to protect yourself from scammers and phishing attempts:
- Set up two-step or multi-factor authentication on all your devices, mobile apps, and accounts. This makes it much harder for scammers to gain access to your information even if they have your password.
- Create unique passwords for your most important accounts. Having different and complex passwords for accounts with sensitive information helps make sure that all of your accounts won’t be compromised if scammers gain access to one.
- NEVER click on links or download attachments without making sure you trust the sender. If you are in doubt, always contact the company directly from the information provided on their website.
- NEVER give out personal information, such as your social security number, pin number, birthday, or address, unless YOU initiated the conversation with a number you trust.
For more information on scams, how to report them, and what to do if you fall victim, please visit the resources below:
- https://www.consumer.ftc.gov/features/scam-alerts
- https://www.aba.com/advocacy/community-programs/consumer-resources?utm_source=abawom&utm_medium=vanity&utm_campaign=consumers&utm_content=consumers
- https://www.buffalofed.bank/online-phishing-what-it-is-and-how-to-avoid-it
The Banks of Buffalo, Gillette and Sheridan care about protecting your personal information and will do everything we can to provide reliable service to our Wyoming communities. If you are unsure if a message/call you received is from us, or you fall victim to a scam, give us a call at your local branch.