Smart Cents

Don’t Fall for Impersonation Scams This Autumn: How to Spot and Stop the Latest Schemes

As the leaves begin to turn and the crisp air of September sets in, it’s a perfect time to refresh your knowledge on staying safe from financial scams. Just like fall brings change, scammers are always finding new ways to trick people out of their hard-earned money.

One of the most common and convincing scams we’re seeing right now involves fraudsters posing as bank employees. These scammers may call you and claim there is suspicious or fraudulent activity on your account. They often sound professional and may even use information they’ve found online to make themselves seem legitimate. Their goal is to make you panic and act quickly.

The caller might say they’re from D.L. Evans Bank or another trusted financial institution and insist that your money is at risk. They may warn that, unless you act fast, your account or retirement savings will be seized or compromised. In reality, these callers are scammers trying to trick you into giving them access to your funds.

Their “solution”? They urge you to protect your money by transferring it to a “safe” account, cashing out your savings to put in a box, or even buying cryptocurrency or gold bars for “safekeeping.” But instead of protecting your money, you’re handing it over to the scammer.

How can you spot the scam?

• If someone tells you to buy gift cards, use a cryptocurrency ATM, or go to your bank while they stay on the phone, it’s a scam.
• If you’re told to lie to bank staff or anyone else about why you’re moving or withdrawing large sums of money, that’s another red flag.
• If someone claiming to be from your bank contacts you unexpectedly and pressures you to act quickly, always be suspicious.

Remember:

• D.L. Evans Bank will never ask you to move your money to another account to “protect” it. Anyone who does is a scammer, even if they say they are from the bank.

• Ignore all unexpected requests for money, cryptocurrency, or gold, especially from someone you’ve never met or spoken to before.

• Always verify the story. If you’re worried about your account, use a phone number or website you know is real to contact the company or your bank directly. Never use contact information provided in a suspicious call or message.

As you enjoy the beauty of fall, stay alert and protect yourself from these ever-changing scams.

At D.L. Evans Bank, your security is our priority. If you ever have questions about suspicious activity or need help protecting your accounts, don’t hesitate to contact us.