Have you ever wondered how your stolen information is used to commit fraud, and what you can do to help prevent it? We have some tips to help you keep your information safe.
Fraudsters have become increasingly adept at getting information they need to commit fraud by posing as financial institution call center agents, or by sending text messages that look like they are coming from your trusted financial institution, warning of suspicious transaction activities. They are also known to call in to call centers posing as customers requesting changes to their card information and parameters. Fraudsters use information stolen through data breaches (at health insurance providers, reward program providers, credit bureaus, merchant terminals, and social media sites, to mention just a few recent ones) as well as through malware programs deployed on personal computers and other sources. Stolen personally identifiable information (PII) is combined with stolen card information, resulting in sufficient information to create profiles that fraudsters can use to position themselves as the actual cardholders.
Help protect your personal information from fraud by remembering:
A text alert from The Callaway Bank warning of suspicious activity on your card will not include a link to be clicked. You should never click on a link in a text message that is supposedly from The Callaway Bank. A valid notification from The Callaway Bank will provide information about the suspect transaction and ask you to reply to the text message with answers such as ‘yes’, ‘no’, ‘help’, or ‘stop,’ and will never include a link.
A text alert from The Callaway Bank will NOT be from a 10-digit number resembling a phone number.
A phone call from The Callaway Bank’s automated dialer will only include a request for a cardholder’s zip code, and no other personal information, unless they confirm that a transaction is fraudulent. Only then will they be transferred to the Customer Care Team who will ask questions to confirm your identity before going through the transaction.
If at any point you are uncertain about questions being asked or the call itself, hang up and call The Callaway Bank directly at 800-446-2265 (BANK). If you receive a call claiming to be The Callaway Bank call center and asking to verify transactions, you shouldn’t have to provide any information other than your zip code and a ‘yes’ or ‘no’ to the transaction provided.
The Callaway Bank will NEVER ask for the debit card PIN or the 3-digit security code on the back of your card.
Posing as call center agents, fraudsters will often ask you to verify fake transactions. When you say no, you did not perform those transactions, the fraudster then says that your card will be blocked, a new card will be issued, and that they need the card’s PIN to put on the new card. Many people believe this and provide their PIN. A real call center agent will tell you wait until you receive your new card to activate it and set a new PIN.
Regularly check your account(s) online for suspicious transactions, but especially if you are unsure about a call or text message you’ve received. If anything looks amiss, call The Callaway Bank directly for assistance.
If you receive a voice or a text message from The Callaway Bank’s fraud call center and are unsure about responding to it, call The Callaway Bank’s Customer Care Team 800-446-2265 directly for assistance.