November 30, -0001
Today, First Community Bank joined the American Bankers Association and banks across the nation to promote an industry-wide campaign educating consumers about the persistent threat of phishing scams. The FTC estimates that consumers lost $3.3 billion to phishing schemes and other fraud in 2020, nearly double the losses in 2019. To combat phishing, the #BanksNeverAskThat campaign uses attention-grabbing humor and other engaging content to empower consumers to identify bogus bank communications asking for sensitive information like their passwords and social security numbers.
“Customers use multiple methods and types of technology to access their personal and financial information on a daily basis,” said Jennifer Wyatt, assistant vice president, information security at First Community Bank. “As an institution, we like to provide cybersecurity and fraud education to our employees, customers and communities. Partnering with the ABA helps us provide this type of education in a new and humorous way.”
“Phishing attempts have become even more prevalent during the pandemic making it more important than ever that consumers learn how to spot a scam,” said Paul Benda, senior vice president, operational risk and cybersecurity at ABA. “With help from participating banks like First Community Bank, we’re teaching consumers how to spot phishing red flags so they can stay one step ahead of the scammers.”
First Community Bank, along with banks across the country and ABA, is kicking off the campaign on October 1 to mark the beginning of National Cybersecurity Awareness Month. Throughout the month, First Community Bank will share eye-catching and engaging short videos, animated GIFs and consumer tips on social media created to highlight common phishing schemes. Because cybersecurity education and fraud awareness can often be dull and forgettable to many consumers, the campaign is designed to be bright and bold with a bit of comedy.
“Chicago Deep Dish or New York Style?” one of the campaign’s animated GIFs asks social media users. “#BanksNeverAskThat. They won’t open an email with ‘Hello Customer,’ either. That’s a scam. Think you can spot a scam when you see it? Prove it with this new phishing quiz from the American Bankers Association.”
The campaign’s short videos offer similarly ridiculous questions that banks would never ask and direct consumers to BanksNeverAskThat.com for more information. At that website, consumers will find the #BanksNeverAskThat quiz, videos, phishing red flags, tips and FAQs.
For more information about phishing scams and how to stop fraudsters in their tracks, visit www.BanksNeverAskThat.com.
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