Protecting your data and finances during the COVID-19 pandemic
At American Bank we are committed to helping you protect your finances and personal information during this unprecedented time. In an effort to keep you updated, we will post links to known scams from our trusted sources on this page - be sure to check back regularly for updates as this situation continues to evolve.
Some general safety tips to remember when it comes to your financial information:
- American Bank will NEVER call you and ask you for your account number or personal information - we already know that information about you; don't give out any personal information to someone who calls and asks for it, especially if you did not initiate contact.
- Don't always believe your caller ID; phone numbers are easily spoofed (look as though they are coming from a legit phone number, such as the bank) by bad actors to gain access to your personal information.
- If you are unsure someone calling you is legit, tell the caller you will hang up and call them back at a number you have for them - either from a statement or correspondence you had with them in the past or from a public website. Most likely if it is a scam, the caller will try to dissuade you from do it or hang up on you.
- If you are being pressured to 'act now' or the person contacting is you putting a time limit on the request, do not react. Rather, take some extra time to research the request they are asking you to respond to.
- Even if you know the sender of an email, don’t assume it is safe. If you’re not sure, call your contact to verify the legitimacy of the email before clicking on links or opening attachments.
- If you have the option to set up double authentication on log-ins, do so.
- Always remember, if something sounds too good to be true it probably is.
Resources from our friends at the Federal Trade Commission (FTC)
May 4: Did an ID thief steal your stimulus payment? Report it to us.
May 1: COVID-19 ruined my travel plans. Now what?
April 30: Not every COVID-19 testing site is legit
April 30: Scammers offer facemasks but don’t deliver
April 28: New funding for Coronavirus SBA loans attracts scammers
April 28: CBD, COVID-19 and cancer: The unfounded facts
April 27: Don’t click links in unsolicited text messages
April 23: What you should know about payday loans and car title loans
April 22: Dealing with debt collectors during the pandemic
April 20: Coronavirus stimulus payment scams: What you need to know
April 16: Stay safe while video conferencing
April 15: COVID-19 scam reports, by the numbers
April 14: FTC sends more warnings to sellers of scam Coronavirus treatments
April 10: Scammers are using COVID-19 messages to scam people
April 9: Remote learning and children’s privacy
April 8: Coronavirus checks: flattening the scam curve
April 7: Avoiding SSA scams during COVID-19
April 7: Avoid scams while finding help during quarantine
April 3: Grandparent scams in the age of Coronavirus
April 2: While you’re at home, spot the scams
April 1: Want to get your Coronavirus relief check? Scammers do too.
March 27: Socially distancing from COVID-19 robocall scams
March 25: Seven Coronavirus scams targeting your business
March 19: FTC: Coronavirus scams, Part 2
March 18: Online security tips for working from home
March 9: FTC & FDA: Warnings sent to sellers of scam Coronavirus treatments
February 10: Coronavirus: Scammers follow the headlines
Resources from our friends at Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB)
April 7: Avoid scams while finding help during quarantine
April 6: Protecting your credit during the coronavirus pandemic
April 3: Protect yourself financially from the impact of the coronavirus
April 1: Supervisory work continues with a commitment to protecting consumers
March 27: Beware of scams related to the coronavirus
Resources from the Better Business Bureau (BBB)
April 15: BBB Tips: Economic Impact Payments -- What you need to know about receiving your stimulus check
April 3: BBB Tip: Top 6 coronavirus scams reported by BBB
April 3: BBB Tips: Protect Your Credit and Know Your Debt Repayment Obligations During a Crisis
March 31: BBB Scam Alert: Scammers Targeting Seniors During Pandemic
March 31: BBB Tips: Economic Impact Payments -- What you need to know about receiving your stimulus check
March 37: BBB Scam Alert: “Mandatory” COVID-19 Test Texts are a Scam
March 25: BBB Scam Alert: Working from home? Beware of scams targeting at-home workers