- Cybersecurity
What to Do When Fraud or Scams Happen to You
Jon Erdmann
Chief Information Technology Officer
Fraud and scams happen every day. We hear about them constantly, but one day they could happen to you. Here are four steps to take if it does.
Contact Your Financial Institution
The first thing you should do if you suspect fraud is contact your financial institution. If you’re a customer of VISIONBank, reach out to us immediately. We are here to help walk you through the process and determine what needs to be done. Time is critical when dealing with fraudulent activity, so don’t delay. Acting quickly can help minimize the damage and ensure you’re taking the appropriate steps to protect your finances.
When you call, have any relevant information at hand. This could include account numbers, recent transactions, or any communications you suspect are related to the fraud. Our team is trained to assist in these situations and will prioritize your case to address the issue as swiftly as possible.
What Type of Fraud or Scam Was It?
Understanding the nature of the fraud is crucial. Where did the fraud happen? Here are some key details VISIONBank will help you determine:
- Amount of money involved: Knowing the exact amount affected will help assess the scale of the issue and determine the necessary actions.
- Method of contact: Did the scammers reach out via email, phone, text, or another method? Identifying this can help trace the fraud and prevent future incidents.
- Details about fraudulent checks: If the fraud involves a check, how and why did you receive it? This information could be critical in understanding the origin of the scam.
- Sensitive information shared: Determine whether any sensitive information was compromised, such as account numbers, digital banking login credentials, Social Security numbers, or debit or credit card numbers.
By gathering these details, you’ll help ensure that the investigation can proceed efficiently and effectively. VISIONBank will support you in identifying and documenting this information.
Update Account Information
Depending on what information was accessed, you may need to update your account details to prevent further issues. VISIONBank’s customer service team is here to assist you with these updates. Possible actions include:
- Resetting your digital banking login: If your online banking credentials were compromised, resetting your login is a vital step.
- Shutting down your debit card: If your debit card information was stolen, we can deactivate the card and issue a new one.
- Ordering a new credit card: Similarly, if your credit card information was accessed, we’ll guide you through obtaining a replacement.
- Opening a new account: In some cases, it might be best to open a new account entirely and transfer automatic payments to the new account. This ensures your financial activities remain secure.
Our team will make this process as seamless as possible and answer any questions you have along the way.
File a Report
After securing your accounts, it’s important to file a report. Reporting the incident not only helps protect you but also aids in preventing similar scams from affecting others. VISIONBank will guide you on where to file a report, depending on the situation. Here are the primary reporting channels:
- Local police: If the scam occurred locally, file a police report. This creates an official record of the incident.
- Federal Trade Commission (FTC): The FTC collects information on fraud and scams to help identify trends and educate the public. Filing a report with the FTC can help protect others.
- FBI Internet Crime Complaint Center (IC3): If the scam involved online activity, submitting a report to IC3 is essential. They specialize in cybercrime and can provide valuable resources.
Taking these steps ensures the scam is documented and may assist law enforcement in catching the perpetrators. Additionally, reporting to these agencies contributes to broader fraud prevention efforts.
Stay Vigilant
Fraud can be a stressful experience, but it’s also a reminder to stay vigilant. Educate yourself about common scams and take proactive measures to secure your financial information. Enable alerts for your accounts, regularly monitor your transactions, and never share sensitive information unless you’re absolutely certain of the recipient’s legitimacy. Remember, VISIONBank is always here to support you in protecting your financial well-being.
We understand fraud and scams are sneaky. Don't hesitate to reach out to us if it happens to you. Contact our Customer Service team at 701.364.2020 or cs@visionbanks.com.
Report Fraud + Scams
Did you receive a text, call, or email about your VISIONBank account that was suspicious? Fill out the form below to report it!
** Reminder, if you have given out any sensitive information (account number, debit card number, Social Security number, or digital banking credentials please contact us immediately at 701.364.2020. **