Posted on: Apr 04, 2024
Scammers use phone calls, email or text messages to try to steal your passwords, account numbers, or Social Security numbers. If they get that information, they could get access to your email, bank, or other accounts. Or they could sell your information to other scammers. Scammers launch thousands of phishing attacks like these every day — and they’re often successful.
Phishing emails and text messages often tell a story to trick you into clicking on a link or opening an attachment. You might get an unexpected email or text message that looks like it’s from a company you know or trust, like Lindell Bank or a medical provider or utility company. The message could be from a scammer, who might say:
- They’ve noticed some suspicious activity or log-in attempts — they haven’t;
- Claim there’s a problem with your account or your payment information — there isn’t;
- Say you need to confirm some personal or financial information — you don’t;
- Include an invoice you don’t recognize — it’s fake;
- Want you to click on a link to make a payment — but the link has malware;
- Say you’re eligible to register for a government refund — it’s a scam;
- Offer a coupon for free stuff — it’s not real.
Unfortunately, these types of scams are becoming increasingly common, and any financial institution, business, or even individual is susceptible to being spoofed or phished for the purposes of identity theft and fraud.
Your money and account information are secure at Lindell Bank, but for it to remain so, you must be vigilant in protecting your personal and account information.
Lindell Bank will never contact you by phone, text or email and ask for:
- Personal identifying information including Social Security Numbers
- Account numbers
- Debit card or credit card numbers
- Online banking login information
- A one-time passcode sent to you via text or email
Some of these pieces of information such as account number or personal identifying information may be asked for identity verification purposes when you call Lindell Bank directly; however, do not provide this information to anyone who reaches out to you unexpectedly asking for these details.
Other red flags to look out for:
- You are asked to download software to your phone or computer
- You are asked to click on unexpected or unknown links
- The caller tells you to act urgently
- Any authorization texts or emails from mobile wallet sources that you did not initiate (Apple Pay, Samsung Pay, Google Pay, Fitbit Pay, etc.)
- Don’t trust your caller ID or email headers: Scammers can make any name or number show up on your caller ID or appear as the sender of an email. That’s called spoofing. So even if it looks like it’s someone you know, it could be a scammer from anywhere in the world.
What to do:
- If you are ever unsure about the legitimacy of a call or text message, end the call or close the messaging app and contact Lindell Bank directly at our main office 314-645-7700 or your local branch.
- We recommend you save Lindell Bank’s main number 314-645-7700 as well as your local branch’s number in your contacts.
- Please visit our Education page for short and informative educational videos.