several individuals sitting together looking at their phones.

common scams

stay vigilant against fraudsters.

Here are some common types of scams and what to look out for if you are a victim.*

Phishing Scammers disguise themselves as a known or trusted company and use email, text, and phone to steal passwords, account numbers, or social security numbers.	How to Protect Yourself: Use computer security software. Make sure your phone is always up to date – enable automatic updates. Use multi-factor authentication (extra pin/passcode, verification passcode by (ext, email, app, or face/fingerprint ID). If you don’t know or recognize the person or company that contacted you, then report and delete the message.If you do have an account or recognize the sender – contact the company or person using a legitimate number or contact method to confirm that the message is not a phishing attempt.
Gift card Scams Scammers may pose as important figures, family members, or government officials and pressure victims into buying gift cards as a form of payment.	How to Protect Yourself: Be aware of the red flags - no business or customer service contact center will ever ask for payments in the form of gift cards. If you are in doubt, contact the business or establishment by a trusted number and confirm.
Call Spoofing Call spoofing is a technique to mask real phone numbers to appear as if they're calling from a different number. They manipulate the caller ID to deceive you into thinking it's a legitimate call.	How to Protect Yourself: Be cautious of unexpected calls: If you receive a call out of the blue, especially from someone claiming to be from a government agency or a financial institution, approach it with skepticism. Verify before sharing information: Never share personal or financial details over the phone unless you're absolutely sure about the caller's authenticity. Take the time to verify their identity by independently contacting the organization they claim to represent. Trust your instincts: If something feels off or too good to be true, it probably is. Scammers often use high-pressure tactics to rush you into making impulsive decisions. Take a step back, trust your instincts, and don't be afraid to hang up if you suspect foul play.
Debit Card Scams Debit card scams involve fraudsters attempting to gain access to your debit card information, including your PIN, and using it to transfer money through a peer-to-peer transfer service.	How to Protect Yourself: Never share your debit card or PIN: Your debit card and PIN are confidential and should only be used by you. Remember, no legitimate financial institution or service will ever ask for your debit card details or PIN over the phone, via email, or through any other form of communication. Be cautious of unexpected calls: If you receive a call from someone claiming to be from Five Star Bank, or any other financial organization, and they request your debit card information or PIN, treat it as a red flag. Hang up immediately and reach out to our official customer service number to verify the legitimacy of the call. Familiarize yourself with peer-to-peer (P2P) transfer policies: Understand the features and safeguards provided by your P2P transfer service. Be aware of any notifications or security measures that would alert you in case of unusual or unauthorized transactions.