Financial scams get more sophisticated every day. Scammers have access to technology that makes scams more convincing and harder to recognize. Fraudsters can impersonate SSB employees, government agencies, and your loved ones. They may even know personal details about you, which can create a convincing case for their legitimacy. And their most effective tactic is using urgency and fear to pressure you into making decisions before you have time to think.
At SSB Bank, we are committed to preventing these highly detrimental scams. We believe our role should go beyond resolving fraud after it has already happened. Our preemptive approach involves educating our customers to help you recognize the warning signs before you become a target.
We recently created a new consumer security resource that features real-world scam scenarios and the lessons victims wish they had known beforehand.
You can read Scam Stories: Real Experiences. Real Lessons. right here.
Learn from Real Experiences
Scam Stories explores a range of scams including:
Bank impersonation scams where fraudsters pose as bank employees and pressure you to move money or share security codes
Investment scams including fraudulent cryptocurrency platforms and so-called exclusive investment opportunities
Other impersonation attempts where criminals pretend to be government officials, law enforcement officers, or your own family members
Romance cons which use emotional relationships to build trust before asking for money
Seasonal and even scams such as fake vacation rentals and counterfeit ticket websites
Social media shopping and marketplace hoaxes like fraudulent ads and payment schemes
Check fraud including altered or counterfeit checks
Each story explains how the scam unfolded and highlights specific warning signs that could help you avoid a similar situation.
One Guideline To Remember
When a situation feels urgent, pause before taking action. Our employees at SSB will never put you in a position where you need to make a financial decision with haste. Even in the case that a problem arises with your account, we aim to find a resolution in a calm and patient manner. Scammers use time pressure to convince you to act before you can second-guess the legitimacy of their claims.
Additionally, there are some things we at SSB or other officials will never ask you to do. A legitimate bank, government agency, or law enforcement officer will not pressure you to transfer money to a “safe” account or reveal a one-time passcode. SSB Bank will never call, text or email you to ask you to move money, share your password, or one-time passcodes. We will never ask you to participate in a so-called sting operation.
If you receive a suspicious call or message claiming to be from SSB Bank, hang up and contact us directly using our phone number here.
Know the Warning Signs
We encourage you to read Scam Stories to learn the warning signs of various scams. Unfortunately, scammers are always devising new strategies to con you out of your money, but these stories will give you a good understanding of the strategies they go back to again and again.
Scammers count on people to react quickly. Already being familiar with their tactics can make all the difference in the moment you are targeted with one of these scams. Knowledge is your biggest defense in these situations.
Read Scam Stories today to be prepared.
If you think you may have been targeted with a financial scam, contact SSB Bank right away. You can also report scams to the Federal Trade Commission at ReportFraud.gov.