Preventing Fraud

Fraudsters will pose as legitimate businesses and convince you to share sensitive information or visit fraudulent websites via text. Ameris Bank will never initiate a text message asking for your private information.

Scammers may call you and spoof the number they're calling from to make it seem realistic. The caller may claim to be from the IRS, Ameris Bank or another financial institution, urging you to share personal information or make a payment. The caller may even know some information about you, making claims of high-stakes urgency like a sweepstakes or lottery win. Be highly skeptical, hang up and call back through an official number. Call spoofing will only work when they call you. Remember, no bank will call and request your private information.

Phishing is online fraud initiated through fake emails. Here's how to spot the red flags.

• Fake sender address: An email may look legitimate, but when you scrutinize the sender's address, you can see misspellings or an extra dash in the address. Sometimes the lower cap letter "L" is replaced with the number "1."
• Generic or "phishy" salutation: If the salutation does not contain your name, consider it spam and delete it. Some emails might include an odd form of your name in the salutation, such as your email moniker (i.e. frsmith). If the email doesn't get your name right, delete it.
• Urgent call-to-action: Any email that contains urgent calls to action, such as "your account will be closed" or "action required," should be considered suspect.
• Request for sensitive information: Legitimate businesses and government agencies will never request confidential information. Delete it.
• Phony links: Most phishing scams are all about the links. Never click on a link unless you are 100% certain of the source. Avoid links that don't start with "https" in the URL. If there is no "s," it's probably fake.

• Never give your credit or debit card account number or PINs to anyone you don't know.
• Review your card statements for unfamiliar transactions.
• Always know where your card is and never leave your wallet or purse unattended – even for a moment.
• Shield the keypad when entering your PIN.
• If you're shopping online, be sure the website you're visiting is secure (indicated by https://) before you enter your card number.
• Pick PINs you can easily remember that are not easily guessed.
• Never write your PIN on your card or on a slip of paper you keep in your purse or wallet.
• Get the receipts from your card transactions.