We work hard to keep our clients’ personal and account information safe. We also know many of you are working hard to protect your parents and other elders from scams and fraud.
Scammers send texts, emails, official-looking snail mail, and phone calls targeting everyone, but elders are especially vulnerable. These outreaches often look very official and legitimate! The goal is to trick a victim into visiting a malicious website, handing over personal or account information, or sending money.
Our goal? To stop the scam. We thought it would be helpful to create something you can share with an elder — or even print out and post near their computer or their preferred place to use their tablet. You could even have them tape it into the tablet case.
Here are four questions to ask before anyone clicks on an email, responds to a text, or sends money or personal information.
Before I click or reply, I should ask:
Who sent it?
Is the person sending you the email someone you know? Or a complete stranger? If they say they know you, can you contact the person directly to confirm?
Where does it take me?
Does the email try to get you to go somewhere? If so, where? Look at the whole URL (website address). Log in only to fremontbank.com or other trusted sites.
Does it make sense?
Is the email consistent with other emails you’ve received? Or is something off? Are there misspellings or grammatical errors that an official email wouldn’t include?
Is there a sense of urgency?
Scammers use threats, a sense of urgency, and an easy way out of any “trouble” they say you’re in. Or, they present an opportunity with a “must act now!” imperative.
If you have doubts, don’t! Don’t click on links, reply to emails or texts, or provide requested information or funds.
We will never request your PIN, password, or a one-time access code. Call (800) 359-2265 to talk to someone at Fremont Bank to check if we’ve contacted you.
