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Scammers are constantly finding new ways to trick people into giving up their money and personal information. One of the fastest-growing threats today is bank impersonation scams—fraudulent phone calls and text messages that appear to come from your financial institution.

In fact, the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) recently issued a nationwide consumer alert warning that bank impersonation scams have become one of the most costly types of impersonation fraud, with many victims losing the entire balance of their accounts.

At First Federal Community Bank, protecting our customers is one of our highest priorities. Here's what you need to know.

How the Scam Works

The goal of these scams is simple: create a sense of urgency so you'll act before you have time to think.

A scammer may:

• Call or text claiming there's suspicious activity on your account.
• Send a fake fraud alert asking you to verify account information.
• Pretend they're working with your bank or even a government agency.
• Tell you your money is at risk and instruct you to move it to a "safe" account.
• Encourage you to convert your funds into cryptocurrency or even gold to "protect" your money.

No matter how convincing the story sounds, it's a scam.

Remember This Rule

Your bank will never call or text you and ask you to move your money to protect it.

If someone pressures you to transfer money, wire funds, purchase cryptocurrency, or withdraw cash to "secure" your account, hang up immediately.

How to Protect Yourself

If you receive a suspicious call or text claiming to be from your bank:

Hang Up and Call Your Bank Directly

Don't trust the phone number that called or texted you. Instead, use the customer service number found:

• On the back of your debit or credit card
• On your bank statement
• On your bank's official website

Never Share Sensitive Information

Never provide:

• Online banking passwords
• PINs
• One-time verification codes
• Social Security numbers
• Account numbers

A legitimate bank representative will not ask for this information to "protect" your account.

Don't Click Suspicious Links

Text messages may contain links that lead to fake websites designed to steal your login credentials. If you're concerned about your account, contact your bank directly instead of clicking the link.

Be Skeptical of Urgency

Scammers rely on fear and urgency. If someone insists you must act immediately or threatens that your account will be frozen unless you follow their instructions, pause and verify the request independently.

Red Flags to Watch For

Be cautious if someone claiming to be from your bank:

• Demands immediate action.
• Asks you to transfer money to another account.
• Requests your password, PIN, or verification code.
• Instructs you to purchase cryptocurrency or gift cards.
• Pressures you to keep the conversation secret.

These are all warning signs of fraud.

We're Here to Help

At First Federal Community Bank, we work hard to help protect our customers from fraud, but awareness is your best defense.

If you ever receive a suspicious phone call, text message, or email claiming to be from First Federal:

• Do not respond.
• Do not click any links.
• Contact us directly using the phone number on our website or the back of your debit card.

We're always happy to verify whether a communication is legitimate.

Stay Alert. Stay Informed. Stay Protected.

Scammers are becoming increasingly sophisticated, but a few simple precautions can help keep your accounts and personal information secure. When something doesn't feel right, trust your instincts and contact us directly before taking action.

Your security is worth the extra phone call.