If a message feels urgent, secret, or too good to be true, take a breath before reacting. That gut feeling is usually right. Phishing scams are designed to make you act first and think later, and the methods are getting sneakier every year.
Around here, that might look like:
- A text about a package delivery you never ordered.
- An email claiming your bank account is locked.
- A call pretending to be from your power company or even “the bank.”
Fraudsters count on you to panic or feel pressured. When you slow down and look closer, their tricks start to stand out.
Red flags to watch for
- Urgent language like “act now” or “your account will be closed.”
- Requests to keep the message private or secret.
- Links or attachments you weren’t expecting.
- Odd sender addresses or misspelled website links.
- Requests for personal details, PINs, or one-time codes.
What to do right away
- Do not click anything. Go directly to the company’s official website or app to check your account.
- Verify through a trusted number. Call using a phone number you already know or one from the back of your card.
- Report it. Every report helps protect others.
Helpful resources:
Extra protection with FSB
We take your account security seriously. Review tips on our Security Information page. Set up account alerts in Online Banking so unusual activity stands out quickly.
Bottom line: Trust your gut, slow down, and verify before you click. A few seconds of caution can save a lot of frustration later.
