2 min read April Fool’s Day may bring moments of lighthearted fun, but it’s also a reminder to stay alert to fraud and phishing attempts. At Bank Midwest, protecting your financial information is a responsibility we take seriously, and we want to help you recognize common warning signs. What is Phishing? Phishing is a type of fraud where scammers pose as a trusted company or person to trick you into sharing sensitive information, such as passwords, account numbers, or login details. 5 Tips to Spot Phishing 1) Be mindful of unusual senders or links Emails or texts that appear to come from a trusted source but use unfamiliar addresses or links should be treated with caution. 2) Pause before reacting to 'urgent' messages Fraudulent messages often rely on urgency or fear to prompt immediate action. Messages claiming your account has been compromised should be reviewed carefully for errors, unusual language, or requests for personal information. 3) Verify directly with us If you’re unsure if message is legitimate, contact the Bank using the phone number listed on your account statement or our official website. Never use the information provided in the message itself. 4) Question unexpected offers & requests Requests for sensitive information or offers that seem unsolicited or too good to be true may be attempts to gain access to your information. Bank Midwest will never ask for account numbers, passwords, or verification codes via email or text. 5) Don't open unexpected attachments or links Attachments or links in unsolicited emails or texts can contain harmful software. Do not open them unless you are confident of the sender and the purpose. Things we'll NEVER ask you for: The CVV (card verification value) on your cards Your debit card number or PIN Card expiration date Online banking User ID or password Social Security number Personal data
