How to Stop Scammers
Financial institutions are popular scam targets (yes, even Summit), but their attempts span all industries and affect entire communities. By getting the word out on scams to you – and by you sharing it with family and friends, too – we can all look out for each other.
Here Is the Biggest Thing to Remember:
Never give out personal or account info in reply to an unsolicited call, text or email.
- We would never ask you to give us your username, password or PIN – so don’t share them even if a request includes our Summit name or logo.
- Don’t click any links in a text, email or social media message asking for the above info.
- Hang up on callers asking for the above info – again, even if they say they’re from Summit.
- If you’re unsure about something you receive, call our direct line at Summit instead (don’t go by the contact info you’re given in the suspicious communication).
If you've given out your contact information, please reach out to us right away at 800-236-5560.
Common Scam Tactics
Scammers pretend to be someone credible (like your financial institution or a government agency, for example). But they’re really trying to get any personal information from you that they can use to log in to your accounts and steal your money – or your identity.
They often try to get what they need by reaching out with:
- An email – known as “phishing” (because they’re literally fishing for info!)
- A text – known as “smishing” (phishing via SMS text messages)
- A phone call – known as “vishing” (voice phishing)
Examples of Recent Scams
Scams are always changing, but here are some we’ve seen out there. Just remember, while we do send out fraud alerts via text and phone calls, the real Summit would never ask you to click a link or give us your username, password, PIN or credit card/debit card number.
Reactivate Your Account
A text or email says your account’s been suspended due to suspicious activity or password change, with a link to “reactivate” your account. Don’t click the link!
Validate or Cancel a Transaction
A text or email notifies you of a transfer, Zelle® person-to-person payment or other transaction, asking you to click a link to “cancel it” or send a reply.
Follow-Up Call
You may also get a follow-up call, asking for your username and password or telling you to read back a one-time passcode to your text or email. Hang up!
Some Other Red Flags:
- Pressure to act quickly. Scammers hope you’ll act before you have a chance to think it through or see if they’re legit.
- Threats of legal action or arrest. Don’t let someone try to scare you into sharing info.
- Things that are too good to be true. Like free prizes or unexpected money (for example, cash that shows up in your account or a refund).
- Unusual payment requests. Someone asks you to pay with gift cards, iTunes vouchers or quick transfers or wires to random people? Nope.
- Misspelled words and bad grammar. Fraudsters are less about getting things right and more about getting your money!
More Resources to Help You Stay Safe
We take your security very seriously and we’re looking out for you and your money. That includes sending you scam updates and alerts on an ongoing basis, as well as making fraud-fighting resources easily available to you:
Get more info here:
Sign up for our free Fraud & Scams Webinar: February 21 at 11:30 a.m.
Listen to our free “Keep Your Money Safe” podcast