As financial scams continue to become more common, local banks are encouraging customers to stay alert and take steps to protect their personal and financial information. Fraudsters often pose as banks, government agencies, utility companies, or well-known businesses in an attempt to trick people into sharing sensitive information or sending money.

Customers should never share account numbers, passwords, PINs, one-time security codes, or online banking credentials with anyone who contacts them unexpectedly by phone, text message, email, or social media. If you receive a suspicious message claiming to be from your bank, hang up or ignore the message and contact the bank directly using a trusted phone number.

Local banking officials also encourage customers to regularly monitor account activity, review transactions, and take advantage of security features such as account alerts and multi-factor authentication whenever available. If something doesn’t seem right, trust your instincts. Taking a few extra minutes to verify a request before responding can help prevent identity theft and financial loss.

Staying informed and using a little extra caution can go a long way toward protecting your finances and your personal information.