As technology continues to evolve, so do the tactics used by criminals. From cyberattacks and identity theft to increasingly sophisticated scams, fraud remains a growing concern for individuals, families, and businesses across Texas. In an environment where threats can change overnight, having a trusted financial partner matters more than ever.
At Security State Bank & Trust, protecting our customers isn’t just part of what we do — it’s part of who we are. As a community bank rooted in Texas values, we believe education is one of the most powerful tools in the fight against fraud. Our Information Security Officer and Fraud Department work diligently behind the scenes every day to safeguard your accounts and to keep our communities informed.
While the methods criminals use may shift, many of the most common scams remain familiar. These include identity theft, phishing attempts, debit and credit card fraud, check fraud, investment scams, and real estate-related fraud. Awareness and proactive habits can make a significant difference in preventing financial loss.
Here are practical steps you can take to strengthen your protection:
- Secure personal documents: Safeguard your important documents, such as Social Security cards and passports, in a secure location at home.
- Be cautious with personal information: Only share personal information with trusted sources and be cautious of unsolicited requests for such data.
- Be skeptical of unsolicited communications: Verify the legitimacy of any email, text, or phone call claiming to be from your bank or other companies. Contact these companies directly using official contact information.
- Don’t click on suspicious links: To prevent potential malware infections, avoid clicking on links or downloading attachments in messages from unknown sources.
- Keep your devices secure: Install and regularly update antivirus software, firewalls, and anti-phishing tools to protect your digital devices.
- Monitor your account activity: Regularly review the statements across all of your accounts for any unauthorized or suspicious charges.
- Set up transaction alerts: Enable alerts on your mobile device to stay informed about activity on your accounts.
- Create strong and unique passwords: Avoid using easy to guess information such as names, birthdates, or other easy to obtain information. Consider using long passphrases instead of easy to guess passwords.
- Enable multi-factor authentication (MFA): MFA adds an extra layer of security that requires you to provide two or more forms of verification to access your accounts.
- Avoid public Wi-Fi: Refrain from accessing your online banking while using public Wi-Fi networks, as they may be less secure and more susceptible to hacking.
- Store checks securely: Keep blank checks in a secure location to prevent unauthorized access.
- Work with reputable professionals: Choose trustworthy real estate agents and lenders with a proven track record.
- Be wary of deals that seem too good to be true: Scammers often use attractive offers to lure in unsuspecting victims.
- Look out for elderly parents or family members: Be sure to share information on fraud awareness with them and stay on the look out for signs they may be taken advantage of.
If you ever sense suspicious activity or are unsure, be sure to contact your financial institution directly. Remember, knowledge and awareness are your most effective weapons against financial fraud.
