One of the most exciting tools we’ve been able to offer our customers in the last few years is peer-to-peer (P2P) payments. Unfortunately, this is also a target for fraud. In the last year we’ve seen a significant spike in P2P fraud attempts, with as many as 1 out of every 8 customers having been victimized.

United Southern Bank has implemented several controls to help protect you, our customers, but there is a fraud attempt circulating now that we need to make you aware of.

In this fraud attempt, the fraudster sends a large number of people a text message, pretending to be the bank. Some of these people are United Southern Bank customers, and some are not. For those that are customers, this text appears to be legitimate, and it asks the recipient to verify a transaction. As an  example:

The user is prompted to click on the link because they do not recognize the transaction. The site the link goes to looks like our Digital Banking site, and it asks for your username and password. Because this is a fraudulent site, if your username and password are given, the fraudster then gains access to your account. This allows the fraudster to transfer money to themselves.

Unfortunately, we cannot stop these text messages because they are sent directly to you. We can have websites that impersonate United Southern Bank’s website taken down, yet we cannot catch them all. Therefore, it is important for you to also be cybersmart.

Remember the following:

• NEVER click on a link in a text message like this example.
• NEVER verify a transaction through a message like this. Please contact us at the bank using a phone number from a verified source such as the website, not one delivered in a text message.
• Be suspicious of communications that require immediate attention or services will be paused or discontinued.
• Be suspicious of calls or texts claiming your account has been compromised.
• If someone calls you stating they are from the bank, immediately hang up and call us directly at 270-885-0056.
• If something seems suspicious, listen to your gut, and call us directly at 270-885-0056.
• If you fall victim to a scam like this, call us immediately. The sooner we know, the easier it is for us to help you.
• The bank will never ask you for your password. The bank will never call you and walk you through resetting your password. If in doubt, call us directly at 270-885-0056.