Security and Fraud Prevention
Current Scam Alerts
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Bank impostor scams
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Business Fraud Awareness and Prevention
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Beware of unsolicited requests for card information
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Protect your devices and accounts from scammers
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Computer and mobile device access scams
Scammers are contacting clients, pretending to be Banner employees.
If you receive a call, text or email claiming to be from a Banner Bank employee asking for information about you or your account—beware, it is likely a scam.
Common current fraud attempts include:
- Claiming there’s fraud on your account and you need to verify account information or provide account details;
- Claiming your online banking has been suspended, and requests your PIN or online banking credentials; or
- Claiming a transaction that you initiated cannot be completed and recommends you use another means, which they give you.
Our team at Banner Bank will never request access to your account or reach out asking you to transfer money, verify your account number, debit card number, PIN, your secret passphrase or online banking credentials. If we do contact you to discuss banking activity, we would not ask you for information we already have access to from our records and NO ONE should ask you for passwords or PINs—those should be known only to you.
If you receive an unsolicited call, text or email claiming to be Banner Bank, don't respond or act. That includes clicking links, answering questions or opening attachments.
Instead, verify the request by calling us on one of our publicly published numbers, reach out using Chat within Online Banking, or visit any of our branches. If the request is legitimate, our team will be happy to assist you. We are here to help you protect your personal and financial information.
1. If your business receives a request to change recipient payment or wire information, call the merchant or vendor to verify the details.
2. Never share your password or One-Time PIN (OTP)
3. Secure physical checks
4. Review email for signs of spoofing
5. Be wary of urgent emails about payments or wire transfers or emails sent at odd times outside business hours. Another warning sign is when you are asked to keep communication limited to email only or only one person. Verify such requests through different channels, like by telephone.
The 3-digit CVV code on the back of your debit or credit card is a feature to make online purchases more secure. If fraudsters were to get ahold of your card number and expiration date, they still can't make an online purchase without the CVV code on the back of your card.
By posing as the bank and asking clients to verify a recent purchase, fraudsters are gaining card numbers, expiration dates and 3-digit CVV codes. They are then able to add this information to a digital wallet service and make online purchases.
Your bank will never call to ask for your card number, expiration date or 3-digit CVV code. You should only provide your card's 3-digit code when making a purchase that you initiated.
If you receive an unsolicited request to remotely access your computer or mobile device, it’s probably a scam. The more aggressive the request, the more alert you should be.
Scammers often pose as employees of familiar companies asking you to provide them with access to your device or to download an app that they send to you. These scams come as phone calls, emails, texts or pop-up screens and may claim that your device has a virus or that you’re owed money.
No matter what the claim is, never grant access or download any app based on unsolicited requests even if you do business with the company the individual claims to be with. Always verify requests by calling the company directly using a verified number from a trusted source – NOT the number the requester provides, which could be part of the scam.
If you're concerned you may have been a victim of a scam
- Call us at 800-272-9933, weekdays from 7 am - 7 pm Pacific Time. If your credit or debit card has been compromised, please call the phone number on the back of your card
- File a police report
- File a complaint at IC3.gov
- Check your accounts regularly and often
- Sign up for Banner Online Banking (demo) and check your accounts regularly
- If you see anything suspicious on your accounts call Banner Bank immediately
- Sign up for Banner eStatements (demo) to prevent theft of paper documents
- Sign up for Alerts (demo) to help you detect suspicious activity
- Sign up for Debit Card Controls (demo) to protect use of your Banner Bank debit card
- Keep documents such as your social security card or passport in a secure area at home or in a safety deposit box
- Review your credit report at least once a year
- Shred private documents such as receipts, applications, bank statements, etc
- Never provide personal information, access to your computer or transfer money based on unsolicited calls, text or emails
- Do not deposit a check, send money or gift cards to a stranger. They may say you need to buy supplies, pay taxes or fees. Tips to protect yourself from check scams.
- Avoid common scams with these tips to prevent identity theft.
- Never share your login, password or Secure Access Code
- Always log off your online banking session before leaving your computer or device
- Close all browser windows or tabs when ending your online banking session
- Do not access your banking or other sensitive online information on a public wifi network
- Never jailbreak or root your mobile device or use a jailbroken or rooted device to access online banking
- Only download apps from official app stores for your device
- Enable touch ID or Face ID (demo), on the mobile device you use to access online banking to help prevent unauthorized access to your account
- Choose a username that you can remember but is not easy enough for others to guess
- Make your password sufficiently long—at least 14 characters and a mix of upper and lower case, numbers and special characters
- Use multifactor when possible for an additional layer of security beyond username and password
- Never share your username, password or Secure Access Code
- Change your password often—at least every few months—and don't use the same password for other accounts
- Install and regularly update antivirus software to prevent viruses, spam and junk email from entering your inbox
- Install a firewall to help prevent unauthorized access to your computer
- Install spyware software to block the installation of spyware on your computer
- Keep your computer operating system and Internet browser current to provide additional protection against fraud and theft
- Back up all sensitive information from your old computer before you discard and erase the hard drive
- Change your wireless network default password as well as the default SSID (name used to identify your network)
- Never grant access or download any app based on unsolicited requests
Protecting Your Business from Fraud
Businesses and consumers both need to be aware of the computer-related crimes that could affect them. Business owners and employees play an important role in protecting a company’s vital information.
Tools & Resources to Protect Yourself from Fraud
