One of the most common tactics scammers use today is pretending to be your bank. They may call, text, or email claiming there is an urgent issue with your account, hoping you’ll react quickly and share private information. The best defense is knowing what your bank will never do.
Here are three clear red flags to help you spot a scam:
- GCSB will never ask for your online banking password or MFA code.
No legitimate employee at GCSB will ever request your login credentials, verification code, or any one-time passcode sent to your phone or email. Scammers ask for this information so they can access your account and authorize transactions in your name.
If someone asks for a code, it is a scam. End the call immediately.
- GCSB will never pressure you to act immediately.
Scammers create a sense of urgency to push you into quick decisions, using messages such as:
- “Your account will be locked unless you confirm now.”
- “A withdrawal was just attempted — verify this immediately.”
GCSB will always communicate clearly and calmly. If something requires your attention, you will have time to verify it and ask questions. If you ever feel rushed, it is not GCSB contacting you.
- GCSB will never ask you to move money to a “safe account.”
This is a growing scam in which fraudsters claim your account has been compromised and instruct you to transfer your money elsewhere for protection. GCSB will never ask you to move funds to a new account for security reasons. Any such request is fraudulent.
When in doubt, stop and verify
If a call, text, or email seems suspicious, do not respond to the message directly. Instead, contact GCSB using the phone number you already know or visit a branch. Taking a moment to verify can prevent significant financial loss.
GCSB is committed to helping you stay informed and protected. If you ever have concerns about possible fraud, we are here to help.