Protecting Yourself from Frozen Account Scams

Scam Alert: Don’t Fall for Fake Bank Fraud Calls

What Is the Frozen Account Scam?

Scammers are impersonating bank fraud departments and calling or texting people, claiming their accounts have been frozen due to suspicious activity. These fake alerts are meant to create panic and trick you into providing sensitive information or taking risky actions.

How the Scam Works

You receive a phone call, robocall, or text message purporting to be from your bank. The message says your account is locked or frozen due to fraud, and you must act quickly to avoid penalties or permanent restrictions. The scammer then asks for login credentials and card numbers or prompts you to click a link or call a fake number, which further compromises your account.

Example of the Scam in Action

Jasmine got a call claiming her account had been frozen for unusual transactions. The person sounded professional and asked her to verify her account number and PIN to reactivate her card. Trusting the caller, she provided the information, only to find her account empty the next day.

How to Protect Yourself from Frozen Account Scam Calls

• Don’t trust caller ID. Scammers can spoof phone numbers to make it look like the call is from your bank.
• Hang up and call us directly. Use the number on the back of your debit card or our official website. Do not use any phone number given during the call.
• Never share PINs, passwords, or full account numbers. A real bank will never ask for this information over the phone.
• Be wary of urgency. Scammers try to rush you into action – and errors in judgment – with threats of locked funds or account closures.
• Use account alerts to monitor real activity. Set up text or email alerts for withdrawals or login attempts.

If You Think You’ve Been Scammed

Follow these essential tips:

• Contact us and any financial institution you work with. If you believe that your account information has been compromised or if you have mistakenly given money to a scam, let us know immediately.
• Report the scam to the FTC. File a report with the Federal Trade Commission. Inform local law enforcement as well.
• Report the scam to the state attorney general. Find more information about scams and how you can report a scam with the Michigan Attorney General’s office.
• Change your online banking credentials. Update your passwords and enable multifactor authentication to secure your account.