Fraud & Security

Common Scams & Red Flags

Learn how to spot common scams and keep your personal and account information safe.

Don't Fall Victim to Fraud: Stay Vigilant and Informed

Every day, regular people like you lose their hard-earned money to scams. Learn how to spot suspicious texts, emails, and phone calls. 

We will never unexpectedly contact you and ask for personal information. Please call us at 800-651-9111 if you think you have been scammed or notice fraudulent activity on your account. 

Reduce Your Risk of Fraud

  • Set up Two-Factor Authentication (2FA).
  • Never click on a suspicious link requesting personal information.
  • Do not use the same username, pin, or password for multiple online accounts.
  • Use a lengthy, complex password or passphrase that incorporates special characters.
  • Avoid accessing your online banking accounts via a wireless network.
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Read More About Scams

Ever heard of the Frozen Account Scam? Learn how to protect yourself from it on our blog.

Read More

Red Flags It's a Scam!

Be on alert when you receive an email, text message, phone call, or mobile payment you are not expecting—it could be a scam. Never click links, open attachments, or share personal info before verifying the source. If you spot any of these red flags, please call us at 800-651-9111. 
account alerts

Unfamiliar Contact Information

Unusual caller ID, email address, or phone numbers.
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You Feel Rushed

Urgent warnings or requests and scare tactics.
spelling errors dictionary

Spelling Errors

Watch for misspelled words or odd grammar.
requests personal information identification

Requests for Personal Information

We’ll never ask for your personal information.
suspicious links phishing

Suspicious Links

Banks rarely, if ever, send links via text.
anytime access funds

Overpayment Claims

This is a tactic scammers use to trick you into sending them money.
account alerts

Unfamiliar Contact Information

Unusual caller ID, email address, or phone numbers.
fast approval

You Feel Rushed

Urgent warnings or requests and scare tactics.
spelling errors dictionary

Spelling Errors

Watch for misspelled words or odd grammar.
requests personal information identification

Requests for Personal Information

We’ll never ask for your personal information.
suspicious links phishing

Suspicious Links

Banks rarely, if ever, send links via text.
anytime access funds

Overpayment Claims

This is a tactic scammers use to trick you into sending them money.

Protect Yourself from Common Scams

The banking industry is witnessing a significant surge in text message and phone call scams. These criminals are impersonating Isabella Bank and other financial institutions to deceive you into revealing sensitive personal information.

Be vigilant: these requests are fraudulent. Never share your personal or account details with anyone.

Fraudsters are relentless in their development of scams to outsmart the existing authentication controls put in place to protect your account information. Here are some recent and common scams to look out for.

Tax Scams:

Scammers pose as IRS agents, using phone calls, emails, or text messages to demand immediate payment, threaten legal action, or request sensitive information. It’s important to know the IRS will never call, email, or text you demanding payment or threatening arrest. Instead, they will always contact you first through an official letter by mail. You can verify any IRS contact by calling 1-800-829-1040.

Bank Fraud Text Message and Phone Call Scams:

The banking industry has seen an increase in the number of text message and phone call scams. In ongoing scams, they are impersonating Isabella Bank and other financial institutions in an attempt to mislead consumers into sharing their personal and account information. Please be aware that these attempts are scams, and it is important that YOU DO NOT provide any information to them. As your trusted banking partner, Isabella Bank understands the importance of protecting your personal and account information. We have many layers of security in place to keep our customers’ information safe and protecting that information is paramount to all of us.

Human Voice Replication: 

This is a sophisticated scam where criminals use artificial intelligence to replicate human voices, impersonating family members or trusted individuals to deceive you into revealing sensitive information or sending money. 

Money Mules Fuel Fraud:

What are money mules? Money mules are people who receive and move money obtained by victims of fraud. Some money mules know they’ve been recruited to assist criminal activity, but others become money mules without realizing their activity is benefiting fraudsters.

Keystroke Logging/Virus Attacks: 

Keylogging is a method by which fraudsters record your actual keystrokes and mouse clicks. Keyloggers are "Trojan" software programs that target your computer's operating system (Windows, Mac OS, etc.) and are "installed" via a virus. These can be particularly dangerous because the fraudster has captured your user ID and password and anything else you have typed while online. If you are like most other users and have the same ID and PIN/Password for many different online accounts, you have essentially granted the fraudster access to any company with whom you conduct business. 

Phishing:

Phishing is a scam where fraudsters request personal information from users. While requests are most commonly in the form of an email from an organization you may or may not do business with, they could also be from a phone call, text message or letter. The request is made to look exactly like it came from the organization, complete with company logos and other convincing information. The request usually states that the company needs you to update your personal information or that your account is about to become inactive or frozen, all in an effort to get you to supply your information. Please remember no reputable business will ever contact you in these ways requesting that you update your personal information, including account numbers, system passwords or Social Security Numbers. 

Scammers Can Attack from Many Different Angles

Visit the American Bankers Association’s Banks Never Ask That website to learn more about the communication methods scammers use.
Learn More
senior man on a phone call reading his credit card looking confused

Phone Calls

Scammers may try to impersonate the bank over the phone. Don't give any information out unless you made the call yourself.
woman looking at her phone at a suspicous message

Text Messages

Keep info safe by not responding & deleting suspicious text messages.
man viewing his computer laptop screen suspiciously

Email

Most Phishing attempts are done via email, the most frequently used tool. Don't click on any links. Verify before you trust.
man looking at his phone concerned about something he just read

Mobile Payment Apps

Be cautious if you receive a request for money from a stranger. This can happen in apps like Venmo, CashApp, etc.
senior man on a phone call reading his credit card looking confused

Phone Calls

Scammers may try to impersonate the bank over the phone. Don't give any information out unless you made the call yourself.
woman looking at her phone at a suspicous message

Text Messages

Keep info safe by not responding & deleting suspicious text messages.
man viewing his computer laptop screen suspiciously

Email

Most Phishing attempts are done via email, the most frequently used tool. Don't click on any links. Verify before you trust.
man looking at his phone concerned about something he just read

Mobile Payment Apps

Be cautious if you receive a request for money from a stranger. This can happen in apps like Venmo, CashApp, etc.
Learn More
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Learn About Our Contact Policy

Isabella Bank's Contact Policy

We will never contact you and ask for personal information. Please contact us directly before providing information to anyone who contacts you on an unsolicited basis. 
Contact Us

Recent Articles 

Avoid Getting Scammed Over College Tuition: What to Know and Do

Young woman working on laptop in a room with a lot of books on a bookshelf behind her.

Fall is right around the corner, and with many college students preparing to start the fall semester, we wanted to take a moment this week to highlight another common scam that targets both students and their parents. 

This time of year, it’s not uncommon for scammers to target students and parents with fake calls or emails about unpaid college tuition. They often pretend to be from the school’s billing office and claim that tuition is overdue. To pressure victims into acting quickly, they may threaten course cancellations, late fees, or even student suspension unless a payment is made immediately.

How the Scam Works

A scammer, pretending to work for a college or university, contacts a student by phone, email, or text. They often claim your tuition payment is overdue and that your enrollment, class schedule, or housing is at risk if you don’t pay immediately. The message may seem real because the scammer will mention the school’s name and specific deadlines and may even spoof the caller ID or use official-looking email addresses. The goal is to pressure you into making a payment, usually by credit card, wire transfer, or a payment link, before you have time to check if the claim is valid. In reality, there may be nothing wrong with your account.

Example of the Scam

Martin, a college sophomore, received a call from someone claiming to be from his university’s finance department. The caller said his fall tuition hadn’t gone through, and his classes would be dropped within the hour if he didn’t pay immediately. They asked for a credit card number over the phone. Feeling panicked, Martin gave it to them, only to find out later that his actual tuition had already been paid and the call was a scam.

Tips to Protect Yourself from the Tuition Payment Scam

To avoid falling victim to the tuition payment scam, follow these essential tips:

  • Be cautious of urgent requests. Scammers use high-pressure tactics to rush your decision.
  • Verify with your school. If you get a message about unpaid tuition, contact your college or university directly using a known phone number or website.
  • Avoid paying through links or unknown callers. Be cautious with payment links or unsolicited callers. Only send money or share information after confirming the request’s legitimacy.
  • Watch for red flags. Poor grammar, generic greetings, and requests for unusual payment methods (like gift cards or wire transfers) are signs of a scam.

If You've Been Scammed

If you are a victim of the college tuition scam, here are some next steps you can take: 

  • Contact us. If your account information has been compromised, or if you have mistakenly given money to a scam, let us know.
  • Report the scam to the FTC. File a report with the Federal Trade Commission at ReportFraud.FTC.gov. Also, inform your local law enforcement.
  • Report the scam to the state attorney general. You can find information at NAAG.org.
  • Contact your school. Notify your school’s financial aid or student accounts office so they’re aware of the scam attempt.

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