Your phone buzzes. You glance down and see one of these messages:

“PILLAR BANK ALERT: A $743.18 purchase was attempted on your debit card. If this wasn’t you, click here immediately.”

“USPS: Your package cannot be delivered due to an incomplete address. A $0.30 redelivery fee is required.”

“Hi Grandma. I need your help, but please don’t tell Mom and Dad. I’m in trouble and need money right away.”

What would you do?

If your first instinct is to click, reply or call the number provided, that’s exactly what scammers are counting on.

The Scam Isn’t Always Obvious

Today’s scams can be incredibly convincing. Fraudsters can make a text message appear to come from your bank, impersonate a government agency or well-known company, and even use artificial intelligence to imitate the voice of someone you know.

But while technology is changing, one thing hasn’t: scammers want you to act before you have time to think.

Watch for messages that:

• Create a sense of urgency or fear.
• Ask you to click a link or provide personal information.
• Request payment through gift cards, cryptocurrency, wire transfers or other unusual methods.
• Tell you not to discuss the situation with anyone else.
• Ask for passwords, PINs, security codes or online banking credentials.

Stop. Don’t Click. Verify.

If you receive a suspicious message that appears to be from Pillar Bank—or any other company you do business with—don’t use the link, phone number or contact information provided in the message.

Instead, contact the organization using information you already know is legitimate. For your bank, use the phone number on the back of your debit card, visit the official website or call your local branch directly.

And if someone contacts you claiming to be a family member in trouble? Hang up and call that person—or another family member—using a number you already have.

A few extra minutes of verification can prevent a costly mistake.

What If You Already Responded?

Don’t wait.

If you clicked a suspicious link, shared financial information, sent money or believe someone may have gained access to your account, contact Pillar Bank as soon as possible. The sooner you act, the sooner we can help determine what steps to take next.

Trust Your Instincts

Scammers use urgency, emotion and increasingly sophisticated technology to make people react quickly.

Your best defense may be the simplest one:

Slow down. Question the message. Verify it independently.

When you’re unsure, your Pillar Bank team is here to help.