Six Signs That's Not Your Bank on the Phone

It’s a daily occurrence. Fraudsters pose as bankers and go “phishing” for financial details from account holders. 

And they are incredibly successful. Last year alone, Americans reported losing a staggering $2.95 billion to these so-called imposter scams.  

Because it offers the perfect entry point, the mobile phone is a scammer’s favorite place to cast a line. The tiny supercomputer that everyone carries around 24/7 offers multiple ways in: texts, calls, emails, even QR code scams known as “quishing.”

Awareness is a would-be victim’s best defense. To help you stay one step ahead, we’ve compiled key warning signs that a text, call, email or QR code—no matter how convincing—is not actually from your bank.

Bank Iowa will never:

1. Have our fraud department call and ask you to supply sensitive information, like account numbers, SSN or online banking login credentials.
2. Tell you the only way to protect your account is by sharing your online banking login ID, password or secure access code over the phone.
3. Suggest you transfer funds between your accounts for your protection or to help with a fraud investigation.
4. Send you a link, an attachment or a QR code that requests your account information.
5. Attempt to gain remote access to your computer or mobile device to help with an investigation.
6. Threaten you if you fail to take immediate action on a request

If it appears you are receiving anything like this from us—or any other financial institution—delete it. You can always double-check by reaching out to the bank directly, using contact information you locate yourself on a trusted source, like the Bank Iowa website or an official Bank Iowa mobile app.