An unfamiliar charge. A text that looks like it came from your bank. A phone call that leaves you wondering whether you shared too much.
Realizing you may have been scammed can be unsettling. You don’t have to have all the answers before asking for help. If you think your account or personal information may be at risk, here’s where to start.
Contact Your Bank Right Away
If you notice suspicious activity or think a scammer has your banking information, contact your bank immediately. Even if you sent the money yourself, tell your bank what happened and ask what options are available.
For a Farmers Bank & Trust account, use the phone number on the back of your debit card or the call us directly at 855-855-3268. Don’t use a phone number or link from a suspicious message.
If the issue involves a credit card or payment app, contact that company directly, too. Acting quickly matters, although recovering money is not guaranteed.
Secure Your Information and Save the Details
After reaching out for help, take these steps:
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Stop communicating with the suspected scammer. Don’t send additional money or share more information.
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Change exposed passwords. Update the affected account and any other accounts using the same password. Turn on multi-factor authentication where available.
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Keep a record. Save messages, receipts and screenshots. Write down when the incident happened, how you paid and what information you shared. You don’t need to gather everything before contacting your bank.
Know Where to Report Fraud
Reporting a scam helps document what happened. Depending on your situation, these resources can help:
Federal Trade Commission: ReportFraud.ftc.gov
Identity theft assistance: If someone used your personal information, visit IdentityTheft.gov for a personalized recovery plan.
Local law enforcement: You can also report the incident to your local police department. Keep a copy of any report for your records.
These reports are additional steps. Don’t wait to complete them before contacting your bank or payment provider.
Consider a Fraud Alert or Credit Freeze
If your personal information was exposed, a fraud alert or credit freeze can help protect against someone opening new credit accounts in your name.
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A fraud alert tells lenders to verify your identity before extending credit. Contact one of the three major credit bureaus—Equifax, Experian or TransUnion—and it will notify the other two.
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A credit freeze restricts access to your credit report, helping prevent new credit accounts from being opened. You’ll need to contact each bureau separately.
Both are free. These tools help protect your credit, but they don’t replace reporting suspicious activity on an existing bank account.
Stay Alert to Follow-Up Scams
Be cautious if someone contacts you promising to recover your money for a fee. Don’t send more money or share account information with an unexpected caller.
Going forward, review your account activity regularly and use available account alerts. If a message pressures you to act immediately, pause and contact the organization through a number or website you know is legitimate.
We’re Here to Help
Scams can be convincing, and there’s no reason to feel embarrassed about asking questions.
If something doesn’t feel right with your Farmers Bank & Trust account, reach out. Our team is here to listen and help you understand your next steps.
