Recognize the Tactics
Understanding how scams work is what lets you spot one before it costs you. Stay informed to protect yourself and the people around you.
Practice Strong Security Habits
Keep your personal information, passwords, and devices secure with proven security practices.
Act Quickly If You're Compromised
If you suspect your information has been stolen, don't panic. Follow our step-by-step guide to limit the damage.
Fraud Awareness
Three Things That Keep You Safe
Identity Theft
Identity theft happens when someone steals your personal information for their own financial gain. That includes your Social Security number, PINs, bank account details, passwords, driver's license, or health insurance information. Criminals use a range of tactics to get it:
Stealing wallets or mail
Watching you enter your PIN at an ATM, known as shoulder surfing
Pretext phone calls and social engineering
Phishing and vishing scams
Once they have your details, they may open credit cards or loans in your name, access your accounts, or sign up for services as you. The damage to your credit takes real time and money to undo.
Know What You're Up Against
Common Types of Fraud
Asked to Keep It Secret
Scammers don't want you checking their story with family, law enforcement, or your bank.
Unexpected Requests
A payment, delivery, or charge you don't recognize and weren't expecting.
Asked for Credentials
No legitimate bank asks for your PIN, password, or username by call, text, or email.
Untraceable Payment
Gift cards, cryptocurrency, wire transfers, or payment apps. Hard to trace, impossible to reverse.
"You've Been Overpaid"
You're asked to send the difference back, but it’s a classic scam—the original payment bounces, and you lose what you sent.
Pressure to Act Now
Urgency, threats, and intimidation are designed to stop you thinking it through.
Caller ID Can Be Faked
Numbers and names can be spoofed. On its own, caller ID proves nothing.
Too Good to Be True
Trust the instinct. Double-check before you respond to an unusually good offer.
Warning Signs
Get to Know the Red Flags
1. Place a Fraud Alert on Your Credit File
Contact the three major credit bureaus to request a fraud alert and freeze your credit, Equifax®, Experian®, and TransUnion®, and get a free credit report so you can review all activity under your credit.
2. Reach Out to Your Bank
Let us know right away so we can close any accounts that might be affected and help keep your banking safe and secure.
3. Protect Your Checking Account
If you think your checking account is at risk, contact these check verification companies to help prevent unauthorized checks from being accepted: TeleCheck®:1-800-710-9898 and Certegy, Inc.: 1-800-437-5120.
4. File a Police Report
Report the identity theft to your local police and keep a copy of the report. You may need this for the credit bureaus, your bank, and other parties.
5. Report to the Federal Trade Commission (FTC)
The FTC can guide you on protecting yourself and recovering from identity theft. Visit www.ftc.gov/idtheft or call 1-877-IDTHEFT (438-4338).
6. Keep Monitoring Your Accounts
Regularly check your bank and credit accounts for any unauthorized activity or charges. Make a note of any suspicious dates or transactions.
Steps to Recover from Fraud
Spotting a fake message
Watch for poor grammar, spelling errors, and low-quality images.
Check email addresses, links, and URLs for subtle misspellings or unusual characters.
Only click links or open attachments from trusted, verified sources.
Verifying before you act
Never use contact information from a suspicious call, text, or email. Look up the official website yourself, or visit your local branch.
Protecting your devices
Keep devices updated with the latest software and antivirus protection.
Never log into digital banking on public Wi-Fi or shared computers.
Always log out when finished, and avoid saving passwords on unsecured devices.
Watching your accounts
Review your bank, credit, and financial accounts regularly.
Set up transaction alerts and use My Cards to turn cards on and off.
Use free credit monitoring through Credit Sense in digital banking.
Check your credit report free each year at annualcreditreport.com.
Passwords and documents
Create strong, unique passwords and update them regularly.
Avoid birthdays, family names, and anything easily found online.
Shred bank statements and credit card offers before disposing of them.
Reducing your exposure
Register with the national Do Not Call and Do Not Mail lists.
Opt out of prescreened credit offers.
Review privacy settings on your devices and block unwanted spam texts.
Send important mail and checks from a secure USPS collection box, and keep up with scam news on our Smart Cents blog.
Everyday Protection
Security Tips & Tricks
What Are the Common Signs of Fraudulent Behavior?
Fraud can happen to anyone, and recognizing the warning signs early is one of the best ways to protect yourself and your finances. As a local community bank, we are committed to helping our customers stay informed and vigilant. Fraudulent behavior can take many forms, from phishing emails to unauthorized account activity, but there are common red flags that everyone should know. 1. Unusual Account Activity One of the most obvious signs of fraud is unfamiliar or suspicious activity in your...
Fraud Prevention
What to Do If You Get Scammed: A Step-by-Step Guide
Scams and cybercrime are on the rise, costing Americans nearly $21 billion in 2026 alone, according to the FBI’s annual crime report. Knowing what steps to take if you’ve been targeted by a scammer can make all the difference in protecting your finances and personal information. If you think you’ve encountered a scam or accidentally shared sensitive information, here’s what you should do right away: 1. Stop All Contact Cease all communication with the scammer immediately. Do not respond to...
Fraud Prevention
Compromised Phone? Discover Your Options with These Resources and Tips
Just like a computer our cell phones are at risk of being compromised by malware, viruses and fraudsters. If you think your phone has been compromised or if you are just looking for tips about keeping it secure, we have some tips and resources below. If a fraudster has gained access to your phone through malware, an app you downloaded, or other means, you have a few options: Turn your phone off: This will prevent fraudsters and malware from accessing anything on the device. Turn Airplane mode...
Fraud Prevention
D.L. Evans Bank Blog
Worth Your Interest
How do I check my credit report or place a freeze on my credit?
Visit annualcreditreport.com to request your free online credit report at least once a year to review and check for fraudulent activities.
Contact the three credit agencies to place a freeze on your credit report and remember that if you want to lift the credit freeze you will need to reach out to all three agencies again.
o Equifax®: Call 800-349-9960 or visit the Equifax® website
o Experian®: Call 888-397-3742 or visit the Experian® website
o TransUnion®: Call 1-800-916-8800 or visit the TransUnion® website
How can I verify if a charity or business is legitimate before making a donation or payment?
Research the charity or business through trusted sources like the Better Business Bureau’s Charity Search or Business Search, Charity Navigator, or official state registries, and avoid donating or paying through unusual methods like gift cards or wire transfers.
How can I protect my bank account from unauthorized access or fraud?
Use strong, unique passwords, enable account alerts, monitor your account regularly, and never share your login information—contact your local D.L. Evans Bank immediately if you notice any suspicious activity.
What are the top 5 things I can do to avoid fraud?
Never share your personal or account information with anyone you don’t know or trust, especially over the phone, email, or text.
Be cautious with links and attachments in emails or text messages—only click if you are sure the source is legitimate.
Monitor your accounts regularly for any unauthorized or suspicious activity.
Use strong, unique passwords and update them regularly for your online and mobile banking accounts.
Avoid logging into online or mobile banking on unfamiliar devices, only access your accounts from devices you trust to help protect your personal information and prevent unauthorized access.
How does D.L. Evans Bank protect customers from fraud?
D.L. Evans Bank uses advanced security measures, including encryption, multi-factor authentication, and real-time fraud monitoring to help protect your accounts. Read about our security practices on our Fraud Prevention Resources page.
How do I know it's D.L. Evans Bank contacting me about possible fraud?
A legitimate fraud alert from D.L. Evans Bank will always come from a 5-digit number—either 20733 or 37268—not from a regular 10-digit phone number. Our texts will never include links and will only ask you to reply with “Yes,” “No,” “Help,” or “Stop.”
Fraud-related phone calls may come from Fiserv, our trusted partner. These calls will only ask for your zip code and simple “yes” or “no” responses to verify transactions. If you confirm a transaction is fraudulent, you’ll be transferred to an agent who will verify your identity before proceeding. Neither D.L. Evans Bank nor Fiserv will ever ask for your PIN or the 3-digit security code on your card.
Be aware that scammers can spoof caller IDs and may try to trick you into giving out sensitive information. If you’re ever unsure about a message or call, do not respond—contact your local branch or call the number on the back of your card to verify. You can also use the My Cards feature in our mobile app or online banking to temporarily deactivate your card if you suspect fraud.
We’re Here to Help
Frequently Asked Questions
Report scams and access fraud prevention and recovery resources.
Internet Crime Complaint Center
Report internet crime and find cybercrime prevention resources.
Step-by-step recovery plans if your identity is stolen.
U.S. Postal Inspection Service
Report mail fraud and access mail theft prevention tips.
Your free annual credit report from all three bureaus.
Verify the credentials of investment professionals and firms.
Consumer Financial Protection Bureau
Guidance on protecting your finances from fraud.
Scam alerts and resources, especially for seniors.
Research and report scams affecting your area.
Business resources including the North Star Cybersecurity Program.
