Recognizing Fraudulent Text Messages

With fraudulent text messages impersonating bank alerts on the rise, it is more important than ever for our customers to know how to recognize these scam attempts and what to do—or more importantly, what not to do—to keep your information and money safe.

Identifying Legitimate Kish Bank Texts

• It is critical to remember that the ONLY text messages you will ever receive from Kish Bank are alerts that you have chosen to set up in Digital Banking. These texts are informational only and do NOT require any actions—they will never ask you to respond or click on a link.
• If Kish ever detects a suspicious transaction that we want to verify, you will ALWAYS receive a phone call or email from us—never a text message.
• If Kish calls you to verify banking activity, we may ask you authentication questions such as Date of Birth or last four digits of your SSN. We will NEVER ask you for your full SSN, Digital Banking login credentials, Multi-Factor Authentication Codes, or other sensitive information. 

Identifying Fraudulent Texts

• Fraudulent texts that impersonate banks are typically designed to look like banking alerts, warning you of a large or unauthorized transaction, suspicious activity, or a suspended/locked account.
• They will often create a sense of urgency and ask you to take action by replying, clicking on a link, or calling a phone number—all with the goal of getting you to provide personal information that may allow them to access your Digital Banking account and, ultimately, your money.
• Sometimes, these attempts come in the form of (or may be followed up by) a phone call, where the scammer will attempt to get information from you.

Example of a fraudulent text:

What to Do

• If you receive a text message claiming to be from Kish Bank or another financial institution, NEVER click any links or reply to the message.
• NEVER provide your Digital Banking login credentials, security questions/answers, or Multi-Factor Authentication Codes to anyone who contacts you. Kish will NEVER ask you for this information via text, phone call, or email.
• Always respond to unsolicited or unusual contact by calling our Client Solutions Center at 1-800-981-5474, or by calling another published Kish Bank phone number, such as your local branch or trusted banker.
• Learn more about how to protect yourself from fraud.