Scam Alert: Fraudsters Are Impersonating Prairie State Bank & Trust
Prairie State Bank & Trust has been made aware of fraudulent text messages claiming to be from our bank regarding suspicious debit card activity.
These messages are NOT from Prairie State Bank & Trust.
Cybercriminals continue to find new ways to target consumers, and unfortunately, financial institutions are among their favorite targets. Prairie State Bank & Trust has recently become aware of fraudulent text messages claiming to be from our bank regarding suspicious debit card transactions.
These messages are designed to create urgency and convince customers to respond before taking time to think.
How the scam works
Customers receive a text message claiming there has been suspicious activity on their account. The message may ask them to reply with a number, click a link, or wait for a representative to call.
While these messages may appear legitimate, they often contain subtle warning signs such as:
* Misspelled words
* Incorrect capitalization
* References to the wrong financial institution
* Unusual grammar
* Requests for sensitive information
* Unexpected phone calls following the text
Unfortunately, scammers are becoming increasingly convincing. Some even know your name or may “spoof” a phone number to make it appear as though the call is coming from the bank.
How to protect yourself
If you receive an unexpected text, email, or phone call claiming to be from Prairie State Bank & Trust:
Stop before you respond.
Never provide:
* Online Banking usernames or passwords
* One-time authentication codes
* Debit card PINs
* Social Security numbers
* Account numbers
* Security questions or answers
If someone pressures you to act immediately, treat it as a red flag.
Know how Prairie State Bank & Trust communicates
Your security is important to us.
If we need to contact you regarding your accounts, we will NEVER ask for your online banking password, one-time verification codes, PIN, or other sensitive credentials through an unsolicited call, text, or email.
If you ever have questions about whether a communication is legitimate:
* Hang up.
* Do not reply to the text.
* Do not click any links.
* Call Prairie State Bank & Trust using a phone number listed on our official website, the back of your debit card, or visit your nearest branch.
When in doubt, contact us directly
Scammers count on customers reacting quickly. The safest approach is to independently contact Prairie State Bank & Trust before taking any action.
Our Fraud and Customer Service teams are here to help verify suspicious activity and answer your questions.
Protecting your financial information is a partnership, and together we can help prevent fraud before it happens.