Financial scams and cyber fraud are no longer just complex corporate hackings or distant threats; they are targeted attacks landing directly in your text messages, emails, and phone calls every single day. Scammers are becoming more convincing, persistent, and manipulative—often using psychological pressure to exploit your trust or fear.
In Episode 13 of CBC Connect, we sit down with Brooke Franks, Vice President, Branch Administrator, and Information Security Officer at CBC Bank. Brooke breaks down the latest fraudulent schemes targeting South Georgia residents and local businesses, offering practical steps to safeguard your hard-earned assets.
The Evolution of Everyday Fraud
Fraudsters rely heavily on creating artificial urgency and fear. Rather than breaching complex firewalls, they attempt to bypass human skepticism.
Common Red Flags to Watch Out For:
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Unsolicited Calls Asking for Your Voice: Answering unknown calls and simply saying "Yes" when asked to confirm your name can be recorded and leveraged using deepfake technology to mimic your voice.
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Demands for Gift Cards: Legitimate institutions, banks, or government agencies will never request payment via gift cards. Gift cards are untraceable and used as a form of money laundering.
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"Get Rich Quick" or Overpayment Schemes: Any arrangement requiring you to deposit a check and return a portion of the funds back to the sender is an absolute scam.
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Pressure Under Duress: Scammers frequently stay on the phone with victims while they enter bank branches to withdraw cash, instructing them not to talk to bank staff.
What are "smishing" scams, and how should you handle them?
Smishing refers to fraudulent text messages sent by scammers attempting to trick you into clicking malicious links or revealing sensitive personal information. If you receive an urgent text message or link from a sender not in your contact list, do not reply or click any links. Simply block the sender, delete the message, or directly log in to your official account or app to verify if a legitimate message exists.
What is the "tech support" or "fake freeze" scam?
The fake freeze or tech support scam occurs when a pop-up locks your computer or tablet screen, warning that your device has been infected with a virus or illegally compromised. It displays a phone number demanding that you call immediately for assistance. Scammers use this tactic to induce panic and demand payment or remote access. If this happens, do not call the number displayed. Instead, contact your local bank or an authorized technician directly.
How CBC Bank Protects You
To safeguard your accounts against unauthorized transactions and check fraud, CBC Bank utilizes active daily monitoring tools:
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FedCheck Reporter: This tool emails business and retail customers a daily PDF showing the front and back of clearing checks. This allows you to quickly verify payees, dollar amounts, and endorsements to flag unauthorized items before they affect your balance.
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Verafin Implementation: An advanced, bank-wide behavioral analytics tool that scans transaction sequences, dollar amounts, and historical patterns to identify anomalous activity in real time.
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Local Face-to-Face Relationship Security: CBC Bank staff conduct manual reviews of incoming items. When tellers ask questions about unusual cash withdrawals, they are exercising due diligence to ensure you are not acting under external duress or threat.
What to Do If You Suspect Fraud
If you realize you have accidentally clicked a link, provided sensitive information, or suspect unauthorized account activity, act immediately:
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Contact Your Bank Right Away: Do not hesitate out of fear or embarrassment. Immediate action allows bankers to freeze online access, issue fresh debit cards, or place holds on compromised checks.
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Utilize Guaranteed Windows: Alerting your bank within tight operational windows allows them to reject or return fraudulent checks before long-term financial loss occurs.
Listen to the Full Conversation
Listen or watch the full episode to learn more.
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