Strengthen Your Accounts
Use strong, unique passwords and enable multi-factor authentication when it is available.
Fraud Prevention
Fraud & Security Center
Helping You Protect What Matters
Fraud and scams are constantly changing, but knowing what to look for can make a big difference. At MA Bank, protecting our customers goes beyond safeguarding accounts. We want to help you recognize suspicious activity, understand common scams, and know what to do when something just doesn't feel right.
Stop. Think. Verify. And when in doubt, pause and talk to us.
Pause Before Responding
Think It Might Be Fraud?
If you receive an unexpected call, text, or email asking you to send money, provide personal information, click a link, or take action on your account, pause before responding.
Scammers often create a sense of urgency and may impersonate a bank, government agency, business, or even someone you know.
Independently verify the request.
A familiar name or phone number is not enough to prove a communication is legitimate. If you are unsure, end the conversation and contact the organization using information you know and trust.
Before you click, send, or share, contact MA Bank.
Know the Red Flags
Be Cautious When Someone:
A scam can begin with a phone call, text, email, social media message, or online advertisement. The details may change, but many scams use the same techniques.
Pressures you to act immediately.
Asks you to move money to “protect” it.
Requests payment through gift cards, cryptocurrency, or a wire transfer.
Asks for personal or financial information unexpectedly.
Sends an unexpected link or attachment and asks you to click it.
Claims to represent an organization you trust but insists you use the contact information provided.
Uses threats, fear, or an unexpected emergency to keep you from stopping to think.
Directs you not to speak with anyone about the situation.
Our Best Advice?
Slow down.
A legitimate situation can withstand a moment to verify it. If someone claims to be from MA Bank and you're unsure, end the conversation and contact the Bank using a phone number you know and trust.
Does This Sound Familiar?
Recognize the Situation
You don't have to know the name of a scam to recognize its warning signs. If one of these situations sounds familiar, pause before taking action and talk to us.
Someone says they're from my bank
A criminal may pretend to be from your bank and tell you there is suspicious activity on your account. The goal may be to obtain personal or account information or convince you to move money. Caller information can be manipulated, so do not rely on caller ID alone.
Protect yourself: Do not use the phone number or link provided in an unexpected message. Contact the bank independently.
I received a suspicious email or text
Phishing messages are designed to look legitimate while attempting to get you to reveal information, open a harmful attachment, or visit a malicious website.
Watch for: Unexpected links or attachments, requests for passwords or account information, urgent warnings about your account, or messages that do not seem quite right.
Someone wants me to move money
Be cautious when anyone unexpectedly tells you to move money to protect it or directs you to send funds through a wire transfer, gift card, or cryptocurrency.
Protect yourself: Stop before sending money and independently verify the request.
Something looks wrong with a check
Checks can be stolen, altered, or counterfeited.
Simple precautions matter: Keep checks secure, review account activity regularly, and contact MA Bank promptly if something looks unfamiliar.
I'm concerned someone I know is being scammed
Impersonation scams, tech-support schemes, investment fraud, and other forms of financial exploitation can affect people in our communities.
One of the best protections is conversation. If a request for money seems unusual, talk with someone you trust before acting.
Someone is asking me to invest
Be especially cautious when someone you meet online encourages you to send money or cryptocurrency for an investment opportunity. Cryptocurrency transactions can move quickly, making it especially important to stop and independently verify the request before sending funds.
Never let urgency replace verification.
Simple Ways to Protect Yourself
Make Security Part of Your Routine
Everyday precautions can help protect your accounts, personal information, and money.
Review Your Accounts
Regularly review account activity and investigate transactions you do not recognize.
Don't Trust Caller ID Alone
A familiar-looking number does not guarantee the caller is legitimate.
Think Before You Click
Do not click an unexpected link simply because a message appears to come from someone familiar. Verify the communication independently.
Don't Let Someone Rush You
Urgency, fear, and pressure are common warning signs. Take a moment and verify before sending money or providing information.
Meet MA Bank's Fraud & Security Officer
Duke Olinger
Fraud & Security Officer
Your Local Resource for Fraud & Security
Keeping our customers and communities' safe takes more than technology. It takes people who know what to look for and are ready to help. It's a team effort.
Duke Olinger serves as MA Bank's Fraud & Security Officer and brings more than 30 years of law-enforcement and security-management experience to the role. His work with MA Bank supports fraud prevention, security initiatives, and risk-management efforts across the Bank's locations.
"If something doesn't feel right, stop and take a closer look. Before sending money or providing personal information, contact MA Bank or another trusted source for assistance. We would much rather help you verify a request than see you become the victim of a scam. Our goal is to help protect you, your personal information, and the money you have worked hard to earn and save. Preventing fraud is a team effort, and together we can help stop a loss before it happens."
Not Sure If Something Is a Scam?
Talk to Us Before You Act.
Our team can help you take a closer look at a suspicious situation and determine the appropriate next step.
Act Quickly
What To Do If You Think You've Been Scammed
If money, account information, passwords, or personal information may be involved, taking action quickly can help limit further harm.
1
Contact MA Bank
Contact the Bank as soon as possible if money or account information may be involved.
2
Stop Communicating
Stop communicating with the suspected scammer.
3
Secure Your Accounts
Change compromised passwords and secure affected accounts. Do not share new passwords or codes.
4
Keep the Evidence
Save relevant emails, texts, phone numbers, receipts, and transaction information.
5
Report the Fraud
Report suspected fraud through the appropriate official reporting channel.
Report Fraud
Official Reporting Channels
Use trusted, official resources when reporting suspected fraud, internet-enabled crime, or identity theft.
MA Bank
Contact MA Bank if money, account information, or an MA Bank account may be involved.
Federal Trade Commission
Report suspected fraud to the Federal Trade Commission.
Report Fraud ↗FBI Internet Crime Complaint Center
Report internet-enabled fraud and cybercrime to the FBI Internet Crime Complaint Center.
Visit IC3 ↗IdentityTheft.gov
Find identity theft information and recovery resources.
Visit IdentityTheft.gov ↗Fraud Education for Groups & Organizations
MA Bank provides resources to help educate customers when handling suspicious communications. Customized in-person fraud education programs may also be available for groups or organizations upon request.
Fraud Education & Trusted Resources
Learn More About Protecting Yourself
These organizations provide additional consumer fraud, identity theft, and cybersecurity information.
American Bankers Association
Consumer fraud awareness resources, including bank impostor scams, check fraud, and resources for older adults.
Visit Resource ↗Federal Trade Commission
Consumer information about scams, warning signs, and reporting fraud.
Visit Resource ↗FBI Internet Crime Complaint Center
Information and reporting resources for internet-enabled fraud and cybercrime.
Visit Resource ↗IdentityTheft.gov
Identity theft information and recovery resources.
Visit Resource ↗CISA
Cybersecurity guidance on phishing, passwords, multi-factor authentication, and other online security practices.
Visit Resource ↗