This type of scam is called spoofing, and banks and credit unions across the country are being “spoofed.” The scammers’ goal is simple: get you to move your money before you realize what’s happening.
The caller may claim there is suspicious activity on your account, then pressure you to act immediately. In recent cases, scammers have directed financial institutions’ customers to send money through Zelle® or wire transfers. Once a wire is sent, those funds can be extremely difficult or impossible to recover.
STOP BEFORE YOU SEND
If you receive an unexpected call about fraud on your account:
- Do not send money. Harborstone will never tell you to transfer money through Zelle® or a wire to “protect” your account.
- Hang up. Don’t stay on the line while the caller pressures you to act.
- Call us directly. Use the number on the back of your card, in our mobile app or on our official website: 1-800-523-3641.
- Never share security codes. Do not give out passwords, PINs, one-time verification codes or other account credentials.
- Ignore the caller ID. Scammers can make a fake call look legitimate.
- Slow it down. Urgency is one of a scammer’s favorite tools. A real fraud investigation does not require you to rush money out of your account.
A few extra minutes of verification could save you from losing thousands of dollars. If someone claiming to be from Harborstone tells you to move money, stop. Hang up. Call us directly at 1-800-523-3641.