First Community Bank joins campaign to warn customers about online phishing scams

First Community Bank has again joined the American Bankers Association and banks nationwide to promote an industry-wide campaign educating consumers about the persistent threat of phishing scams.

The FTC estimates that consumers lost $8.8 billion to phishing and other fraud in 2022, an increase of more than 65% compared to 2021. To combat phishing, the award-winning  #BanksNeverAskThat campaign uses attention-grabbing humor and other engaging content to empower consumers to identify bogus bank communications asking for sensitive information like their passwords and social security numbers.

“First Community Bank is proud to stand alongside the American Bankers Association and banks across the nation in the #BanksNeverAskThat campaign,” said Jennifer Wyatt, vice president, information security risk officer for First Community Bank. “Phishing scams are a growing threat, and we’re committed to empowering consumers with the knowledge to protect themselves. In an era where scammers target sensitive information, like passwords and social security numbers, we believe humor and engaging content can be powerful tools to help people stay vigilant.”

“By impersonating a bank, a scammer can steal thousands of dollars with just one text message, phone call or email,” said Paul Benda, senior vice president, operational risk and cybersecurity at ABA. “With the strong support of participating banks like First Community Bank, the #BanksNeverAskThat campaign  seeks to turn the tables by arming consumers with the information they need to outsmart the scammers  and protect their money.”

First Community Bank, along with banks from across the U.S.,​ joined forces with ABA and kicked off this year’s updated campaign on Oct​. 2 to mark the beginning of National Cybersecurity Awareness Month. Throughout the month, First Community Bank will share eye-catching and engaging short videos and consumer tips on social media and in bank branches designed to highlight common phishing schemes. Because cybersecurity education and fraud awareness can often be dull and forgettable to many consumers, the #BanksNeverAskThat campaign is designed to be bright and bold with a bit of comedy.

“Would you rather give up sugar or salt?” one of the campaign’s social media posts asks users. “Banks  texting you about sweet vs. savory would be just as weird as banks texting you a link to login, ‘cause #BanksNeverAskThat.’ ”

The campaign’s short videos offer similarly ridiculous scenarios like wallpapering a room with cash,  roasting marshmallows over a cash fire, and recycling cash on garbage day to remind people they stand to lose real money if they aren’t vigilant. Consumers are directed to www.BanksNeverAskThat.com  where they will find a new interactive quiz, the “Scam City” video game, engaging videos, and tips on how to spot phishing scams.