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Please be on the lookout for scams posing as First Interstate in email, in text messages, on the phone, and in the mail. Scammers will use all these touchpoints and more to steal your information.
In a recent example, clients have reported receiving a text message claiming their card had been shut off. This is a scam. The text features a link and encourages the recipient to use the link to check if their card is affected.
This text message is not from First Interstate. First Interstate does not send links in text messages. First Interstate also has a policy of never asking a client for personal financial information such as account numbers, balances, PINs, or credit card numbers via email or text.
If you receive this text or a similar message, do not respond to it or click on any links within such a message. Do not provide your account information or any other personal information. Please forward any suspicious emails you receive to phishing@fib.com.
Scams such as these – called phishing – use emails and websites to trick users into disclosing private account or login information.
To avoid falling victim to this or any scam, remember these tips:
- Do not reply or click on a link in an unsolicited text message or email. If you receive a text or email that warns you an account will be shut down unless you confirm your personal information, contact the company cited in the email using a telephone number you know is legitimate.
- If the text or email claims to be from First Interstate, you can contact our Financial Crimes Risk Management Department at 1-866-212-4711 or email phishing@fib.com.
- Learn more about reporting fraud at First Interstate.
- Do not respond to emails, phone calls, or texts asking for personal information, such as account number, usernames and passwords, Social Security Number, etc.
- Delete emails from unknown sources.
- Do not open a program, file, or attachment unless you know it is legitimate. Even when you are confident an attachment is legitimate, it is still a good idea to run it through an updated virus scan program.
Many email scams will use dramatic subject titles, counting on recipients to be curious and open these emails. These emails can be badly written, and they frequently use shortened or misspelled URLs or sender addresses. Here are some red flags to watch for:
- Suspicious email address
- Misspelled words
- Scare tactics
- Links with suspicious URLs
- Attachments
If you think the communication may be legitimate, it’s always safest to call the institution – whether it’s First Interstate, a retailer, a government entity, or more. Use a phone number or email address you know is authentic and reach out for help. All these institutions will be able to help you determine if the issue is real.