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Be on the lookout for scammers impersonating First Interstate customer service.
Scammers are always creating new ways to steal your money. One of the recent scams utilizing peer-to-peer payment services is what’s known as the “Pay Yourself Scam.” The gist of the scam is that someone pretending to be a representative from First Interstate tells you that there has been a fraudulent transaction and in order to stop it, you need to send yourself money with Zelle®. That sense of urgency really works in the scammers’ favor and gets unsuspecting consumers to act immediately.
The best way to avoid this scam is to know what to look for. Here’s how it unfolds:
- It starts with a text message from a scammer that looks like a fraud alert from First Interstate. It’s looks real and urgent, but it’s fake!
- If you respond to the text message and engage the scammer, you’ll receive a call from a number that may appear to originate from our Client Contact Center number. These swindlers are using a cyber deception called spoofing or vishing that makes an incoming phone call appear to be from a trusted phone number.
- The scammer pretends to be a First Interstate customer service representative and offers to stop the alleged fraud by directing you to send money to your bank account with Zelle® — through a special phone number provided by the scammer.
- In reality, the scammer is tricking you into sending money to their bank account.
Staying safe in a world of scammers
How can you avoid being tricked? Always keep these tips front of mind:
- First Interstate will never ask a client to send money using Zelle® or any other person-to-person money transfer service.
- Never discuss account numbers, PINs, or other personal information with anyone who contacts you, even if they say they are from your bank, credit card, or money transfer app.
- If a caller claims there’s a problem with your account and needs your account information, hang up and dial the First Interstate Client Contact Center at 855-342-3400 or reach out to your local banker.
- Don't call any phone number in a text, email, or voicemail. It will connect you directly with the scammers. Always look up the number online or review the number listed on your debit or credit card.
- Do not respond to text messages. Don't click on text message links from people you don't know, even if it’s pretending to be your bank, credit card, or money transfer app. These links can be deceiving and direct you to a fake site or expose your device to malware.
Better safe than sorry
Unlike debit and credit cards, there are no chargeback protections on person-to-person money app transfers. Neither First Interstate nor Zelle® offers a protection program for any authorized transactions clients make with Zelle®. Once the payment is made to a scammer, there is little legal recourse for the client who authorized the payment – even if you were tricked, persuaded, or pressured into making the transaction.
Only send money to people you know and trust.
Visit our Safety and Security section to understand what is risky and how to avoid falling for a scam. If you received a questionable call, text, email, or cash app request, report suspicious activity immediately.
Zelle® and Zelle® related marks are wholly owned by Early Warning Services, LLC and are used herein under license.