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For Your Life March 2, 2023

Smishing Attempts Are on the Uptick 

Like many financial institutions, Old National has recently seen an increase in “smishing” fraud attempts directed at our clients. Initiated by text, smishing is a type of fraud designed to trick the intended victim into revealing sensitive information.

Smishing often has the following components: 

  • A bank client receives a text message that appears to be from their bank. It asks them to verify a recent purchase they did not actually make by responding with “Yes” or “No.”
  • The client texts back “No” to indicate they did not make the purchase.
  • Shortly after, the fraudster calls from what appears to be a number associated with the bank and identifies themselves as a bank employee.
  • The fraudster then indicates they can help with the fraud reported in the text message and asks for sensitive information, such as:
    • Debit card number
    • Online banking username
    • Online banking password
    • Code that was sent to your phone and/or email

How can you avoid becoming a victim of a smishing attack?

First, don’t rely on your phone’s caller identification feature to legitimate a caller. Scammers can fake or spoof any number and make it appear as if your bank (or another company) is calling.

Second, please remember that Old National Bank will never initiate a call and ask for any of the following:

  • Social Security Number
  • Account number
  • Online banking username
  • Account passwords
  • Debit card number
  • One Time Passcodes
  • Debit card number

When you initiate a call to Old National Bank, we may to ask for personal information to ensure we are speaking with you, the client, and not someone pretending to be you.

Old National also sends fraud alert text messages to our clients. If you receive a fraud alert text message from Old National, you should:

  • Slow down, as scammers often try to create a sense of urgency.
  • Don’t click links in the text message especially if they are directing you to log into your account.
  • Never send any type of personal or account information via text message. This includes usernames, passwords, account numbers or one-time passcodes.
  • Check your account for information related to the reported transaction

If you receive a call and are unsure about its authenticity, hang up and call Old National at a number on the back of your debit card or that you have used before. You can always visit your banking center as well.

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