Fraud Protection

Fight fraud

Follow the tips on our 'Stay Protected' page and be aware of any suspicious activity on your bank or credit card statements or on your credit report. It is important that you report these activities quickly in order to put a stop to the fraud and minimize the impact these activities have on your credit score and finances.

Report Fraud

Report any suspected fraud or identity theft activity concerning your American Bank accounts or services immediately to Customer Service from 7 am to 6 pm weekdays. You should also contact the following agencies:
Federal Trade Commission (FTC)
Identity Theft Hotline: (877) ID-THEFT
www.ftc.gov/idtheft

Credit Bureau Fraud Hotlines

Equifax: (800) 525-6285
Experian: (888) 397-3742
TransUnion: (800) 680-7289

Credit Card Companies

Contact your credit card companies if you suspect your credit card numbers have been compromised. Their numbers can be found on the back of your credit cards.

Current Fraud Alerts

Below is a list of the most active and dangerous fraud attacks discovered around the world. Staying informed is the best way to avoid falling victim to one of these scams.

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Cybercriminals are using the uncertainty surrounding the Coronavirus (COVID-19) to sell bogus products or use fake emails, texts, and social media posts to take your money and get your personal information.

Follow these tips to help avoid COVID-19 scammers:

  • Don’t click on links from sources you don’t know. It could download a virus onto your computer or device.
  • Watch for unsolicited emails claiming to be from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention or other experts saying they have information about the virus.
  • Ignore online offers for vaccinations. If there is a true medical breakthrough in the prevention, treatment, or cure for COVID-19, it will be unlikely that you'll hear about it for the first time through an ad or sales pitch.
  • Do your homework when it comes to donations, whether through charities or crowdfunding sites. If someone wants donations in cash, by gift card, or by wiring money, avoid doing so.
  • Be alert to “investment opportunities.” The U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) is warning people about online promotions claiming that the products or services of publicly-traded companies can prevent, detect, or cure COVID-19 and that the stock of these companies will dramatically increase in value as a result.
  • Do not reveal personal or financial information in email. Always consider why someone wants your information and if it is an appropriate request.
  • Do not rush or feel under pressure. Scammers use emergencies to get people to make decisions quickly. Always take time to think about a request for your personal information, and whether the request is appropriate.

For more information, see texasattorneygeneral.gov.

“Vishing” is when a fraudster uses the telephone to scam a user into providing private or confidential information such as online banking credentials. We have been alerted to an increase in vishing scams occurring. Users report that they are receiving a phone call from an imposter “Security Officer of a Bank” asking them to confirm suspicious transactions on their account. Once they confirm the transactions are not valid, the imposter proceeds to “verify” the end user by asking them to provide their Online Banking credentials including Out of Band Authentication codes. The fraudster then gains access to the user's accounts and can complete fraudulent transactions.

Remember that American Bank will never ask you for your login credentials. If you receive a phone call that appears to be fraudulent, please call us directly to report the incident. Make sure you Stay Protected and know how to limit your risk of fraud and what steps to take if you become a victim.  

Tech Support Fraud involves a criminal claiming to provide customer, security, or technical support in an effort to defraud unwitting individuals. This type of fraud continues to be a problematic and widespread scam.

Criminals may pose as a security, customer, or technical support representative offering to resolve such issues as a compromised e-mail or bank account, a virus on a computer, or to assist with a software license renewal. Some recent complaints involve criminals posing as technical support representatives for computer or printer companies, cable companies, or government agents, even offering to recover supposed losses related to tech support fraud schemes or to request financial assistance with “apprehending” criminals.

Initial contact with the victim typically occurs through the following methods:

  • Telephone: A victim receives an unsolicited telephone call from an individual claiming the victim’s device or computer is infected with a virus or is sending error messages to the caller. Callers are generally reported to have strong, foreign accents.
  • Search Engine Advertising: Individuals in need of tech support may use online search engines to find technical support companies. Criminals pay to have their fraudulent tech support company’s link show higher in search results hoping victims will choose one of the top links in search results.
  • Pop-up message: The victim receives an on-screen pop-up message claiming a virus has been found on their computer. In order to receive assistance, the message requests the victim call a phone number associated with the fraudulent tech support company.
  • Locked screen on a device: The victim’s device displays a frozen, locked screen with a phone number and instructions to contact a fraudulent tech support company. Some victims have reported being redirected to alternate web sites before the locked screen occurs. 
  • Phishing e-mail warning: The victim receives a phishing e-mail warning of a possible intrusion to their computer or an e-mail warning of a fraudulent account charge to their bank accounts or credit cards. The e-mail provides a phone number for the recipient to contact the fraudulent tech support.

Tech support fraud was originally an attempt by criminals to gain access to devices to extort payment for fraudulent services. However, criminals are creating new techniques and versions of schemes to advance and perpetuate fraud. Never give unknown, unverified persons remote access to devices or accounts and remember that legitimate customer, security, or tech support companies will not initiate unsolicited contact with individuals.  You should also ensure all computer anti-virus, security, and malware protection is up to date. Some victims report their anti-virus software provided warnings prior to attempt.  Read our Identity Theft Safety Tips for more information on how to fight fraud and what to do if you become a victim.  

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